UT Men's Basketball Preview
By Robert Gabriel, 4:26PM, Tue. Nov. 7, 2006
The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team now has a pair of exhibition victories in the bag, and for the most part, so far so decent. The starting guard combination of freshman D.J. Augustin and sophomore A.J. Abrams seems to contain enough quickness, instinct, and pure ability to man the backcourt with authority. Potential shortfall number one comes in the form of the starting frontcourt combination of sophomore Connor Atchley and freshmen Kevin Durant and Damion James lacking much of a truly physical presence. That’s where 6’10”, 300-plus pound freshman Dexter Pittman is guaranteed to fill in, but all things currently point to coach Rick Barnes needing to do one of his very best jobs of coaching in order to get this youthful team up to par with the expectations being thrust upon them. All too often in their game against Xavier, there were four offensive players standing motionless way too close together along the three-point line. While the intent has been set for this spry team to run like the wind, it’s the Horns half-court offense that will make or break it as it attempts to knock the likes of the now-mighty Texas A&M Aggies down to size.
2K Sports College Hoops Classic: Chicago State vs. St. Bonaventure: Thu., Nov. 9, 5:30pm. UT Vs. Alcorn State: Thu., Nov. 9, 8:30pm. Consolation game: Fri., Nov. 10, 5:30pm. Championship game: Fri., Nov. 10, 7:30pm. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River. For more, see TexasSports.com.
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