AUSTIN -- With T.J. Ford on his way to the NBA, the Texas Longhorns go from great team to good, from a preseason national title favorite to a team trying to prove that it can return to the Final Four.

	T.J. Ford led Texas to its first Final Four in 56 years.

Ford was the star power behind Texas' two-year rise from a solid program to one that could contend for a national title.

The All-American point guard won the Naismith and Wooden awards as the national player of the year while guiding Texas to its first Final Four in 56 years.

"He has done more in two years for Texas basketball than anyone who's come before him," coach Rick Barnes said.

It was Ford's speed, passing and penetration that kept defenses off balance. But with his announcement Thursday that he will leave Texas to enter the NBA draft on June 26, the Longhorns are left looking for someone to take over a lineup full of senior role players that suddenly lacks a floor leader.

Ford said it was a difficult to leave and didn't make up his mind until Wednesday night, although published reports as early as Tuesday had him leaving.

He said he struggled with giving up a college career he enjoyed but ultimately wanted to chase a life-long dream to play in the NBA. Ford had said during the season he was "110 percent" sure he would return but started wavering soon after Texas lost to eventual national champion Syracuse in the semifinals.

"I don't think I could have made a wrong decision," he said. "It was a no-lose situation."

Ford has not hired an agent, giving him time to change his mind, but he gave no indication Thursday that was likely. His lofty status as a projected lottery pick in the draft played a major role in his decision, he said.

"I feel like I'm making the right decision. I'm not shaky about it at all," said Ford. "I accomplished a lot of things in college. The only thing I didn't do was win the national championship."

Ford led Texas in scoring (15.0 points), assists (7.0) and steals (2.0) this season and led the nation in assists as a freshman. His 527 career assists rank second in school history.

Barnes said he expected this decision before the season even started.

"I knew all along that if he had the type of year he was capable of having, he would have to make this decision," Barnes said. "It's the right thing to do. This is his dream."

Ford said a recent injury scare, when he spent four hours in the emergency room after falling in a pickup game, was not a factor.

Before his freshman season at Texas began in the fall of 2001, Ford was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the openings of the vertebra the spinal cord runs through. After consulting with doctors, he decided against surgery to fix the problem, and tests later showed that the condition had improved.

Texas returns four starters -- James Thomas, Royal Ivey, Brandon Mouton and Brad Buckman -- and top reserves Brian Boddicker and Sydmill Harris for next season. Barnes said the Longhorns will strive to return to the Final Four.

"This junior class that is getting ready to become the senior class, they're the foundation for this program," Barnes said. "They raised the bar."

To replace Ford, the Longhorns are likely to turn to freshman Kenton Paulino, who hardly played as a freshman, or junior college transfer Edgar Moreno. Another choice is Ivey, who played point guard as a freshman before Ford arrived.

Thomas said the team supported Ford's decision, even though Ford had taken back the promise to return.

"We're real happy for him," Thomas said. "We all support his decision, but we have to move on. We're very happy with the team we have now and hopefully next year we can do the same thing."