Texas State enters Pac-12 with new faces and a physical identity

Texas State women's basketball players face a new reality this year. The Bobcats enter the 2026-27 season with a different conference alignment and a roster that includes ten new faces. The program moves into the Pac-12 after a previous campaign that ended with an 11-19 record. The team will test its preparation in an exhibition game against UTRGV on Thursday.

Head coach Chris Kielsmeier did not promise immediate perfection during media days. He told reporters that the group has only been practicing together for a short time. Five months prior to the current moment, the players did not know each other. Kielsmeier acknowledged that overcoming this initial gap is a challenge when facing opponents who have played together for longer.

"They do want to have success, no doubt," Kielsmeier said. "But the reality of it is that five months ago, none of us knew each other. That's what we've got to overcome with some teams this year that have been together for a long time."

The roster leans heavily on size and physicality. Kielsmeier retained forward Kyra Anderson, who stands 6-foot-1. The program also added two players who are 6-foot-6 posts. Freshman Addison Carr and transfer Lucija Milkovic from Seattle University join the front line. Most guards on the roster are listed taller than 5-foot-6, with the exception of Crystal Henderson from Georgia State.

Henderson and returning star Saniya Burks form the backcourt duo. The two players competed against each other earlier this year in the Sun Belt Conference before reuniting as teammates. Burks led the team in scoring last year with 14.4 points per game. She struggled with outside shooting in 2025, hitting 31.5% of her three-point attempts. Henderson averaged 16.7 points per game and ranked fourth in the Sun Belt for free-throw attempts.

Kielsmeier believes the two point guards will develop a chemistry that benefits the team. He described them as humble playmakers who prioritize winning over individual scoring. The coach noted that their gravity on the court could open opportunities for their teammates. Burks averaged 2.93 free-throw attempts per game last season, a number Kielsmeier wants to increase.

The Bobcats begin their regular season on Nov. 4 against Long Island University. Their first official Pac-12 contest is scheduled for Jan. 6. The new conference includes Gonzaga and Colorado State, both of which qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2026. Kielsmeier told his players to focus on their own work rather than worrying about external expectations or the actions of other coaches.

"I try to get them to understand; I've never spent a day of my life coaching, worrying about what everybody else is doing," Kielsmeier said. "You just go to work, and you don't worry about the outside noise."