Rick Barnes

[Darrell McPhaul]

Am I the only one shocked the BBall teams success and the job that Barnes has done putting this team together?

 

[Turd Ferguson]

You're not the only one. I bet everyone is surprised by their start so far.

 

[ZoomAir34]

Very impressed with this teams composure this year. The freshman that he brought in have made a serious impact. I think Croaker is being underutilized but that is me. He seem like he is their best offensive threat.

 

[BevoBlake]

It's certainly been surprising but I'm not going to get excited yet. I feel like this is the Mack Brown situation all over again. Exceeding expectations until it's time to show up for a Championship.

 

[Pancho Negro]

I'm very surprised that I actually like this team. With that being said, we are really on pace for where we should be with this schedule. We are 10-1 at this point and I believe I had us (in my person preditions) at 9-2 at this point and then 9-3 after Saturday's date with Michigan State (which is in Austin so GO TO THE GAME!) So we really aren't too off win/loss wise from where we should be.

Where we will really find out about this team is during conference play. Keep in mind--we've seen Barnes' teams play lights out like this before (See: 2009-2010) only to flame out later in the season.

No matter how we finish, I still think it's time for a "mutual" parting of ways between Barnes and UT. It's time for a cultural and regime change. Need fresh air in that sport, big time. I have a feeling that Barnes will get another year though.

 

[Thiggystyle]

I guess the question is what are our expectations and then ask yourself what should our expectations be at UT? I understand the situation coming into the year and the young squad but whose doing is that? The talk around a new coach was centered around some really tier 1 coaches that would bring expectations of yearly top 15 squads - are our expectations of Barnes different? Does he get a pass? I'm not sure how I feel about it all yet but I'd like to hear others thoughts.

 

[JimR]

Am I the only one shocked the BBall teams success and the job that Barnes has done putting this team together?

I am not shocked at all. he is and has been my favorite UT coach.

 

[seahawkhorn]

When do they update BB rankings? Very curious to see if they sneak into the top 25

 

[NLeininger]

It's certainly been surprising but I'm not going to get excited yet. I feel like this is the Mack Brown situation all over again. Exceeding expectations until it's time to show up for a Championship.

Please, this team is a year away from playing for a championship. Everyone who actually follows UT basketball and understands college basketball knows it. There is no valid comparison to be made between Mack Brown and Rick Barnes in regards to this season and the expectations.

Now to the whole point of being surprised, yes, to an extent. But this team is not without talent. 6 out of the 9 rotational players were Top 100 players. What you are seeing the natural development taking it's course with Ridley, Ibeh, Lammert, Holmes, and Holland. You also have a team where every player is a team first guy.

Adding a guy like Myles Turner would be like adding TJ to the 2001 team which was ready but needed that one Top guy to put them over the top. If Texas does get Turner then out of the 13 players on scholarship 9 will be Top 100 guys. 2 Top 10 and then 7 in the 20-80 range that are more likely 3+ program players that need development to become good to outstanding college players. In other words, he's building his team like Tom Izzo builds his.

 

[Pancho Negro]

When do they update BB rankings? Very curious to see if they sneak into the top 25

I think Tuesdays

 

[seahawkhorn]

I think Tuesdays

Looks like the last update was last Monday

 

[Pancho Negro]

Looks like the last update was last Monday

Yeah, I thought it was either Monday or Tuesday.

What's funny is that we could go from not receiving any votes to top 15 if we win tomorrow! That would be crazy. If we play Michigan State close, I think we sneak in somewhere between 22-25.

I'll answer the other questions/comments in this thread later after I proofread my research paper!

 

[BevoBlake]

Please, this team is a year away from playing for a championship.

There really isn't a need to be condescending.

Everyone who actually follows UT basketball and understands college basketball knows it. There is no valid comparison to be made between Mack Brown and Rick Barnes in regards to this season and the expectations.

Nor is there a need to be presumptuous. I follow UT Basketball. I understand College Basketball. Barnes is comparable to Mack in the last few years as he's found great talent but hasn't been able to put it together. Now he's exceeding expectations in his last year, just as Mack did, when both know/knew their jobs were on the line.

Comparable: able to be likened to another; similar.

Tell me again how they're not comparable? Nobody is speaking of expectations, as I had none for this team. It's a good crop of players, just like Texas always has. And I'm proud that they've seemed to have found themselves thus far. But one of the biggest gripes with Barnes is and has always been, his inability to get this team to finish. I'm not saying this is a National Championship team. I'm not saying this is a BIG 12 Championship team. Although, I'm not really that impressed by anyone else outside of Okie State in the BIG 12 thus far. I'm not expecting this team to win a Championship. I'm just not expecting them to show up in whatever rounds they're able to make it to this year. Because that is Barnes.

 

[Shaunsters]

Listen he is doing something he hasnt done since KD. He is working with the Asst well and he really has formed a bond with this team. I stated this question at the start of the season... If he get this young team in the NCAA tourney should he get another year. I believe he should. Not that he will but that he should.

He is having fun this year and from what I heard its because he knew he was gone, so lets go have fun, work hard and see what happens. I really wish he had this mindset the past 6 years or so. Could have been a special run

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Please, this team is a year away from playing for a championship. Everyone who actually follows UT basketball and understands college basketball knows it. There is no valid comparison to be made between Mack Brown and Rick Barnes in regards to this season and the expectations.

Now to the whole point of being surprised, yes, to an extent. But this team is not without talent. 6 out of the 9 rotational players were Top 100 players. What you are seeing the natural development taking it's course with Ridley, Ibeh, Lammert, Holmes, and Holland. You also have a team where every player is a team first guy.

Adding a guy like Myles Turner would be like adding TJ to the 2001 team which was ready but needed that one Top guy to put them over the top. If Texas does get Turner then out of the 13 players on scholarship 9 will be Top 100 guys. 2 Top 10 and then 7 in the 20-80 range that are more likely 3+ program players that need development to become good to outstanding college players. In other words, he's building his team like Tom Izzo builds his.

Great insight.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

I wonder if he is going to be asked to reach certain goals like Mack was or step down?

 

[NLeininger]

Tell me again how they're not comparable? Nobody is speaking of expectations, as I had none for this team. It's a good crop of players, just like Texas always has. And I'm proud that they've seemed to have found themselves thus far. But one of the biggest gripes with Barnes is and has always been, his inability to get this team to finish. I'm not saying this is a National Championship team. I'm not saying this is a BIG 12 Championship team. Although, I'm not really that impressed by anyone else outside of Okie State in the BIG 12 thus far. I'm not expecting this team to win a Championship. I'm just not expecting them to show up in whatever rounds they're able to make it to this year. Because that is Barnes.

Because Mack had the most experienced team in the country returning and promised that 2013 would be the year Texas returns to the elite. I don't think Barnes ever created such lofty expectations for this season for his team. So there is valid comparison to be made, other than by people who have agendas to get rid of Barnes. If that's the case, then just say it. You don't like Barnes and want him gone. I'm fine with it either way, but I understand that Barnes created Texas basketball, unlike Brown that inherited it. I think the expectations for Barnes are the NCAA tournament and signing Turner. If he does both he stays. Making the NCAA tournament is in no way close to comparable to winning the Big 12 football championship and going to the BCS bowl. Only intellectual dishonest people think that way.

 

[NLeininger]

I wonder if he is going to be asked to reach certain goals like Mack was or step down?

I think every coach at Texas should have to reach certain goals depending on reasonable expectations that change given the changes in players in the program. For Barnes, it should the NCAA tournament and signing Myles Turner. For Garrido, I think it has to be reaching a Super Regional as Texas should have a very talented pitching staff. Mack already missed his goals and was shown the door.

 

[BevoBlake]

Because Mack had the most experienced team in the country returning and promised that 2013 would be the year Texas returns to the elite. I don't think Barnes ever created such lofty expectations for this season for his team. So there is valid comparison to be made, other than by people who have agendas to get rid of Barnes. If that's the case, then just say it. You don't like Barnes and want him gone. I'm fine with it either way, but I understand that Barnes created Texas basketball, unlike Brown that inherited it. I think the expectations for Barnes are the NCAA tournament and signing Turner. If he does both he stays. Making the NCAA tournament is in no way close to comparable to winning the Big 12 football championship and going to the BCS bowl. Only intellectual dishonest people think that way.

I don't have an agenda, I want what is best for Texas Basketball. Simply put, Barnes hasn't been the best for Texas basketball. If he gets it turned around in the next two years, I'll happily eat crow (figuratively). Simply because my opinion differs from yours, doesn't mean I have some preconceived bias. Barnes has his faults, I call him on them. I'm not job hunting, I'm calling it how I see it. If he gets things turned around, I'd love to have him Coach Texas well into the future. But if he doesn't, I think he's had more than enough time to do so.

Brown didn't inherit Texas Football. We were in very poor shape when Mack showed up. And you're right, making the tournament isn't comparable to winning a BIG XII Championship. Because sixty-eight teams get to make the tournament.