Head Coach: Rick Barnes
2008-09 Record (Big 12): 23–12 (9–7)
2008-09 Postseason: NCAA: Defeated Minnesota 76–62, lost to Duke 74–69 in the second round
Key Losses: G A.J. Abrams (16.6 ppg, 1.3 spg), F/C Connor Atchley (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg)

2009-10 Big 12 Prediction: 2nd

Dexter Pittman returns for his senior season at Texas because he wants to polish his skills another year in hopes of having a “long NBA career.” But there’s another reason — a chance to win a national title. “On paper, I think we’re the best team in the country,” Pittman says.

Even when you ask Rick Barnes if he has any concerns about this year’s team, Barnes says no. “We’ve always had high expectations,” Barnes says. “We’re not afraid of that. Our guys are really good, and we’re going to have great competition in practice. Guys are going to have to earn their time, and I like that we’ve got more depth than we’ve had in a long, long time.”

The Longhorns have more versatility and depth than at any time since Barnes’ team went to the Final Four in 2003 led by point guard T.J. Ford. This year’s version of Ford may well be incoming freshman Avery Bradley, a player whose stock has skyrocketed since the 6'3" guard committed to the Longhorns in September 2008.

“We’ve never had a player improve more from the time he committed to us to the time he got to campus,” Barnes says.

Frontcourt

It probably wasn’t a huge surprise when Pittman announced he was coming back considering that his breakout at Texas happened only late last season. But forward Damion James’ decision to return looked like it might cause a scholarship jam for a moment, until backup guard Harrison Smith decided to transfer.

James averaged 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season. His athletic presence, combined with Pittman’s size and strength, gives Texas one of the most formidable frontcourt tandems in the country. Pittman showed he could become the focal point of the team’s offense during the Big 12 Tournament last season, when he averaged a double-double and simply took over games at times. He has added a left-handed hook to go with his bread-and-butter righty hook and has worked all summer on a 15-foot jump shot so he can be part of the team’s pick-and-pop offense.

Barnes asked Pittman and forward Gary Johnson to work harder on going after rebounds instead of camping out in one spot. And Barnes has body after body to throw at teams along the baseline thanks to juniors Clint Chapman and Matt Hill and sophomore Alexis Wangmene, who sat out last season with a knee injury.

“I think we’re going to beat some teams up physically,” Pittman says. “This team has a tough mindset, from the guards to the big men.”

Backcourt

It may be hard for the Longhorns’ three returning guards to get a lot of playing time this season because of four new faces. Dogus Balbay settled in at the point guard position late last season but was not a threat to shoot and was so poor at free throw shooting that Barnes had to take him off the floor in the final minutes of close games. Guards Justin Mason and Varez Ward were better defenders than they were scorers.

They could all become role players with the arrivals of Bradley; point guard Jai Lucas, the son of former NBA coach John Lucas and a transfer from Florida; freshman wing Jordan Hamilton, who appeared to be the crown jewel of a national top-5 recruiting class until Bradley’s stock soared; and Shawn Williams, another freshman wing with deep range. Combo guard J’Covan Brown also figures to make an impact. Brown was academically ineligible last season but spent a year improving his high school transcript and reapplied for enrollment.

“We’re going to be a good defensive team because we have guys who can stay in front of the ball, and we’re going to be a good rebounding team,” Barnes says. “That’s what I’m excited about.”

Final Analysis

Last year, Texas had little consistency at point guard and struggled to score at key points in games. Those issues should be gone this season with all the talent Barnes is adding and with what should be the improved play of James and Pittman. Barnes will look to run while still working a lot of the Longhorns’ offense through Pittman, a dominating presence inside at 6'10" and 298 pounds.

Texas is playing North Carolina, Michigan State, Connecticut and USC in non-conference play, but the battle for the Big 12 is likely to be waged between Texas and Kansas. And this year’s game between the two is in Austin.

Bradley could be a one-and-done talent, so Barnes needs to make the most of his time in burnt orange.