Everything Texas Basketball... Nugget included

[Shaunsters]

Any question related to this basketball team, the coaching search, recruiting questions.... This is where to ask or discuss!

Recruiting updated-

Was working on this for the crossfire, but just got the info I needed right now.

2014 F/C Myles Turner was recently spotted wearing a lot of burnt orange at and around school. If you know Turner he is a very reserve kid, so to see this kid wearing Texas gear is a big step for Texas.

I was told last night and got 2nd confirmation from the AAU side that Texas is now neck and neck with Kansas. With Texas considered to be the slight favorite, the talk lately has been on how Texas bigs have been playing. Some people say sometime I'm to optimistic on stuff. But hearing this from a very pro Kansas guy in the Dallas area has made me believe. Texas right now is 1, at least behind the scenes. Despite what is said in interviews, about no leaders.

I can't overstate how big a recruit Turner is. The kid is legit and a sure fire All Conference player as a freshman. If Texas continues to improve and let's say win 18 games and Barnes lands Turner. I would find it hard to believe Rick would be gone this year. But it could happen I guess. However if Texas wins 15 games or so and starts to lose the edge they are playing with now, it's no doubt Ricks last year.

I have always been very critical of Barnes. But I will say what he is doing this year is a breath of fresh air.

Let's try and get this thread active. I'm a open book.

 

[theknighttrain]

I've watched a couple of the games so far on LHN, love the team's hustle and better athletic ability.

But Shaunsters, wouldn't you think Patterson would favor a more aggressive/open-style coach than Barnes?

 

[Shaunsters]

Yes I think, actually I know Patterson wants a big name. I really believe Billy Donovan is the big catch I just don't know if Billy d will leave. Possibly though.

What would you do if Barnes get us in the NCAA tourney with a young team and lands Turner? Then it will be harder for patterson

 

[Lord Vader]

How much of this years early success is attributable to the players and not the coaching?

(ie, is this a player ran team who is doing it in spite of Barnes, or has he actually went back to work now his free ride retired?)

 

[DizzG]

is shaka smart still a name going around? I know that was heavily mentioned when the AD was thought to be luck

 

[mesoHorny]

If this team plays well it only proves that Barnes is a great coach of non elite players but is unable to find common ground with the AAU pre madonnas that are required to win it all. Either way I think it says RB needs to go.

 

[NLeininger]

If this team plays well it only proves that Barnes is a great coach of non elite players but is unable to find common ground with the AAU pre madonnas that are required to win it all. Either way I think it says RB needs to go.

What AAU pre madonnas are you talking about? Surely not Julian Lewis and Sheldon McClellan?

 

[riloh05]

i think the program is being held hostage... even if mt comes we know that rb has his limitations. who cares if the team can improve... we arent very rich on the talent side, we are rich on the play your butt off. add mt to the mix and we are still a first weekend exit at best. this has/was proven with KD. no need to rehash and no need to wallow in being medium.

 

[NLeininger]

i think the program is being held hostage... even if mt comes we know that rb has his limitations. who cares if the team can improve... we arent very rich on the talent side, we are rich on the play your butt off. add mt to the mix and we are still a first weekend exit at best. this has/was proven with KD. no need to rehash and no need to wallow in being medium.

So much wrong here.

 

[riloh05]

So much wrong here.

go on...

 

[Shaunsters]

is shaka smart still a name going around? I know that was heavily mentioned when the AD was thought to be luck

Smart has always been on the radar but I have heard from the start behind buzz Williams. And of course Billy d and if Self was ever interested.

 

[Shaunsters]

How much of this years early success is attributable to the players and not the coaching?
(ie, is this a player ran team who is doing it in spite of Barnes, or has he actually went back to work now his free ride retired?)

Credit to the coaches for getting the young kids on all the same page. Also give credit to the kids for believing in the coaching and system.

It's been a really good mix. With certain distractions gone this year

 

[NLeininger]

go on...

You don't necessarily need elite talent to win in March as multiple bracket busters have shown us recently, but it certainly helps.

Adding a legit Top 5 pick talent to what Texas already has is very similar to adding TJ Ford to the 2001-2003 teams.

Very few teams have survived long March runs when you have as little experience as Texas did in 2006-2007, even Kentucky needed to have veteran leadership to get to the final weekend of the tournament as they did in the 2010-2012 seasons.

Calipari's freshmen dominated teams lost in the Elite 8(2009-2010), and made the NIT(last season).

All this to say, I would have no problems if Barnes loses his job but to say Texas can't succeed again with him is ridiculous as Barnes's best teams have always been upperclassmen dominant with elite freshmen sprinkled in.

 

[NLeininger]

Smart has always been on the radar but I have heard from the start behind buzz Williams. And of course Billy d and if Self was ever interested.

I agree you take your swing at Self before moving on.

 

[Pancho Negro]

Yes I think, actually I know Patterson wants a big name. I really believe Billy Donovan is the big catch I just don't know if Billy d will leave. Possibly though.
What would you do if Barnes get us in the NCAA tourney with a young team and lands Turner? Then it will be harder for patterson

Still needs to be given his walking papers. We've heard that same song and dance before (Durant)

The program is stale. Sure, the play this year is WAY more exciting than the last few years, but a.) it's early b.) we've also seen THIS before, and c.) we would be making excuses to keep RB instead of starting fresh. Making the NCAA should be a given, no matter how young/old the team is. Texas can be a force in college basketball, but certainly not with Barnes at the helm, no matter how many recruits he lands.

Time to start fresh. Wipe the Dodds regime completely out.

 

[riloh05]

You don't necessarily need elite talent to win in March as multiple bracket busters have shown us recently, but it certainly helps.Adding a legit Top 5 pick talent to what Texas already has is very similar to adding TJ Ford to the 2001-2003 teams.

Very few teams have survived long March runs when you have as little experience as Texas did in 2006-2007, even Kentucky needed to have veteran leadership to get to the final weekend of the tournament as they did in the 2010-2012 seasons.

Calipari's freshmen dominated teams lost in the Elite 8(2009-2010), and made the NIT(last season).

All this to say, I would have no problems if Barnes loses his job but to say Texas can't succeed again with him is ridiculous as Barnes's best teams have always been upperclassmen dominant with elite freshmen sprinkled in.

this is the same as mb situation. 1. we arent a mid major. our flaws will be exposed against kansas, osu, etc... 2. we do not have the coaching in place that wsu, butler, vcu have. 3. we arent caliparis teams.

we agree on the end result... but these are some astronomical stretches. good on you for seeing this glass as half empty. i am still the guy who sees a team with a fast break completion.

 

[3xhorndad]

Smart has always been on the radar but I have heard from the start behind buzz Williams. And of course Billy d and if Self was ever interested.

Shaunsters....

Have enjoyed your posts on the board and other boards in the past as well..

Do you honestly think that we could pull a Donovan or Self? I have often dreamed of us getting a high profile coach like that, but I still see them using Texas as a hedge for a big pay raise in their now comfortable schools......Or is the threat of being a bust at Texas too much for them? There is/will be heat to produce.

Like most loyal Texas fans, I long for a consistent run at the Big Dance every year. I feel we need a young new blood, that not only teaches sound fundamentals, demands effort on the court, and makes it fun for the players...(I had always hoped for Brad Stephens).

Tough for a Football school, but it can/must be done. Look at OSU, Florida, Michigan, The OSU, and now Duke(in reverse)....Traditional competitors making big strides in the other big sports. We must demand it....

Patterson has a big job ahead of him. Let's hope he can get it done...and soon.

Buzz or Shaka would be homeruns.....

Next is to get the students down on the floor......Did you see Duke last night? that is what we should have....

Keep us informed....thanks

 

[Topstarr]

Smart has always been on the radar but I have heard from the start behind buzz Williams. And of course Billy d and if Self was ever interested.

Good report...........I like Buzz Williams and Shaka Smart, but Billy D will not come from what I hear (maybe my hearing is getting worse or is gone)

 

[Nakona Horn]

Any chance we look at Sean Miller?