Just as I figured.. I have no idea how this team was 17-0 and the #1 ranked team in the country. Tonight they played sloppy, sloppy basketball, and I wonder how they managed to shoot 38%!
Well, I picked them to beat Wake Forest before they went down in flames. But even with TWENTY Demon Deacons turnovers, and a gift traveling call on a last-second inbounds pass, and a lucky trip to overtime, and a nice strong OT lead, they still couldn't close it out. Got outrebounded 56-31! Sigh... Story of the season (or rather the 2nd-half of the season).
But this post isn't about this FAIL. As I said it was pretty much expected. This post is about the huge difference between this season and the rest of Rick Barnes' stellar 12-yr. career as UT's head coach. I want to point out exactly what the guy has to work with this year. Damion James? Dexter Pittman? Avery Bradley?? This team cannot shoot. They have no leader. Both big men have disappointed when it mattered most. No one to dictate. Sloppy play...
Texas basketball has had a handful of guys go pro. OK literally about a half-dozen - until Barnes came into the picture. Let's look at some of the UT greats, focusing on Barnes' 12-year career. First I must mention a few pre-Barnes stars, just for the record:
Johnny Moore, 1977 -- A San Antonio Spurs legend who now has his "00" hanging in the rafters of the AT&T Center.
LaSalle Thompson, 1980-1982 -- A 16-year NBA career with the Kings & Pacers.
Also worth mentioning:
Lance Blanks, 1986-1989 -- 3 NBA seasons
Travis Mays, 1987-1990 -- NBA 1st-rnd pick - played 3 seasons
Chris Mihm, 98-00 -- 9-yr. career (CLE, BOS, LAL)Royal Ivey, 01-04 -- Currently with MIL
T.J. Ford, 02-03 -- Currently with IND
P.J. Tucker, 04-06 -- 1 season with TOR
LaMarcus Aldridge, 05-06 -- Currently a POR starter
Daniel Gibson, 05-06 -- Currently with CLE
Kevin Durant, 07 -- 2nd overall pick, OKC all-star
D.J. Augustin, 07-08 -- Currenty with CHA
A.J. Abrams, 06-09 -- UT's all-time scoring leader, is now playing Pro ball in Greece (for now).
It's no surprise that there has to be a lull in UT basketball. We'll see how next year goes. Barnes deserves some credit, though. I don't think he had the talent to do much more than he did this season.
But how in the hell did they go 17-0 ???
EDIT: I forgot all about Maurice Evans 99-00 -- undrafted, 7-yr. NBA career, currently with the Atlanta Hawks.
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