Sometimes you have to look forward
To all the Texas fans who are still spending their time analyzing the 2010 Texas sports season, including a loss to Alabama in Pasadena, the complete breakdown of the basketball team after being ranked number one in January, a loss to LSU in the college world series championship game, and possibly the worst football season in school history, its time to get your minds out of the gutter.
Longhorn fans have much to look forward to in 2011 and well beyond.
Starting with the AP 12th ranked Texas basketball team. The Longhorns have already exceeded many fans expectations. Rick Barnes’ team started the season with a strong performance in the 2K Sports Classic, where the Longhorns knocked out favored Illinois in the semifinals and nearly beat No. 4 Pittsburg in the championship game. After dropping their second loss of the season to USC, Texas responded by recording impressive road victories at North Carolina and Michigan State.
Sophomore forward/guard, Jordan Hamilton, has transformed his game from a year ago and leads the Longhorns with 19.5 points per game and 7.3 rebounds a game while shooting .423 from behind the arc. While senior Gary Johnson provides steady support, the arrival of McDonald’s All-Americans Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson from Findlay Prep in Nevada give the Longhorns a chance to be great.
Forward/Center, Tristan Thompson, is averaging over 11 points and 8 rebounds per game, close to a double-double, over the first 12 games of his career, with many of his best games coming against the toughest teams on the schedule. The 6-8 freshman has a sweet left hand and a great inside game. Thompson also gives the Longhorns a shoot blocking defensive presence, who can deny opponents the lane, averaging 2 blocks per game.
Point Guard, Corey Joseph, who played with Tristan Thompson in high school, leads the team in assists and is third in scoring with 11.6 points per game. Joseph has averaged close to 20 points over the last four games including a 21 point performance against North Carolina.
Rick Barnes’ team is not without depth. Senior guard, Dogus Balbay, is one of the premier on ball defenders in college basketball and currently maintains a 2 to 1 Assist to turnover ratio. Sophomore guard, J’Covan Brown, gives the Longhorns instant offense off the bench while Junior forward, Alexis Wangmene, and Senior Center, Matt Hill, provide strength in the lane.
In 2011, the Longhorn Basketball team will play a very difficult regular season schedule including games against #4 Connecticut, #3 Kansas, and host of talented Big 12 teams. These opportunities to pad the Longhorn tournament resume gives the team a very high ceiling when it comes to seeding for the NCAA tournament in March. Rick Barnes’ team will be a very tough outcome tournament time.
The future of Texas basketball is bright as well. Rick Barnes recently signed an excellent 2011 recruiting class with four players in the Rivals150 including class headliner Myck Kabongo, a five star guard from Findlay Prep.
Stop looking back at 2010, and start looking forward to 2011.
Luke Geter
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