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By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Texas Longhorns
Big 12 (24-9, 12-4)
Seed: #4
East Region
RPI: 25
Big Wins:
1/31 at Texas Tech (76-64), 2/28 Texas A&M (98-96), 3/10 vs Oklahoma State
(69-64)
Bad Losses:
12/2 Gonzaga (77-87), 1/16 at Oklahoma State (103-105), 2/3 Kansas State
(72-73)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2006, Elite Eight loss to LSU
Coach:
Rick Barnes (14-14 in 14 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
D.J. Augustin,
Freshman, Guard, 14.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, 1.6 spg
A.J. Abrams,
Sophomore, Guard, 15.2 ppg, 1.6 apg
Justin Mason,
Freshman, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Damion James,
Freshman, Forward, 7.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Kevin Durant,
Freshman, Forward, 25.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Key
Roleplayers:
J.D. Lewis,
Junior, Guard, 1.8 ppg, 0.7 apg
Matt Hill,
Freshman, Forward, 2.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Connor Atchley,
Senior, Center, 3.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Dexter Pittman,
Freshman, Center, 2.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
Kevin Durant
can single handedly win a game for the Longhorns. The freshman averages 25.3
points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.9 steals and 1.4 assists. He shoots
nearly 50% from the floor and 80% from the charity stripe. If he is guarded
by a big man, Durant can take them off the dribble and if he is guarded by a
smaller opponent, he will shoot right over them.
Durant is not
the only player who can score in a hurry. Texas hits nearly ten three
balls per contest and any lead is not safe when the long range shooting of
A.J. Abrams, D.J. Augustin and Justin Mason are on the court.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
With four
freshmen starting, youth is the obvious concern in Austin. The youth is most
obviously seen on the defensive end and Coach Rick Barnes will employ a zone
to help hide those deficiencies. The zone defense also hides the fact that
Texas’ starting five cannot handle quality big men. The starting big guys
are only 6-7 and 6-9. On the bench, Texas has some traditional big men in
Matt Hill, Connor Atchley and the slimmed down 315 pound Dexter Pittman.
Who To
Watch:
D.J. Augustin
leads the high power offense of Texas. The 5-11 freshman does a great job of
attacking the basket where he can get the lay-up, dish off to a teammate or
draw a foul. His 6.7 assists per contest ranks among the best in the nation.
Not bad for a freshman, but the most pressure filled games of his career
have yet to be played and how the whole team reacts when the season is over
with a loss will be the difference between a big run and an early exit.
Joel’s
Bracket Says: Second Round loss to USC
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2007 NCAA Tournament Bracket
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