In March Madness debut, Texas basketball's Madison Booker took control of the floor
Texas guard Madison Booker scored only eight points in her March Madness debut. She didn't light up the floor - that was Shaylee Gonzalez, who burnt Drexel with 21 points on the way to an 82-42 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
However, Booker still showcased what might be her most standout skill, dishing out a career-high 14 assists and managing the court at an elite level. It was an NCAA Tournament record for Texas and her passing in the third quarter saw the Longhorns leap out to a 74-32 lead by the end of it.
"Really unselfish and speaks volumes about the kid, who she is, how she sees the floor," Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. "Maybe not her best night shooting the ball, but she hadn't had a night like that and all season. And yet she still finds a way to help us win. That's what an All American does."
Booker's ability to grow up fast has been what led Texas to the No. 1 seed of the NCAA Tournament. Despite earning that honor, Schaefer was worried about how his team was acting after Selection Sunday.
"We just haven't had that edge...wasn't impressed with our shoot around. Wasn't impressed with yesterday's practice," Schaefer said. "That's what I'd like to see my team have. A little more focus and a little more edge to them."
That worry manifested on Sunday for the first half. Known for his high standards, Schaefer was unimpressed with a 19-12 lead after the first quarter. He felt slightly better entering half time with a 40-20 advantage. But the third is when Schaefer saw the team that he believes can win the championship.
And that team wasn't one where Booker was scoring. It was one where his point guard made one shot and delivered seven assists to her teammates.
The freshman relishes the role of conductor, enjoying the chess match of playmaking over the glory of finding her own bucket. It makes sense, considering her admiration of Rajon Rondo, one of the best passers basketball has ever seen.
"It brings me so much joy to see Shaylee for one just get confidence like that, and really keep shooting and keep finding her shot," Booker said.
Gonzales made all six of her shots in the third quarter, with Booker assisting on four of them. The entire Drexel team could see that the guard had the hot hand. It didn't matter to the conductor, who only had eyes for the best shooter on the floor.
After her third 3-pointer of the quarter, both players grinned and pointed right at each other.
"When she does that and she's on fire, I can give her the ball every time and smile at her when she makes it," Booker said.