Vic Schaefer Returns to Mississippi State with No. 4 Texas in SEC Showdown

Mississippi State women’s basketball faces a challenging matchup against No. 4 Texas and former coach Vic Schaefer on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. CST. The game will be played at Moody Center in Austin, Texas and broadcast on SEC Network.

Schaefer’s Return to Starkville

This marks the second meeting between Mississippi State and Schaefer since he left the program in 2020. Last season, Texas defeated Mississippi State 68-64 at Humphrey Coliseum. Schaefer coached the Bulldogs from 2012-20, leading them to two national championship game appearances. His return to Mississippi State in February 2025 was described as emotional according to the Clarion Ledger.

Team Records and Recent Performance

Texas enters the game with a record of 25-3 overall and 10-3 in SEC play. Mississippi State is 18-9 overall and 5-8 in the SEC. Texas has suffered three losses this season to South Carolina, LSU, and Vanderbilt.

Injury Report

Neither team currently has any players listed on the injury report.

Mississippi State Schedule

Here are the next two games on Mississippi State’s schedule:

• February 26: at Texas A&M (7 p.m., SEC Network+)
• March 1: vs. LSU (3 p.m., SEC Network)

Prediction

Sam Sklar of the Clarion Ledger predicts a 78-69 victory for Texas.

About Vic Schaefer

Victor Ernest Schaefer (born March 2, 1961) is the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to his time at Texas, he coached Mississippi State from 2012 to 2020 and Sam Houston State from 1990 to 1997. According to Wikipedia, Schaefer has a career record of 462-208 (.690) and has received numerous coaching awards, including the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year in 2018.