until Texas vs Kansas

Thursday, October 13

 

Men's Basketball Preview

With all the current football success, it is hard to turn our attention to another sport. But we must, as men’s basketball teams from across the country kick off practice with Midnight Madness this Friday at, you guessed it, midnight. Like our football team, this year’s squad enters this season with a legitimate shot at the national title.

Things have never looked brighter for a Texas basketball team. From ESPN.com: “Texas is getting ready to ascend to the top of the Big 12. Not just next season, but beyond -- and for the foreseeable future.” Ten separate pre-season rankings have Texas in the top 5. The Big 12 coaches just
voted Texas as the team to beat for the first time in the history of the conference. Texas is recruiting McDonald’s All Americans year in and year out and convincing Texas talent like Daniel Gibson and Lamarcus Aldridge to stay in-state. Rick Barnes has already secured commitments from Kevin Durant (ranked #2 nationally by Scouts.com) and from Harrison Smith (#8 in state by TexasHoops.com and former high school teammate of Daniel Gibson) for next season.

Last Season
The 2004-2005 season was a disappointing one for the coaches, the players, and the fans. Texas started fast, going 14-3 before being plagued by injuries and academic problems. The Horns ended the season losing eight of their final fourteen, for a season record of 20-11. Texas finished a mediocre fifth in the Big 12 at 9-8. Rick Barnes’ squad did make the NCAA tournament for a school record seventh straight year, but lost in the first round to ninth seeded Nevada in a very ugly and winnable game, 61-57.


The promise of last season was extinguished with the academic ineligibility of star forward PJ Tucker for the spring semester, and with nagging injuries to Kenton Paulino, Syd Harris, and Dion Dowell, as well as a season ending injury to star center Lamarcus Aldridge. Texas was able to secure its sixth straight 20-win season with a shocking regular season ending win at Oklahoma State that both secured a berth in the NCAA tournament and broke the nation’s longest home court winning streak at 29 games. Nonetheless, if you had to summarize last season's story in to one headline, it would probably read: "Potential Unrealized."

This Season
This year’s team is loaded with talent. The Longhorns return four starters from last year: point guard Daniel Gibson, small forward PJ Tucker, power forward Brad Buckman, and center Lamarcus Aldridge. Gibson may just be the best point guard in the country. He combines a quick first step with a reliable outside jump shot. He showed poise, leadership, and floor management throughout the season, but especially after the losses of Tucker and Aldridge. He didn’t play, look, or act like a true freshman. Gibson was at time turnover prone when trying to do too much, but with all his sidekicks back this season, look for Gibson to play smarter and challenge Aldridge for Big 12 Player of the Year.


Tucker can be the best player on the court at any time. He is an undersized power forward or a small forward without much of a game facing the basket. Even still, he is a player. He is the first guy you choose in a pick up game. He is strong, athletic, and simply knows how to score. Tucker flourished his freshman year near the basket repeatedly getting to the rim and making taller, slower defenders look silly. Barnes will likely use Tucker at both the small and power forward positions. PJ should challenge for first team All Big 12.

Buckman is the most experienced Longhorn on this year’s team. When his skin looks red, you know he's just getting started. He combines an underrated game facing the basket with the ability to bang with the biggest guys down low. Buckman can go for 20 points and 20 boards on any given night. He can also be a forgotten man and look as if he is only going through the motions on other nights. Brad is a valuable asset, but must work on keeping his head in the game and staying out of foul trouble.

Aldridge has more upside than any other Horn. Just as he was starting to find his way, he suffered a season ending hip injury against Nebraska in January. Aldridge was a stud in high school and even toyed with going pro after his senior year. He was not strong enough then but was certainly skilled enough. Lamarcus will continue upward on his learning curve having added toughness and weight this off season. Most promising is Rick Barnes' proclolmation that Aldridge is the hardest worker he's ever seen. By the end of the year, it could be a tough call for Big 12 Player of the Year if Gibson and Aldridge play to their potential.

Barnes has added some new fire power as well. JD Lewis is a 6-1 shooting guard transfer from Midland College and Craig Winder is a 6-2 shooting guard transfer from Cecil Community College in Maryland. Look for them to split time aside Gibson in the backcourt. Also new to this year’s team is 5-10 McNeil High School product AJ Abrams. Abrams terrorized Austin area teams for the past few seasons with his lightning quickness and ability to score from anywhere.


The 05-06 Horns also have solid backups. Swingman Dion Dowell returns. Dowell hopefully sharpened his basketball skills in the off season to go with his unlimited athletic ability. Former McDonald’s All American, Mike Williams also returns. Williams is a beast on the boards but must develop softer hands to further excel at the college level. Senior Kenton Paulino will help spell Gibson at the point. Paulino is a polar player: sometimes he looks like the best shooter on the team and sometimes he looks like he needs to practice dribbling with his left hand. Barnes will need consistent ball handling and the occasional outside three from Paulino. And last, Conner Atchley will provide a much needed front court sub. Atchley is a 6-9 redshirt freshman. He came to Austin last year highly touted but never played a minute.

Schedule
The NCAA committee likes teams to have quality non conference wins. Texas will certainly have plenty of opportunities this year. Texas has December meetings with Duke in New Jersey and with Tennessee in Austin, and January contests at Memphis and with Villanova at home. Duke is #1 in many preseason polls and returns almost everyone. Most polls also have Memphis and Villanova in the top ten. All those games occur before we venture into conference season. Texas and Oklahoma lead the Big 12 this season, with Kansas a step behind. OU was #1 on some lists before the off season transfers of point guard Drew Lavender and backup Lawrence Mackenzie. The Sooners should still challenge for the Big 12 title. Behind Kansas, expect tough squads from Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have the nation’s top recruiting class even with the loss of one to the NBA.

Strengths
Texas is experienced, deep, and talented. We have arguably the best point guard and best center in the conference, if not the nation. Barnes is a preacher and lover of defense. Last year’s team held opponents to a 39.4% field goal percentage. Barnes never allows anyone to play unless they play tough defense and rebound effectively. This year’s team is also very hungry after the struggles at the end of last season. I think we enter the season with something to prove. Tucker and Aldridge want to prove they are back. Buckman wants to go out on top and Gibson wants to show his freshman season was just the beginning.

Weaknesses
If Rick Barnes has a weakness, it is on offense. At times Texas reverts to a standstill offense predicated on the dribble drive. Only Gibson is particularly skilled in this area. Texas teams typically don’t move the ball extremely well in the half court and resort to outside jump shots. This year’s team has not yet proven it can hit the outside shot. Gone are deadly outside shooters Syd Harris and Kenny Taylor. Winder and Lewis must help Gibson score from the outside to prevent defenses from collapsing on Tucker, Buckman, and Aldridge.

Predictions
Much like the football team, this may be the most talented basketball team I have ever seen. Hopefully by the time the Final Four rolls around Texas will have an opportunity to do something seemingly impossible: hold three major sport national titles simultaneously. Imagine the College World Series winner, the Rose Bowl winner, and the Final Four champs all from the same school. Likely? No, but it's exciting that it's even possible. And for arguments sake, Texas is the only school in the country with a real shot. USC, Miami, LSU, and Florida State all have solid baseball and football teams. But none of them will be in the Final Four anytime soon. I predict we see greatness from Barnes and the boys this year. I see another 20 win season, a Big 12 regular season championship (13-3), and a Final Four appearance. I will hold off on the national champs prediction for now. However, cutting down the nets is not unrealistic.

First game: November 15th 7:30 PM vs. Southern at the Erwin Center in the first round of the Guardians Classic. See you there Horns fans.

Hook Em!

--AW--

Comments:
Corrected. Thanks.
 
Excellent summation. You said everything I would have said about our team and more.

I think we need to have a guy on our team named "Houston Jones." Do you think Mike Williams would consider changing his name? He looks like he could be a "Houston Jones."
 
If we had the baseball, basketball, and football championships at one time, there would be a possibility for some seriously awesome t-shirts and hats! It was seriously be the most glorious paraphernalia ever. Imagine a burnt orange tshirt with a longhorn on the back and on the front it says, "The Greatest School Ever" or "G.O.A.T."

Awesome. I would buy everything the Co-op could sell me.
 
I hope D Gib distributes down low.
I hope Aldridge goes strong to the hoop.
I hope PJ has 5 tutors right now.
I hope we beat the shit out of Duke, remembering our recent December debacles to highly ranked teams.
Go horns.
Jimmer
 
Do you kick-off Midnight madness in Texas? In Oklahoma we "tip-off" our basketball activities, as we recognize kicking the ball in basketball is a turnover.

Maybe the Sooners can give Texas better games in basketball than they did in football.

Texas #1 and Oklahoma #2 pre-season coaches poll. Should be a fun season.
 
I saw Klotz out tonight at Cuba Libre. I bought him and his cronies a round. Very cool guy and was very receptive to fans. He invited T Graham and I to join him at a table but we passed. He said UT has by far the best team he has ever seen this year and that a national championship is very legit.
Ok so that story was lame and it was lame because lets please keep our concentration on the fact that our football team has a good chance of bringing home a title.
Hook'em,
Holt
 
Утонет по шею
!!!
 
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