Time to Put Texas in It's Place
With it's recent trouncing of Missouri at home, holding the offensive-thrilling Tigers to just 58 points. That's the lowest output of the season for the Big 12's highest-scoring offense. Offensively, Texas has the perimeter fire-power to get up and down the court with anyone in the country and defensively, they are starting to lock teams down.
Are they a national contender? Let's take a deeper look at the Big 12's top team.
Jordan Hamilton is one of the nations best, while freshman Tristan Thompson is coming along as their go-to guy on the inside. The x-factor on the team may be senior Gary Johnson, a highly productive, though under-the-radar forward with the ability to play physical down low or show off his finesse from 12-feet out.
Rick Barnes has two capable point guards: Dogus Balbay, a senior, and a highly touted freshman, Cory Joseph. Balbay can lock down opposing guards, just like he did when Missouri's 17 point per game scorer Marcus Denmon was held to just 7 points or when Kemba Walker went 8-for-27 from the field weeks ago.
And that's just the starting five. Add in guard J'Covan Brown, a more than capable scorer from the outside, and Jai Lucas, a little-used guard, but serviceable back up. Matt Hill and Alexis Wangmene are frontcourt bodies that focus on bringing energy and adequate post defenders.
The Longhorns have an upcoming contest at College Station against Texas A&M, where the Aggies rarely use. Of course, this is the same Texas A&M team that just lost to Nebraska on the road over the weekend and previously lost to Texas by 21 less than two weeks ago.
By President Corey Ruff - 1-31-11
