Augustin Bids Farewell, Abrams Too?

To the surprise of not many, DJ Augustin declared for the NBA draft today. While he has not hired an agent, it was done more on the precaution of injury, not for the possibility of choosing to return. While Augustin did not come as a surprise, it was the declaration of AJ Abrams that caused some concern for fans on the Forty Acres.

Abrams, too, did not hire an agent, and is a much safer bet to return to school for his senior season. Even Abrams admitted that he is using his free pass during his junior season, to test the process, and see where he ranks. While Abrams is a great shooter, his size and lack of all around game will hurt his draft status. It would be quite surprising if Abrams is not back in a Longhorn uniform for his senior season. However, it is not a forgone conclusion. Only a few short years ago, most thought that LaMarcus Aldridge would be drafted, and Daniel Gibson would return for his junior season, only to surprise everyone with his agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But, I will also say that Daniel Gibson was bigger and a more well rounded player than AJ Abrams at that point in time.

If Abrams does not return for his senior season it would be a huge blow to the Longhorns. Abrams will be relied on to be a perimeter scorer for the Longhorns, as well as someone who is expected to share ballhandling duties with Justin Mason and Dogus Balbay. Abrams early departure would cause all kinds of problems for the Longhorn backcourt and press Balbay and J'Covan Brown into larger roles than they currently would be expected to fill.

While I don't think that Augustin is completely ready for the NBA, I can't fault the decision to turn pro. Most think we will be a lottery pick, and many pundits have him falling at #11 to the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers would be a good fit, as it is an organization in transition, and if Augustin shows to a capable point guard, he will certainly get his chance to replace the off-court headache that is Jamaal Tinsley. The only drawback to going to Indiana for Augustin would certainly be the players around him. They certainly are in transition and are missing a few pieces. Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavey are the most quality pieces they have, with Troy Murphy and Jeff Foster as solid compliments. Jermaine O'Neal has been a disaster for the past three seasons and Jamaal Tinsley isn't far behind him. Augustin would probably get his opportunity to play and has a chance to become a successful pro, if he does stay in the draft. That's a lot of money, and a solid opportunity to grow in the Eastern Conference. That's why you can't fault DJ for leaving early and turning pro.

The two most intriguing questions to follow from here on out is whether AJ Abrams stays in the draft and what the Longhorns will do with DJ Augustin's scholarship. With the extra scholarship and a large opening at point guard and points, the Longhorns will be a player on the recruiting trail to fill the void with the pieces that are still available in the 2008 class. At the top of Barnes' wish list certainly has to be Devin Ebanks from Connecticut. At 6'8" and 185 pounds, he is a long, athletic, swingman that would fit nicely at Texas. He could play two or three, and ranks #11 on Rivals.com Top 150 list. Texas is competing with Memphis, Rutgers, and West Virginia for the small forward's services. If the Longhorns could land him it would be a huge sign for Barnes and give him another valuable offensive weapon for 2009. If Ebanks does decide to go elsewhere, the Longhorns would definitely turn their attention to Wesley Witherspoon, another 6'8", 185 pound point forward out of Georgia. Witherspoon, #34 on Rivals.com's list, is choosing between Colorado, Memphis, Virginia, and the Longhorns. Another player that may come into play with the open scholarship is SF Jeff Taylor (6'7"/197), out of New Mexico, who was interested in Texas before recently giving a soft verbal to Vanderbilt. If Texas can bring in one of these players, it will cushion the blow of losing Augustin and allow Texas to remain a player in 2009.

But if Texas loses AJ Abrams as well, it will cripple the Longhorns' title hopes in 2009. DJ Augustin was a great Longhorn and will be sorely missed, but it is the right time for him to move on. We'll have more later this week on his legacy at the Forty Acres. But here's to hoping AJ Abrams makes the right decision and comes back to lead the Texas Longhorns in 2009.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining, Right?

I feel like it only deserves one paragraph, so that's all I'm going to give it. I could go into it more, but it would only be a waste of time. Memphis was quicker, more athletic, longer, bigger, and played with infinitely more confidence. I think it was the first time I've seen anyone be quicker and more athletic than us, and it makes a world of difference when those quicker, more athletic people also happen to be freakishly long. There might have been some ways that we could have won that game, but I can't think of any other than Memphis playing much worse than that. It was a good season, the ending was kind of disappointing, but there's no reason to disect it and say if we had done this and this it would have been different, because I don't believe that to be true. We got taken behind the shed.

Instead I prefer to look to what this offseason spells for the Longhorns. With JD Lewis and Ian Mooney as the only graduating seniors on the roster, the future looks bright for the Horns. While Damion James had a breakout season and showed why he was so highly touted coming out of high school, he didn't have the kind of tournament and late season impact that he would have needed to elevate his draft status. Unless he's hoping to catch on somewhere in the 2nd round, he should be back next season.

The big question will be the status of DJ Augustin. Early in the season he looked like he was fighting for the top point guard in the draft status. Clearly, with a less than stellar tournament (14.25 ppg/6.5 apg/3.25 rpg/1.75 spg/2.5 TOpg/35% FG/39% 3P), he has lost that battle. What he gained in his outstanding Stanford game, he lost with his struggles in the Memphis game. He's behind Derrick Rose (Memphis) and Jerryd Bayliss (Arizona), and is still jockeying for position with Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook, and Ty Lawson, all of whom have improved their status with their tournament play. Most "experts" (people who have a website) have DJ as a late lottery selection to a mid-first rounder. It will be interesting to see how that changes as we get closer to the draft. But one thing his tournament performance did, was put his draft stock into question.

While most comparisons are to Steve Nash, and that's who DJ likens his game to the most, another player he always seems to remind me of is Deron Williams. And Williams used all for of his years at Illinois to become the player he is today. DJ could benefit from one or two more years in school to continue to learn the position and get to a point where he is in constant control on the floor. I wouldn't fault him or disagree if he decides to turn pro, but if he did decide to wait one more year he could encounter a weaker draft class and also set himself up for a better draft position.

Regardless of DJ's decision, Texas will have plenty of hope going into next season. A look at each position and their status for next year ('09 class in parenthesis):

Point Guard - Obviously, if DJ (Jr) returns, we're in great shape. But if he does go, look for Justin Mason (Jr) and AJ Abrams (Sr) to split time here. I would love to see AJ embrace this role and use his quickness as a scorer and a passer. There is no one that can stay in front of him if he's trying to get in the lane. Also, Justin Mason loses some of his effectiveness as a rebounder/all around hustler if he is burdened with the disciplined responsibilities of the point guard position. Dogus Balbay (Fr) will contend to be a backup at the point guard position, coming off an ACL injury this year. He's said to be extremely quick and a pass first point guard from Turkey. Also Harrison Smith (Jr) is a darkhorse candidate to contribute, but attitude and desire have kept him out of the rotation his first two years in the program.

Shooting Guard - AJ Abrams and Justin Mason will both be back with another year under their belts. Mason had a breakout last half of the season as he plays larger than his 6'2" height, and is the defensive stallwort of this team. He also is amazing on the boards and the confidence of what is a decent outside shot returned. He plays under control and is aggressive and smart in the lane. He underwent a transformation the last half of the season and it was a pleasure to watch. Also, incoming freshman J'Covan Brown is a highly touted scorer and will certainly get some minutes in his first season.

Small Forward - If DJ returns, Justin Mason will continue to see time in the three guard lineup. But if DJ moves on, look for Damion James (Jr) to return to his more natural position at small forward. It would give Texas a more traditional look and improve the rebounding and toughness immeadiately. James is about the only small forward we have on the roster as Gary Johnson (So) is more ably suited for power forward, but he could see some time there to allow the Longhorns to go very big inside.

Power Forward - This is where the Longhorns of 2009 will begin to look different. All the big men played well in the tournament and with their freshman campaign under their belts, they will be more involved offensively in 2009. Gary Johnson could start the season off as the starter, but if Dexter Pittman's tournament play was a sign of things to come, Connor Atchley (Sr) could slide into his more natural power forward position. Alexis Wangmene (So), Matt Hill who will return from injury (So), and Clint Chapman (So) will also be heavily involved in what will be an incredibly deep front line. Whoever makes the biggest strides during the offseason will likely move to the front of the line in the rotation. But every post will get his chance to prove himself.

Center - Connor Atchley will most likely start his senior campaign as the center, but Dexter Pittman (Jr) closed with an outstanding tournament and he could show up next season ready to be the anchor for this team offensively and defensively. Either way the front court will be in great shape as Clint Chapman and Matt Hill have the length to play center as well. Texas has the potential to dominate inside and be one of the most physical teams in the country next season.

This season was a great one as the Longhorns matured and improved throughout the year. The team was a little bit one-dimensional due to the youth of the front line forcing Damion and Connor to play out of position. But next season the Longhorns look primed to be a different team, that looks a little bit more like those teams that featured Brad Buckman, Brian Boddicker, James Thomas, and Jason Klotz, and a whole lot of physical play. If the Longhorns can incorporate their post game and allow Damion and Connor to play their more natural positions, DJ Augustin will either be running one of the deepest and most complete teams in the country, or AJ Abrams and Justin Mason will step in to run a team that could have a completely overhauled offensive strategy. Either way, it was an enjoyable experience to watch this team learn, grow, and succeed.

What to Make of the Cardinal

What is so scary about one little red bird? Well if you look closer, Cardinal also means of prime importance, chief; principal. That sounds a little fiercer. But what happens when you double it and make them both 7 feet tall? Then you have an incredibly formidable Sweet 16 opponent.

In only a short time at Palo Alto, Trent Johnson has returned the Cardinal to the status it had achieved under Mike Montgomery before he foolishly tried to resurrect the Golden State Warriors. Despite what his regrettable ejection will tell you about Trent Johnson, the man will be considered a top coach before his time is said and done. He built a Nevada program and managed to bring in top talent with Nick Fazekas, and now has done the same at Stanford, with the likes of the Lopez Twins. He is a good coach and Stanford plays a disciplined, physical style of basketball. They don't turn the ball over and pound it inside, and they don't force the turnover, but play a suffocating defense built from the inside out that focuses on forcing a one and done for their opponents.

I suppose we should start where CBS will start, by fawning over Babbling Brook Lopez. What can you say? He's 7 feet tall, big and strong, great technique and understanding for the game, and a mean streak inside. Put all of those together and despite such a pretty name, you have an NBA Lottery pick. He's averaging 19 ppg, 8.1 rpg/ 2.1 bpg and shoots an excellent 78% from the charity stripe. What is more, is the poise and creativity he showed with his game winning shot against Marquette. He is the focal point of Stanford's offense. They get him the ball and he knows what to do with it.

However, we musn't forget that Babbling Brook has a twin, lord knows CBS won't. "MY GOD, THERE'S TWO OF THEM. AND THEY'RE TALL. OH MY. F-YOU, I"M BILLY PACKER!" Yes, we musn't forget Red-Breasted Robin Lopez. While he plays second fiddle to his brother, he is the wild card in every sense of the word. His play has been impressive over the past two months and he is more firery and more of a douche bag than his brother, as he showed in the Marquette game with his constant trash talking. But he has averaged 12.4 ppg over the past 2 months and he averages 5.7 rpg and 2.4 bpg. He also is the focal point on defense as he takes the harder assignments to cover for his brother. He shoots a respectable 65% from the free throw line and is an equally firery competitor, though not as polished as his brother. He will likely be a lottery pick if he decides to return to school for his junior season.

The X-Factor for the Cardinal is definitely Anthony Goods. The 6'3 junior is the perimeter scoring threat that has kept teams honest all season long. He averaged 10.3 ppg this season, shooting 35% from three and a respectable 70% from the free throw line. However, it is worth noting that he has shot 29% from three in the month of March averaging 7.1 ppg and is 29% from the field in the tournament. If the Longhorns can keep Goods from getting on track, then it makes this Stanford team much more one-dimensional.

A player that shouldn't hurt the Longhorns but very well could is the steady hand of point guard Mitch Johnson. The junior does a little bit of everything for the Cardinal averaging 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 5.1 apg. While he doesn't get involved offensively much he had an unbelievable 16 assists in the Marquette game burning the Eagles with 3 of 3 shooting from three point range. A 40% shooter from downtown he can hurt us if given the opportunity. The only apparent weakness for Johnson is his 66% clip from the free throw line which could come into play late in the game.

The rest of the Cardinal is an experienced, solid role playing group that rounds out this team with smart, solid play and good defense. 6'5 senior, Fred Washington (4.5 ppg/4.1 rpg/2.3 apg, 53% FT) rounds out the starting rotation. He's there for rebounding, passing, and defense as he didn't attempt a shot in the Marquette game, but has filled up the stat sheet in every other possible way.

The first man off the bench as of late has been Taj Finger. The 6'8 senior has made the most of his swan song with 17 points, 13 rebounds on 8 of 11 shooting in his two games. He will come in to spell the Lopez twins and has been deadly for the Cardinal off the bench. He is a smart saavy post player that will cause problems for our inexperienced bigs.

The face you'll see in the backcourt off the bench will be that of Southlake native Kenny Brown. The 6'1" junior is returning home and is a threat from deep shooting 38% from downtown. He is 6 of 8 in two games from deep in the tournament. If he is given time he can hurt the Horns from deep.

The man who has seen his playing time dwindle over the past month is athletic 6'8 junior swingman Lawerence Hill. He's averaged 8.7 ppg/4.9 rpg and shoots 37% from deep and 75% from the line. But with the emergence of Taj Finger his minutes have fallen off a bit in the past month. But he is obviously talented enough to cause damage from inside and out.

The Cardinal is a pretty straight forward team. They get consistent point guard play, attack inside and play great defense. It is a formula for success in the tournament. This is a junior and senior laden team that understands its support role for the Lopez twins. In the absence of Anthony Goods, the rest of the team has stepped up in a big way, getting this team to where they are now.

It is an interesting matchup for the Longhorns. While we will struggle inside against the Lopez twins, we have the bodies (Connor, Damo, Gary, Dex, Wangmene, Chapman) to bang inside with the Lopez's. We will need our young bench to play over their heads and big games on the defensive end from Gary, Dex and Alexis would be huge for our chances. But Texas has been an underrated team defensively all season. The biggest test will be keeping the bigs out of foul trouble and keeping Connor on the floor. It will also be imperative for the Longhorns to rebound the basketball and limit the second chance points for the Cardinal. We will also need to keep Anthony Goods from getting on track and limiting the role players from hurting us. Damion James will need to dominate inside as he is the most athletic player inside and Texas has the edge with their quickness on the perimeter and inside.

The more intreaguing matchup is how the Cardinal will defend Texas. After watching the Marquette game, the perimeter defense of Stanford lacks athleticism. (Well, the entire Stanford team lacks athleticism. They are not a team to get out and run. Texas can steal some points if they can attack in transition.) But, the Texas guards will cause all kinds of problems for the Standford backcourt. Jerel McNeal, Marquette's slashing two guard, scored 30 points and got into the lane at will. DJ Augustin's mid range game will be essential against the Cardinal as getting to the rack is not the best decision against the interior presence of the twins. If DJ can get on fire with his mid range jumpers and fade aways, he can easily score 20 and control the game. Justin Mason will also be important in driving to the lane, drawing the big men over and dishing for baskets. This will get our bigs involved offensively and will also get the Lopez twins out of position and into foul trouble. Texas will get in trouble if they try to go right at the Lopez's but can be effective off the drive and dish.

The biggest weakness that the Stanford defense showed in the Marquette game was their defense on the pick and roll, a staple of the Texas offense. Neither Babbling Brook or Red-Breasted Robin looked comfortable or willing to jump out to cut off the guard. Both seemed to stay closer to the basket and just wave at the guard coming over the pick. If they do this against Texas, AJ Abrams will continue to put up his 26 points that he did in the first two rounds of the tournament. DJ Augustin will also recognize the problems it causes the twins and wreak havoc using the pick and roll. It should also give Damion James and Connor Atchley ample opportunity to get open looks from long range. Expect Stanford to employ the zone a lot which will give AJ Abrams and company several opporunities to get open looks as well as break down the zone with the dribble.

I think Texas will have all kinds of problems with the Lopez twins, but I also think Stanford will have an equally difficult if not more difficult time defending the perimeter players of Texas. It will be a true test of execution and coaching. I'm nervous about this game, but I think if Texas comes out and shoots well they can win this game. Foul trouble will play a crucial role and if the refs call it tight that will only favor Stanford.

I don't like making predictions, but I like our chances in front of a home crowd. Well a semi-home crowd. More on that later.

Securing Home Court

The Longhorns did what was expected of them in the first two rounds, making their way through Little Rock and securing home court advantage for as long as they stay in the tournament. Texas defeated #15 Austin Peay on Friday and #7 Miami (FL) on Sunday.

In both games the Longhorns came out of the gates very quickly and seized control of the game, jumping out to early leads and shooting well. The defensive pressure was intense in both games, and they were focused early. This was a great sign as most teams pick up the confidence to hang around and pull upsets in the first 10 minutes.

In both games, AJ Abrams led the way scoring, getting free and knocking down open looks. It almost seems like both Austin Peay and Miami (FL) didn't exactly understand that you can give Abrams any space. And with his quick release, any free space he will get off a clean shot. It will be interesting to see if Stanford makes the adjustment, because with the amount of time Abrams got in the first two rounds he will continue to put up spectacular shooting numbers.

Damion James and Connor Atchley also had great games in the first two rounds. Damion has been active on the boards and been aggressive around the rim. Connor's play was a breathe of fresh air as he got back on track shooting from three point range and played some solid defense, though he got in foul trouble in both games. Damion's performance against Miami was especially impressive as he pulled down 16 rebounds and added 16 points to the cause.

Justin Mason continued his spectacular play over the last month as he played great on the offensive and defensive end. He limited McClinton of Miami, who had 38 in round 1, much of the game, and in the process disrupted much of Miami's offense. Offensively he continued to drive and dish, slicing the defense and creating easy baskets for the Texas bigs. But most of all he once again is setting the tone for Texas' intensity, flying around the court and out hustling every other player on the court.

The other pleasant surprise was the play of Dexter Pittman who added solid minutes off the bench. In the Austin Peay game it helped that he was 5 inches and 50 pounds bigger than everyone else, but he continued his solid play in the Miami game. If Dex or any of the other big men continue to contribute it takes a ton of pressure off the starting lineup to stay out of foul trouble and carry the load. It was also a welcome sight to see Gary Johnson return to the floor after missing the last week with a strained calf muscle. Getting Johnson back into the rotation will become more and more important in the upcoming games.

For as well as Texas played, a few concerns came up after the first two games. For as well as the Longhorns came out and seized the momentum of the game in each of the first two games, they didn't put their opponents away. Against Austin Peay, they took the Governors out of their game, quickly erasing any hope of their upset. But after jumping out to a 15 point lead, it stayed there for much of the game, leaving Austin Peay at striking distance throughout. The same thing happened against Miami, as the Hurricanes stayed within about 13 points for most of the second half. Then our worst fears came true as Miami went on a run, seized momentum and almost stole a game they had no business being in.

The frantic comeback attempt made by Miami brought to light a concern that hadn't really reared its ugly head in the past month, but it apparently was still there. Texas' free throw shooting down the stretch was pretty much atrocious and will be a major concern from here on out. Atchley, James, and Augustin were all exposed at the line late in the game, and Mason missed 3 of 4 earlier in the game. Probably from here on out, Texas is going to find itself in close games, and free throw shooting down the stretch will be essential. And right now, AJ Abrams is the only one that anyone feels comfortable with on the line.

The interior defense was also a bit of a concern against Miami. The perimeter defense was solid, but early on, Miami's big men were able to score inside and cause problems for the Texas defense. It got a little bit better as the game went on, but with Stanford's twin towers on the horizon, Texas' interior defense will need to be nothing short of spectacular if Texas hopes to advance against the Cardinal. Connor Atchley desperately needs to stay out of foul trouble and Gary Johnson, Wangmene, Pittman, and Chapman need to play solid, consistent defense. Brook Lopez shoot free throws extremely well and if he gets too deep he will score. But if you can get him 8 or more feet from the basket he becomes a decidely less effective player. Texas players will need to out work him in the post.

I'm not sure if this last one is a concern, but with the play of Abrams and James in the first two games, DJ Augustin hasn't needed to do much. But it also makes me a little bit weary that he hasn't shot well, has made some poor decisions, and hasn't been extremely effective. He has played well, but I think that DJ will need to give even more to the Longhorns if they hope to advance. Especially with Stanford's size inside, DJ needs to be more judicious in when he goes to the basket and when he relies on his mid range game. DJ Augustin hasn't played like an All-American yet, and we need him to be an All-American if we hope to continue the march to San Antonio. And it would help if he didn't air ball any free throws.

All in all, Texas looked impressive in the opening weekend, except for five minutes against Miami. So let's say that things are looking good, and that was a pre-arranged agreement between Rick Barnes and his old friend Frank Haith.

Bring on the Cardinal.

Post Game Points: Texas v. Kansas State

ANOTHER UGLY WIN... No matter how Texas plays, they keep on winning. 13 turnovers, 10-22 from the foul line, AJ & Connor out the 1st half with fouls, broken noses and a poor shooting night for Damion James didn't keep the Horns from pulling off the huge win in Manhattan. This team has won inside, outside, pretty and ugly. One night it's DJ, then AJ then Connor and Damion. It seems like nothing can slow this team down the past 8 games. Three more winnable games for the Texas and they will bring home their first outright Big 12 Championship since 1999.

BLOWING BUBBLES... It looks like The Wildcats are about to play themselves right onto the NCAA Tournament bubble. They have now lost 3 straight to Texas, Baylor and Nebraska and face an impending 4th loss as they head into Lawrence to face Kansas on Saturday. Thats not to great considering the selection committee tends to look at your last 10-12 games to separate the last few in from the ones left out. If K State loses to Kansas, they are for sure going to have to beat Colorado and Iowa State to finish the year and then maybe have to win a game or 2 in the Big 12 tournament. One thing they have going for them is the "Beasley Factor" in that it is going to be hard for the committee to keep the most talented player in the country out of the NCAAs and into the NIT.

PHOENIX SUNS IN ATTENDANCE... ESPN made it a point to show Kevin McHale of T-Wolves and Steve Kerr of the Suns in attendance at tonight's game. Despite DJ's comments this week that he isn't going to the NBA, you can't tell me Phoenix was not there to look at DJ. I think Texas fans have learned enough from TJ, Kevin Durant and Vince Young to know that the "I will be back next year" is essentially a guarantee they will not. I think everyone is incredibly greatful we have had DJ for 2 years. I love DJ's game and he would be a perfect fit as the heir apparent yo Steve Nash and the Suns offense. I just wish players wouldn't get everyone's hopes up by saying the thing they think fans want to hear.

TEXAS' "X" FACTOR... Is Connor Atchley. He can be such a matchup problem for teams as his offensive game has really developed this year. He works the pick & roll so well with DJ. Connor can bring his man away from the basket, leaving a clear path to the rim for DJ. And Connor is becoming deadly from behind the arc as DJ is finding his open when teams trap him on the high pick & roll. Tonight Connor even hit what can only be described as the "least expected drive to the basket and running jump hook floater of the year." Add in his shot blocking ability and, as long as he stays out of foul trouble, Connor becomes a key man in a Longhorn run into March.

REMAINING SCHEDULE... @ Texas Tech: This game is winnable. Barned owns Tech and the Red Raiders just don't have the size or offensive fire power to stay with Texas. The game in Austin was a blow out, and I only expect the game to be about 5 points closer be cause the game is in Lubbock.
Nebraska: While the Cornhuskers are playing well as of late (wins over K State & A&M), I just don't see them coming into Austin and beating this Texas team. Texas may have some trouble with the 7'0'' Aleks Karic, but Nebraska simply does not have the overall team talent to pull off an upset road win.
Oklahoma State: I am glad Texas gets this game at home. The Cowboys are off wins over A&M and Kansas and PG Byron Eaton has been on fire the past few games. OK State alwasy plays Texas tough, but the Horns seem to pull off the wins in Austin. This is going to be a tough game, but the Cowboys don't have enough scorers around Eaton to win this Big 12 finally.

Win of the Year

Texas did everything right last night in their 77-50 win against #22 Texas A&M. DJ Augustin had a great game and everyone contributed as Texas dominated from the opening tip. It was a great win and Texas looked the best they have all season.

I'm sure Royal will have more on this game later, so I'll leave it to him, but an interesting thought on DJ's recent shooting slump that he seemed to have broken out of last night. During the slump Texas had to rely on AJ, Damo, Connor, Gary, and even Mason and the bench guys stepped up to play increased roles. It seems that even though Augustin regained his shooting touch he has a new found confidence in giving up the ball to his teammates that showed last night. Last night it seemed like DJ was just as big of a threat to pass the ball as he was to shoot the ball, which we haven't seen a lot of this year. His new found confidence to get his teammates the ball in scoring position, and their ability to contribute makes this Texas team dynamic and dangerous.

More on this later, but for now, enjoy a 27-point win over the Aggies. All together now...


POOR AGGIES!!!

The Underdogs are Back

Last night was a great game between two outstanding teams playing basketball at a high level. It was an exciting back and forth game to watch, and after watching the Longhorns in their previous five games, it was like seeing a different team out on the floor.

Lost in all of the post game write ups from the different outlets, is that the Longhorns got back to one thing that they thrived on early in the season; being the underdog. In their wins against Tennessee and #1 UCLA early in the season, Texas was the underdog. They thrived in that role, outhustling their opponents, playing intense defense, and attacking on offense.

After a 13-0 start, the nation started to take notice and all of a sudden, Texas became the favorite. They got outworked against Michigan State, Wisconsin, Missouri, A&M, several conference games they should not have won. But coming off several lackluster performances, DJ Augustin's game on a temporary leave of absence, and the Texas front line continuing to make opposing big men look like NBA first rounders, Texas was expected to get run out of the gym by a deep and talented Kansas team. And apparently that was what the Longhorns needed.

Texas executed an excellent game plan, played suffocating defense, and outhustled the Jayhawks in the second half to earn the victory. Connor Atchley's four blocks and post defense was by far his best performance of the season. AJ Abrams hounded Brandon Rush all night long holding him to 10 points and just three shot attempts in the second half. DJ Augustin, despite another horrendous shooting night, managed to hold Russell Robinson and Sharron Collins to a 2 of 12 shooting night and 4 points, making the point guard battle a draw. Gary Johnson, Justin Mason, and Damion James were everywhere the entire second half, hustling to every rebound, every lose ball, and playing outstanding defense and dominating the paint on offense. It was the second good performance for Johnson who looks like he is starting to get it. Mason continues to thrive as the utility man and has found his niche on offense and defense. And Damion James was the X-factor in the second half, creating all kinds of problems and out working every player on the floor.

Of all the things Texas did right last night, the biggest difference between this game and previous poor performances was Texas' attitude. They played this ball game like they were not the better team. They played like they needed to earn a victory and out play their opponents. They came in with a sense of urgency that allowed them to overcome the slow start that had plagued them the last few games, and they turned it up even more in the second half. Kansas is a phenominal team, that is deep and talented around the rim, but Texas wanted it more, and Texas went out there and outplayed them for it.

This is the Texas team that we saw go 13-0, and it was the whispers of Final Four that derailed that hunger. It was the realization of how could they could be that caused Texas to go out and play with an attitude that they were better than their opponents and could win by just going out and playing. But for one night, Texas got back to being the underdog, and the results were just the same as the 19 point rout of Tennessee and the road upset #1 UCLA. But it remains to be seen if they can carry that underdog attitude with them, when they are clearly not the underdog.

Post Game Points: Texas v. Iowa State

1. A CONFERENCE ROAD WIN... Is nothing to be upset about. When you're in conference play, your first goal is to win all your home games and be able to win a little more than half of your road games. And historically Texas has had a tough time winning at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The fact is Texas played poorly and DJ Augustin had the worst game as a Horn and Texas was still able to win. AJ Abrams and Gary Johnson were able to step up and carry the horns to another 2nd half comeback. While the game was frustrating and unbearable to watch at times, lets just enjoy not losing for a minute before Kansas comes to town.

2. DJ AUGUSTIN... Continues to struggle getting good looks and hitting shots. There are several things that have concerned me recently with DJ. First, I am afraid teams have figured out how to neutralize him enough to disrupt the Texas offense. Iowa State had a great game plan which was to not let DJ have a path to the basket and then meet him at the rim with big man help to force a bad shot. DJ just didn't finish at the rim the way he was early in the year. That leads to the next concern, which is that DJ is not drawing the contact that he used to on his drives. One of DJ's biggest strengths was his ability to get to the rim and initiate the contact. Recently, his finishes around the rim have been fade aways and step backs. I am not sure if he is getting beat up, worried about injuries or if Barnes is worried about injuries. But I feel like DJ is losing one of his biggest assets in not forcing fouls and getting to the line.

3. GARY JOHNSON... Might be getting it. What a game for Gary. Great hustle, great post position and great defense. Johnson played 34 minutes and had his best game this season. Gary was able to establish a much needed inside presence as he got great post position and was able to finish around the basket (though a few more kind rolls on the rim and he could have scored 20). His defense, and especially his perimeter defense was exceptional. Gary switched on screens and was able to take his man back away from the basket and just seemed to be more comfortable, overall, on the defensive end. I think he is showing the player he can develop into as Big 12 play progresses. By tournament time Gary could be a 15 point 12 rebound guy in the starting lineup.

4. TEXAS STILL LOOKS... Infinitely beatable. Another slow start, another poor shooting game and another questionable performance by DJ. When I look at this team, I look at it in terms of how they would stack up in the NCAA Tournament at this moment. Right now.... Not good. if you go into March with shaky PG play, low % shooting and little inside presence, your chances look pretty grim. Somehow Texas is going to have to figure out how to start games actually hitting shots. Unless they do, they are susceptible to being run out of the gym by a hot shooting tourney team. We already know that Texas is going to struggle with teams with 2 bug guys inside (A&M). But the Horns are starting to have trouble with ANY big man, not just multiple big men. Lastly, DJ is going to have to figure a way to get his shooting % to at least 40-45 and that starts with better shot selection. Fewer fade aways and shots off one leg would be a nice start to that. If you're taking to the hoop, take it and finish it strong.

5. HERE COMES KANSAS..... Yikes...

Texas Survives the Griffin Brothers

The Texas Longhorns survived the Griffin brothers, Blake, Taylor, and Eddie, and held on to win 64-54 in Norman last night. Blake and Taylor combined for 41 points and 24 rebounds as Eddie chipped in with several jokes and all-around bad acting.

The Longhorns once again let their opponent jump out to an early lead, as Tony Crocker hit three, three pointers early as Oklahoma had an early 10 point lead. The Longhorns were able to battle back behind the play of their guards. And when I say guards, I mean all of them as AJ Abrams led the way with 22 points, DJ Augustin had 19, and Justin Mason had 11 points! Oklahoma's game plan of leaving Justin Mason wide open for shots, backfired for the first time in the history of Justin Mason being left wide open for shots, as he hit all 3 of his attempted 3 pointers, 2 of which came late in the second half.

While Texas had no answer inside for the Griffin brothers inside, they were spared the trouble of dealing with Longar-Longar who was a surprise scratch due to an injury. No word on whether he was injured while accepting a ride from Eddie Griffin to the stadium. It was a good thing Longar-Longar did not play as the Griffin's were enough for the overmatched Texas front line. Damion James, Gary Johnson, and Connor Atchley combined for 12 points and 12 fouls in doing pretty much nothing to stop the Griffins.

It was a great game plan for the Longhorns as Coach Rick Barnes decided the best way to catch the Sooners off guard was to become "pretty intimate" with Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops. Hey, whatever works. It also probably helped that only four of the Sooners' 8 players scored points in the game. Has there ever been a game before where no one scores in single digits?

While it was a disappointing performance for the Texas front line, the Longhorns played great defense and shot the basketball well. The Longhorns improve to 5-2 in conference, and will head to Iowa State this Saturday to face another team that is strong on the interior. After the difficult test against the Griffin brothers, the Longhorns are confident that they will be able to handle all future challenges including their scheduled bout against the Hanson brothers.

Horns Prepare for a Dog Fight

The Longhorns got back on the winning track this past weekend against the Baylor Bears. They will look to improve to 2-1 on a 10 game stretch where they will face the top 5 teams of the Big XII in 9 of 10 games, including, A&M, Baylor, and Oklahoma twice. Tonight they head into Norman, Oklahoma where the Sooners will look to be physical with the Longhorns.

The Longhorns have known all season that their weakness is in the paint. Losses to Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Texas A&M have shown just that. In the most recent defeat, the Aggies abused the Longhorns in the paint and kicked out to three point shooters when the perimeter was forced to collapse.

The Longhorns rely on their guard play to lead them, but have been seeing slightly improved play from the likes of Gary Johnson, Dexter Pittman, Alexis Wangmene, and Clint Chapman. They still have a ways to go to contend with the likes of Texas A&M, but if the Longhorns can become decent to solid on the inside defensively and on the boards, Texas' chances to go deep in the tournament increase dramatically.

Oklahoma will be a difficult test for the Longhorns. Norman is always a difficult place to play and this Capel coached team still carries the physical style of play that it was known for under Kelvin Sampson. Oklahoma is still young and rebuilding, but they still have the talent to give the Longhorns fits. They are led by all-freshman power forward Blake Griffin who is an absolute force in the post averaging 14.3 ppg and 8.7 rpg. He is complemented inside by senior center Longar-Longar (13.2 ppg/5.9 rpg). The Sooners have won 3 of their last 4 in large part to the emergance of Griffin's older brother, small forward Taylor Griffin who has averaged 11.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg in his last four games.

The problem that Oklahoma has had this season lies in the play of their guards. Sophomore Tony Crocker has been a pleasant surprise, as the 6'6" guard is averaging 10.9 ppg and shooting 46% from 3-point range. The disappointment comes from point guard Austin Johnson who is only averaging 2.6 apg and senior guard David Godbold who was supposed to be the leader in the back court this season, but is only averaging 7.9 ppg and 32% from 3-point range, though he did score 22 on 6 of 10 3-point shooting against Texas A&M this weekend.

Texas will need to play strong interior defense if they hope to succeed against Oklahoma. They need to disrupt Blake Griffin early and make the freshman think by coming at him from different angles. I don't know if there is any player on the Longhorns squad that can cover him straight up. If Texas is forced to double down on the interior they must to a better job of it than when they played the Aggies. Texas A&M was able to move the ball with ease out of the double team and get their best shooters the ball wide open. Texas can't afford to leave Crocker or Godbold with wide open looks.

Texas will also need to play with intensity on the defensive end. They have let their opponents jump out to big leads in their last two contests, and were only able to come back from it once. AJ Abrams seems to have come out of his shooting slump just as DJ Augustin appears to be entering one. Texas right now is a team that lives and dies by their outside shooting and needs to work harder at getting Damion James and Gary Johnson actively involved on the interior. The Longhorns also need to get back to attacking the paint early in games and using turning to their outside shooting once defenses have made adjustments to account for driving. DJ Augustin is not getting to the paint as easily as he was earlier in the season and he is not looking to pass as much once he gets into the paint.

This is a game that Texas needs to win and should win. But they need their young front line to play well as this will be a difficult challenge for them against the physical front line of the Sooners. But if the Longhorns didn't figure it out from the Baylor game, they need to for this one. This team has to win basketball games on the defensive end.

Big XII Weekend Capsule: Week 3, Part 2

Oklahoma (13-5) (1-2) at #25 Baylor (16-2) (4-0)

- Oklahoma avoided going 0-3 to start the conference season with a two point win over Texas Tech on Wednesday. With Blake Griffin out injured, the Sooners turned to his older brother Tony who responded with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Longar-Longar also had a big game as the Sooners attacked Texas Tech in the paint. Oklahoma will need to do that again if they have any hope of pulling off the upset. Oklahoma's guards have let them down so far this season, and it showed against Tech, shooting 29% from three point range. Baylor continues their ride of success as they are planting the seed to become America's Cinderella story for the season. Their 5 OT win at #18 Texas A&M is a milestone win for the program. Curtis Jerrells established himself as the go to player on this team. Also, this team can't afford for Kevin Rogers to get into foul trouble as he is their only reliable interior player. Baylor's weakness is their interior play, but if they can manage to limit opponents inside, their deep and talented guard play will carry them through a lot of games.

Prediction: #25 Baylor 75, Oklahoma 71

Iowa State (12-7) (2-2) at Kansas State (13-4) (3-0)

- Coming off a game where they had no chance against Kansas, the Cyclones will try and rebound on the road at the other Big XII surprise, Kansas State. Iowa State will need to attack inside with Wesley Johnson and Craig Brackins and try to get Bill Walker and Michael Beasley into foul trouble. It would also help Iowa State if they could get some consistent guard play, but most of all they need Rashon Clark to step up and be a leader for this team. As for Kansas State, it all depends on the two-headed monster. If you stop Beasley and Walker, you will beat Kansas State, but that's where people are having trouble. Beasley and Walker are averaging a combined 47 points and 14 rebounds a game in conference play. But as was the case in the Colorado game, that's all that Kansas State had going for it. The rest of the Wildcats combined to shoot 32% against the Buffaloes. Beasley and Walker are a force, but if either player is off or gets in foul trouble, this becomes a decidedly weaker team.

Prediction: Kansas State 77, Iowa State 68

Texas Tech (11-7) (2-2) at #12 Texas (15-3) (2-1)

- Martin Zeno is coming off of a career high 33 points against Missouri and will look to continue attacking a Texas team that has looked like anything but the #12 team in the country. Texas Tech is a guard oriented team which should allow them to match up well with Texas. Zeno is the best of their four starting guards, but freshman point guard John Roberson has come on strong as of late and gives the Red Raiders another offensive weapon. Knight teams are always scrappy and well coached, and with Zeno, they have one potent scorer. It is well known that Texas goes as far as DJ Augustin takes him. This has been even more true as of late as Texas has struggled to develop any inside presence. Damion James needs to have a big game and be active on the boards, but most of all Texas needs to develop their bench. All five starters played over 35 minutes in the Oklahoma State game, and they didn't get much of any contribution from their three freshman power forwards on the bench. It also wouldn't hurt for AJ Abrams, shooting 22% from 3 point range in conference play (32 attempts in 3 games), to get back on track. But regardless, if DJ Augustin plays well, Texas will be in the game at the end.

Prediction: #12 Texas 76, Texas Tech 72

A Win, is a Win, is a Win

It will be interesting to see if Texas can recapture that early season play of good defense, with an explosive transition game, and balanced offensive scoring and hot shooting. If they can't, then you should get used to this kind of result and this kind of game. The Longhorns won on the road at hostile Gallagher-Iba Arena Monday night by two over an Oklahoma State team experiencing a down year.

Texas played well in the first half with DJ Augustin, Damion James, and Connor Atchley sharing the scoring load as Justin Mason again played well on the defensive end. Oklahoma State, to their credit, made adjustments and erased the 10 point Longhorn lead early in the second half. From there, it became a hard fought slugfest that was typical conference Big XII basketball. It wasn't so much pretty as it was physical.

In a close game, Texas went into what might very well be their late game offense for much of the Big XII season. They set up plays for DJ Augustin, whether he was at the point, or curling off of screens while Mason ran the point, Texas got the ball to DJ and gave him space. From there it was up to DJ to run the shot clock, create his shot, or get fouled. This is why DJ should be a front runner for Player of the Year, because no player does more for his team. There were a few times where Augustin used poor judgement, but considering the ball was in his hands every possession the final 7 minutes of the game, he was unbelievable.

Texas made it clear that they will be turning things over to DJ Augustin late in games, and we will attempt to sit on leads, eek out close games, and that we don't trust anyone else with the basketball. This may work against a majority of the conference, but it won't work against Kansas, and it won't work in the NCAA Tournament. Texas killed their momentum by slowing down the game and made their offense predictable and stagnant.

Texas needs to continue to search for the offense that was winning games early in the year. An offense with Damion James and Connor Atchley getting involved and AJ Abrams attacking inside the three point arc and outside. There's nothing wrong with having the ball in DJ's hands at the end of games, but he needs to be doing it to get the team involved.

It's nice to know that we have a weapon in DJ Augustin that we can give the ball to and he can deliver the win, but with 7 minutes left in the Oklahoma State game, we made the decision that we were going to try and win 63-61, as opposed to trying to win 85-70. With a player like DJ Augustin, that is a strategy that will win you a majority of your games. But in the NCAA Tournament, winning a majority of games isn't a luxury that you have. It's a game like the USC loss last year, where down the stretch, they moved the basketball, attacked from all sides and kept scoring, while feeding the ball to Kevin Durant and letting him score didn't work. Because if you let inferior basketball teams hang around for too long, it will come back to haunt you.

If I Was Rick Barnes, I Would Yell at These People: Volume 1

I am going to put on my 'Rick Barnes Hat' for a minute while I express my (along with his, I am sure) frustration with the Longhorn's last few games. If the Texas basketball team continues to under perform, this may become a weekly event. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

D.J. Augustin: Ok, D.J. I know you are one of the best point guards in the nation, but the problem is that you seem to know it too. Playing with confidence is one thing, but this is not high school anymore. You are still better than 99.9% pf the people that are guarding you, but you still need to take good shots. Running in the lane and flinging shots up is not an offensive strategy. 6-20, 6-17, 5-11, 4-10, 11-22 and 6-16 are your shooting number for the past six games. This is not good. Also, it's been 6 weeks since you have had 10 or more assists in a game. This tells me 2 things. You're shooting too much and not taking good shots. Our offense is predicated on you. Period. If you sick, we suck. So stop sucking.

A.J. Abrams: I don't have a specific beef with you. You do what you need to on offense. You are an outside shooter and you do that well. And while you are not the only one playing perimeter defense, you are part of our horrendous defensive efforts in the past few weeks. You're small. I get that. But there is no reason Missouri should shoot almost 70% from the field (50% from three) against us. The Tigers, and our other opponents had open shots all day. Inexcusable.

Damion James: Keep doing what you're doing, son. You have been constant and amazing all year. You play hard the entire time you're in the game. You are shooting well, flying to rebounds and defending the basket with force. If the rest of the team had your effort every game, we would still be undefeated. Kudos.

Connor Atchley: Where the hell did you go? Seriously. You had me believing you had turned the corner and were about to have a break out year. Then this. What the hell. You didn't take a shot against Missouri until the second half. We need you to be an offensive threat to take the pressure off DJ, AJ and Damion. You had been good on defense too, but now you constantly get into foul trouble. Please do not continue to disappear during important games. We need you in Big 12 play. So you're going to have to step it up, or we are going no where this year.

Gary Johnson: I know you're young and I know you have been out this year. But that is ZERO excuse for just plain not trying on defense. Missouri hit three after three in your face because you flat out refused to play a lick of defense. Standing around, not scoring, not crashing the boards and not getting out on shooters is going to but your super talented ass on the bench real quick. I can put up with mistakes, but I refuse to sit by and let such a talented kid not try. Get your ass in gear because I have no issue having you sit the bench the rest of the year. We made it half way through the year, we can make it the rest.

Justin Mason: You have, without a doubt, had the worst one month period I have ever seen from a Division 1A, men's basketball player. What exactly are you contibuting to this team? You have no confidence in your shot. You can't dribble or drive and your defense is lacking. You are a liability on offense and defense. I can't put you in to rest DJ cause you can't run the point and if I take AJ out, we lose a scoring threat. If you can't get your head together, you may not see the floor in the next few games, if i can help it. Stop embarrassing your me and your family.

TEXAS LONGHORNS BEAT BRUINS!!!!!!!!

#8 TEXAS 63
#2 UCLA 61

That's right folks, Texas has pulled off the upset of the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion! DJ and Damion James both poured in 19, and James had the game winning dunk, as Texas stays undefeated. More analysis later, but just sit back and enjoy the season, basketball fans!

Longhorns are Legends in the Annals of Stub Hub! History

After facing three high school teams to start the season, the Longhorns spent Thanksgiving in the winter wonderland that is, Newark, New Jersey. There’s nothing like crime, filth, and oil refineries that get you in the Holiday spirit.

This season, the Longhorns have had many question marks coming into the season. With Kevin Durant gone, the Longhorns had their leader leave after one season. Would DJ Augustin or someone else step up and lead this team? Would the team be able to fill the holes in the stat sheet left behind by Kevin Durant? Would the Longhorns get any interior presence from any of the bigs? Who would emerge to give this Longhorns team more than a few scoring options? Would any of the freshman emerge as a budding star?

In the semi-finals against New Mexico State, the Longhorns faced a team that pushes the pace, and returned most of their lineup from a tournament team last season. It was the first true test for this Longhorns group, and they passed with flying colors, defeating the Aggies 102-87. Leading from wire to wire, the Longhorns were unstoppable on offense and solid enough on defense. AJ Abrams had 31 points on 9 of 12 from three point range. DJ Augustin had 25 points and 10 assists, and Connor Atchley, Justin Mason, and Damion James all scored in double figures. The Longhorns shot 62% from the field and 61% from three point range in the game. It was a track meet for the Longhorns, but limited their mistakes to 11 turnovers, compared to 19 for the Aggies.

The win put the Longhorns in the Stubhub Championship match against #7 Tennessee on Saturday. In a back and forth first half, the Longhorns seized control in the last three minutes, going on a 12-2 run to end the half, giving the Longhorns a 50-41 lead. They would coast from there winning 97-78. The Longhorns shot 63% from the field and 50% from three point range while holding the Volunteers to 37% from the field. The Longhorns got a balanced scoring attack, with AJ Abrams, DJ Augustin, Justin Mason, and Connor Atchley (CONNOR ATCHLEY!) scoring over 20 points. Connor also had 11 rebounds (CONNOR ATCHLEY!) and DJ Augustin had 8 assists.

The tournament was a statement for the Longhorns as they showcased their offensive firepower in the post-Kevin Durant era. It is clear to see that this is DJ Augustin’s team and he has become one of the top point guards in the country. With DJ at the helm the Longhorns will be able to score against almost anyone. AJ Abrams continues to improve as a scorer and the biggest surprise has to be the play of Connor Atchley (CONNOR ATCHLEY!). With Justin Mason’s return to the form we saw early in his freshman year, the Longhorns have their defensive stopper and slasher on the offensive end. The Horns have also been getting quality minutes from freshman Alexis Wangmene off the bench.

There are only a few question marks for this Longhorns team, early in the season. DJ Augustin had 6 turnovers in each of the last two games, which you would think has to do with the fast paced style of both games. But it will be something to keep an eye on moving forward. The play of Damion James early in the season has left a bit to be desired, as the Horns were hoping this would be the season that James lived up to his pre-college hype and emerged as the force in the post the Longhorns need. The Longhorns still need another post player or two to step up and be a reliable option off the bench.

Alexis Wangmene has played well, but Dexter Pittman isn’t fully healthy yet, Clint Chapman hasn’t been a viable option, Matt Hill is out for the year, and Gary Johnson (who was supposed to be the answer this season) has still not been cleared to play with his heart condition. Against the power play of the Big XII, the Longhorns are going to need improved play from the interior if they hope to be able to benefit from their quick perimeter attack.

The Longhorns will get a taste of what they need to work on as they face the #1 team in the country UCLA on December 2nd in Los Angeles. They will also get a good preview for Big XII play, as they also face Michigan State and Wisconsin this December, who will be two of their most physical tests of the season.

Long Off-Season Causes Horns to Forget What Basket Looks Like

The Longhorns opened up their 2007 season against the UTSA-Roadrunners searching for an identity. Returning from last year's young team are four starters. The one starter missing, is now enjoying an 0-7 start and winters in Seattle.

However, the Longhorns come into the season with many questions on what type of team this was going to be. Was DJ Augustin ready to step up and carry this team? Would Justin Mason be the player from last year's non-conference slate, or the player that struggled to find himself in conference play? Is this the year where Damion James realizes his potential? Will Texas be able to find effective interior play between Connor Atchley, Dexter Pittman, Matt Hill, and incoming freshman, Gary Johnson, Clint Chapman, and Alexis Wangmene? It will take much of the non-conference season and some of the conference slate to find out the answers, but last night was a glimpse.

The Longhorns struggled coming out of the gate, shooting a dismal 35% from the field in the first half, taking a 22-19 lead into the half. However, the Horns started heating up, and behind solid defense were able to shoot 55% in the second half to pull away for a 58-37 victory. The Longhorns were led by 19 points from DJ Augustin, as Justin Mason and AJ Abrams chipped in with 12 and 11 respectfully.

Several things were made clear about the Longhorns this season. First off, this is a much improved team defensively. They play hard on both ends and have the ability to pressure the ball and stop opposing offenses. However, with Matt Hill possibly out for the season, Gary Johnson still lacking medical clearance to play, and Dexter Pittman nursing a foot injury, it is still much too early to tell if Texas will have any kind of inside presence. Last night, the Longhorns didn't, and it showed in the first half when the shots weren't falling. Justin Mason and AJ Abrams combined to shoot 1-12 in the first half, and the Longhorns resembled a team that is going to have to live and die by the outside shot.

Justin Mason appeared to be the aggressive offensive and defensive player that he was early last year, while Damion James will once again need to try and become the player that we saw in the Exhibition game and not the opener. Those hoping for a breakout season from Connor Atchley might need to keep waiting as Connor once again resembled a role player.

It is still early, and if Texas can get Gary Johnson and Dexter Pittman healthy and playing this will be a completely different team. One that might be able to make a run in the Big XII.

Big 12 Preseason Basketball Honors

Texas' D.J. Augustin tops the Preseason basketball list for the Big 12. The coaches voted him to be the top player in the league. Despite that, Texas faces a tough road in the Big 12 without Kevin Durant back for his sophomore year. Texas looks to compete with Kansas and Texas A&M for a very tough Big 12 title.

2007-08 Preseason All Big 12 Team

G Curtis Jerrells, Baylor JR
F Darrell Arthur, Kansas SO
G Brandon Rush, Kansas JR
C Aleks Maric, Nebraska SR
G D.J. Augustin, Texas SO
C Joseph Jones, Texas A&M SR

Player of the Year: D.J. Augustin, Texas
Newcomer of the Year: DeMarre Carroll, Missouri
Freshman of the Year: Micheal Beasley, Kansas State

Preseason Polls

DJ Augustin: One and Done, Too?

The speculation about Kevin Durant leaving early for the NBA is obvious. If you are guaranteed to be no worse than the number 2 pick in the draft, there isn’t much upside in staying in school for another year (see, twisted ankle against Kansas). What has become more intriguing are the questions about freshman standout, DJ Augustin, leaving the 40 Acres after just one year.

There are two current sources providing the answer to these rumors, but you would be surprised as to which way each source is making me lean in questioning the time DJ will spend in Austin.

The first evidence presented is DJ’s own statement that he will be back next year. You might think this would lead to a conclusion that DJ will, in fact, be back next year. However, this statement has been proven to hold little meaning after the season is over. In fact, if you take a look at recent Longhorn stars that have proclaimed their mid-season desire to return for another college season (TJ Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge, PJ Tucker and Daniel Gibson), DJ’s statement seems more and more ominous. And if you remember correctly, TJ was 99.9% sure he was coming back before bolting to the league. (On a related note, there must be something lost in translation with UT athletes and the use of statistical probability. Wasn’t Texas legend Roger Clemens 99.9% sure he was retiring with the Yankees and now we are in our 3rd off season of “Waiting for Roger?” We should look and make sure UT athletes aren’t taking Stats class from a paint-by-numbers coloring book…)

(Another side note: Is it just me, or has the “I’ll be back next year” almost replaced the GM’s dreaded “vote of confidence” as far as a coach’s concern level goes? A statement like that from the GM, will immediately precipitate a call to the coach’s family realtor. But now, a coach hearing a star player profess his interest in a degree will immediately start the recruiting process for a blue-chip replacement. Something to think about, anyway.)

Ironically, the one thing making me feel like DJ may return is a recent ranking by ESPN’s Chad Ford that has Augustin ranked as the number 16 NBA prospect in the nation. (It’s a pay link so if you cant see all of it; you just have to trust me). Now, why, you ask, does this make me feel ok? Its because of the seemingly lack of any common sense or sports knowledge displayed by Ford in his “rankings.”

Any list that has DJ Augustin ranked higher as a pro prospect than Acie Law (#19) is immediately null and void in my book. Are you kidding me, Chad Ford?! Have you even SEEN Acie Law play basketball at any point in time this season? If you had, there is no way you can keep that guy out of the top 10, much less almost put him out of the top 20. Absolutely ridiculous.

The second, third and fourth glaring areas are the fact that Mr. Ford has ranked Chase Budinger as his #12 prospect, Josh McRoberts as his #13 and, then fourth, proceeds to put Tyler Hansbrough as his 32nd best prospect. So many things make no sense about any of this. Budinger is a decently talented forward, averaging less than 16 points on an unranked Arizona Wildcat team. I am not saying he isn’t an eventual pro prospect, but there is no way you can call that guy one of the top 15 amateur basketball players in the world.

And don’t even get me started on Josh McRoberts. All you have to do is look at Duke’s tract record of putting white guys in the NBA (Thank you very much Cherokee Parks) and see what kind of pro potential this guy has. And how in the world can you have watched the UNC/Duke game on Sunday and thought that McRoberts is anywhere near Hansbrough in talent?

I could go on, but I will just point to these few examples and say that Mr. Ford’s “expertise” has convinced me that DJ is not ready to be a lottery draft pick at this point. But with one more year experience, it is not out of reach to say that Augustin could be the best PG prospect in the draft. That is reason enough for DJ to spend one more year as a Horn.