Texas State Women’s Basketball Prepares for Pac-12 Move
The Bobcats enter a new conference era with a revamped roster featuring ten new players for the upcoming season.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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Texas State women's basketball is transitioning to the Pac-12 conference, shifting their focus toward a new level of competition. The team is integrating 10 new players alongside three returners as they aim to improve upon last season's 11-19 record.
Why it matters
This move to the Pac-12 marks a strategic expansion for the program, requiring coaches to prioritize increased size and physicality to compete in a higher-tier conference. The updated roster reflects an intentional effort to build depth in the paint.
The roster features two 6-foot-6 post players and 6-foot-1 forward Kyra Anderson to bolster interior size. Last season, Saniya Burks averaged 14.4 points per game while shooting 31.5% from 3-point range and attempting 2.93 free throws per game.
The players
Chris Kielsmeier
He serves as the head coach for the Texas State women's basketball program.
Saniya Burks
She is a returning player for the team who averaged 14.4 points per game last year.
Crystal Henderson
She is a notable player who averaged 16.7 points per game last season.
Kyra Anderson
She is a 6-foot-1 forward joining the team this season.
The details
Coaches are implementing a style centered on physical play and drawing frequent fouls to maximize free-throw opportunities. The team continues to rely on core contributors like Burks and is testing new lineup combinations during upcoming exhibition play.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: The team plays an exhibition game against UTRGV.
November 4, 2026: The season opener against Long Island University begins.
January 6, 2027: Texas State plays its first game in the Pac-12 conference.
Season Trajectory
Joining the Pac-12 significantly elevates the program's profile and raises the difficulty of the conference schedule compared to previous seasons. This transition mandates a more physically imposing roster to compete against the established standards of a major conference.
The addition of two 6-foot-6 post players changes the team's defensive rebounding potential and interior scoring threat significantly. Readers should watch for how the high volume of new roster additions impacts chemistry during the early non-conference schedule.
The takeaway
The program is undergoing a massive personnel overhaul to prepare for the rigorous demands of Pac-12 basketball. Fans should expect a more physical brand of play as the coaching staff emphasizes paint presence and foul-drawing tactics.
Further reading
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Live Poll
Does moving to a more competitive athletic conference generally improve the quality of a local team?
