Friday, Oct. 12 The Longhorns have always been able to guard people under Rick Barnes, and have always played hard. The problem has been at the offensive end. The Longhorns have struggled to get easy baskets, and have not always shot the ball well because nobody could create opportunities for shooters. Enter T.J. Ford, the heralded freshman point guard who will bring an end to those problems with his playmaking abilities. Ford can push the ball, find people, deliver the ball, and get easy shots for the Longhorns. Chris Owens will play more facing up in addition to the low block, and James Thomas will blossom in the middle. Watch for Brandon Mouton, who could become a star. Mouton is instinctive, strong, can post, and has a good mid-range game.

22
Texas
LAST SEASON: 25-9
2001 FINAL RANKINGS
ESPN/USA Today: No. 26

Why No. 22?
Just look at what Chris Owens did in China. He was a man-child in Beijing. If he can be a dominant player in the post and T.J. Ford is as good as advertised then the Longhorns have a legit chance to make a run at the Big 12 title and be a tough out throughout the season. Texas might struggle with its perimeter shooting at times, but the Longhorns will still be a tough team to defend in the post and no one wants to play a Rick Barnes team home or on the road.

Will Rise If ...
Royal Ivey and Terrell Ross can be the scoring guards to replace Maurice Evans. The Longhorns won't have a problem at the point with T.J. Ford and they shouldn't struggle inside with Chris Owens, James Thomas and Brandon Mouton. But they can really make a run for a top two spot in the league if they can score, and more importantly make 3s and mid-range jump shots, from the wing.

Will Fall If ...
The Longhorns don't get the help inside, especially off the bench from Brian Boddicker. They need to give Owens a breather, at times, and Boddicker has to live up to his high school hype. The Longhorns interior depth is suspect. If it gets exposed then they're in trouble.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big 12 coach's take on the Longhorns

“

When you play against them, your players have to accept that you're in for a knockdown, drag out war for 40 minutes. They play aggressive, tough defense. They're by far the most physical team in the Big 12. They run through screens in the way they fight through. They attack you constantly inside. They're an excellent rebounding team at both ends. That's the way they teach the game. They're strong, physical and always good on defense. They're not a dirty team, but it's their style. ”

2001-02 TEXAS ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(33) Brian Boddicker	So.	F	6-9/225	PTS: 5.7 | REB: 3.9 | FG%: 36.5
(15) Deginald Erskin	Jr.	F	6-6/220	Transfers in from North Texas with opportunity to play right away
(11) T.J. Ford	Fr.	G	5-11/165	Quick a they come at the point; will step right in and be counted on to distribute
(32) Drew Gressett	So.	G	6-1/162
(24) Royal Ivey	So.	G	6-4/190	PTS: 2.8 | AST: 1.7 | FG%: 36.5
(21) Jason Klotz	Fr.	C	6-10/235	Redshirted 2000-01 season
(3) Brandon Mouton	So.	G/F	6-5/210	PTS: 5.4 | REB: 2.3 | FG%: 39.4
(45) Chris Ogden	Jr.	F	6-7/215	PTS: 2.2 | REB: 1.5 | FG%: 38.2
(20) Chris Owens	Sr.	F	6-8/245	PTS: 14.4 | REB: 7.9 | FG%: 44.0
(23) Terrell Ross	Jr.	G	6-4/190	Should find his way into Barnes' rotation off the bench
(0) James Thomas	So.	C	6-8/220	PTS: 7.0 | REB: 6.5 | FG%: 48.4
(10) Fredie Williams	Sr.	G	5-11/178	PTS: 3.7 | AST: 2.1 | 3PT%: 56.3
(44) Chris Wright	Fr.	F/C	6-10/235	Missed senior season in high school with knee injury
(2) William Wyatt	Jr.	F	6-8/222	PTS: 1.3 | REB: 1.6 | FG%: 31.4
Head Coach: Rick Barnes (68-31, 3 years; Overall: 270-165, 14 years) Assistant Coaches: Brian Cousins, Frank Haith, Russell Springmann Home Court: Frank Erwin Center (16,496); Austin, Texas

2001-02 TEXAS SCHEDULE

November 17: Arizona 21: Indiana (a) 22: Oregon St. (a) 23: TBD (a) 24: TBD (a)

December 1: Stanford (b) 5: Texas A&M-C.C. 10: Washington St. 15: Jacksonville 19: McNeese St. 22: UNLV (c) 29: at Utah

January 2: UT-Pan American 5: at Oklahoma St. 7: Providence 12: Baylor 14: at Texas Tech 19: Nebraska 23: Texas A&M 26: at Baylor 30: at Kansas St.

February 2: Oklahoma 6: at Texas A&M 9: Colorado 11: Kansas 17: at Missouri 20: Oklahoma St. 23: at Oklahoma 26: Texas Tech

March 2: at Iowa State 7: Big 12 Tournament