Jordan Hamilton and Texas Quieting Critics

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

They say the non-conference games are beneficial to the preparation of a team headed into conference play. Obviously, coach Rick Barnes got the memo, and his players have responded well.

After playing the toughest non-conference schedule in the Big 12, the Texas Longhorns (19-3, 7-0) have jumped out to a perfect 7-0 conference record, which is their best start in school history.

Before the season, no coaches thought the Longhorns were going to capture the Big 12 title after losing Damion James, Dexter Pittman, and Avery Bradley to the NBA draft.

Especially, witnessing the Longhorns meltdown mid-season, a year before, after being placed in the National Championship talks.

No question, this year's Texas squad has been more impressive than the 17-0 Longhorns from a year ago.

"We were four games in, and I told the team, we're just getting started," said coach Barnes. "I talked all year long about the rhythm of our team, our routine, and not only what we do in practice, it's everything we do, and I really give my guys credit for that."

The Longhorns have been very impressive on both ends of the floor. Four Longhorns average double figure scoring led by Jordan Hamilton, who scores 19 points per game. As a team, Texas scores 76.5 points per game, while shooting 37 percent from deep.

Things only get better on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Barnes has done a great job of utilizing his team's athletic ability on the defensive end.

The Longhorns have held teams to an average of 60 points per game.

Texas is one of the most disciplined teams on the glass. When a shot goes up, all players are crashing the boards.

Hamilton and freshman Tristian Thompson both average a team high 7.5 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Longhorns are snatching down 41.4 a game, 27.9 coming on the defensive glass. Texas is able to track down so many rebounds, due to its terrific defense.

The Longhorns smother you on defense, not allowing you to get a clean look at the basket. The Longhorns are holding teams to 36 percent from the field and 27 percent from downtown.

Texas has shown flashes of brilliance in many ways this season. Their play has them as the latest contender to make the Final Four and compete for the National Championship.

"I've been doing this 24 years as an assistant coach and head coach, and I haven't seen many teams as good as Texas" said Texas A&M's head coach Mark Turgeon. "Playing at that level they're playing at, I thought they were fantastic."

Texas understands who their stars are and utilizes their abilities. Hamilton, their sophomore leader, has exceeded expectations and has become the Longhorns No. 1 threat on offense.

Hamilton shoots 47 percent from the field, and 42 percent from the three-point line, while taking around 14 shots per game.

His improvement, and continuous progression is one reason Texas can be labeled contenders. Hamilton current stat line looks something like this: 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assist per game.

Running mate, and possibly the x-factor for Texas, Thompson has continued to impress and his name dips in-and-out NBA draft conversations.

Thompson has shot an impressive 53 percent from the field during conference play, and is certainly the gas that fueled the Longhorns over previous Big 12 champ Kansas.

Thompson averages 12.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. His intensity in the frontcourt has helped Texas stay atop of the College Basketball polls. The Longhorns are currently listed as the No. 3 ranked team in the nation after starting the season out No. 25.

Freshman guard Cory Joseph has been a great contributor, as is, senior Gary Johnson, J'Covan Brown, and Dogus Balbay.

The pressure is certainly on Texas now as the conference race starts to speed up, and teams are starting to really take notice. The Longhorns have the chance to finish undefeated in the Big 12 after winning against Mizzou, Texas A&M, and Kansas.

They've proven they can win on the road, and protect their home court. The Longhorns are for real this year, and could pose a huge threat come March.

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Texas Poised to Steal Big 12 Title

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Texas Longhorns (10-2) were selected to finish third in the Big 12 conference by the coaches before the season.

Texas returned four key players in Gary Johnson, J'Covan Brown, Dogus Balbay, and most importantly Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton was looked to fill the void of departed senior Damion James, and has done just that.

Freshman Tristian Thompson, and Cory Joseph only added to the star power and the Longhorns are looking great headed into conference play.

Last year, after an undefeated non-conference slate of games, and No. 1 ranking, Texas lack of a true point guard came back to hunt them.

Heading into Big 12 play this time around, Texas has enough star power to finish atop of the tough Big 12 conference.

Head Coach Rick Barnes has key wins over ranked teams such as Illinois, North Carolina and a huge win on the road against Michigan State.

Frosh Joseph has shown maturity by stepping up and making key plays down the stretch. With the game on the line against North Carolina, Josephs nailed what would be a game winner over Dexter Strickland with 1.4 seconds left.

Coach Barnes has always wanted freshman Josephs to be assertive in the offense, and since stepping up against the Tar Heels, he has become a totally different player.

He averages 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assist per game. He is also a great on-ball defender, and can make garbage plays on both ends of the floor.

His counterpart Thompson hasn't been short from magnificent either. Thompson currently leads the Longhorns in rebounding with eight per game, while chipping in 11.2 points.

Thompson's 17 points, and 15 rebounds helped Texas come up with a huge win on the road against the Spartans. Texas managed to finally hand Michigan State its first loss in 53 tries.

Once James graduated and took his talents to the NBA, coach Barnes immediately turned to his sophomore Hamilton to fill the void. Hamilton has been magnificent for Texas this season, and has shown signs of departed James.

Hamilton has been the biggest success story after being sidelined with injury for most of last year. Hamilton leads Texas in scoring with 19.5 points, while also adding 7.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assist per game.

In the past two games against worthy opponents, Hamilton has chipped in a total of 45 points, and 18 rebounds.

The x-factor this season is 6-foot-6 senior Johnson. All season, Johnson has come alive on the glass grabbing 7.3 boards per outing. He isn't shy in the scoring column either chipping in 11.8 points per game as well.

Texas latest win over Michigan State helped solidify its dominance as a basketball power. The Longhorns understand who their superstars are and the ball always seems to find them in late game situations.

The Longhorns are currently on a 4-game winning streak that highlights wins over North Carolina, and Michigan State.

Before the Longhorns can even think about a Big 12 title, they'll have a to win it through Kansas and Kansas State. Both of the two are very impressive Big 12 opponents, and could end up with the title when its all said and done.

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No. 22 Texas Longhorns Upset No. 16 Illinois in OT

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1) came into the game with a huge advantage of having depth over the No. 22 Texas Longhorns (3-0).

Texas also had the advantage in the frontcourt averaging almost 50 rebounds per game.

The game was better than advertised. The see-saw affair needed more than 40-minutes to decide which team would play the No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers in the championship game.

 Two freshman, Jereme Richmond and Corey Joseph both nailed shots to tie things up before the buzzer.

In overtime, Texas came out the gates with an 8-0 run that virtually put the Longhorns in the driver seat.

Despite two big three-point field goals by Illinois Bill Cole that pulled the game within three, the Longhorns hit two free throws in the final minute to pull away in the final seconds 90-84.

Tristian Thompson led all scorers with 20 points, seven rebounds, five blocks, and four assist. Jordan Hamilton continues to lead to the Longhorns in scoring with 25-points, with seven rebounds and three steals.

Gary Johnson (16), and Corey Joseph (10) were the other Longhorns in double-figures on the night. Despite their blemish at the free-throw line, shot 25-44 from the line, the Longhorns made key turnovers on defense to help pull away from the Illini.

Illinois picked up their first loss on the season, and that could have been a result to frontier force Mike Tisdale fouling out only picking up seven points and rebounds apiece.

Richmond also picked up his fifth foul in overtime, and that didn't help the Illini out either. Not to mention, the Illinois shot a daunting 37 percent from the line.

However, what doesn't show up in the stat book is Dougus Balbay's defense on McCamey. Balbay on finished with five points, eight rebounds, and three assist, but his defense is what sent the Longhorns to the winners circle.

Balbay played tough defense on one of the top guards in the nation, and did not let him touch the ball in key situations.

This is one of the reason why Texas could overcome a 22 point, eight assist, five rebound and two steal performance by the talented guard McCamey.

The Illini did not get much of a lift from their bench in the second half, although two reserves were in double-figures on the night; both Richmond with 11, and Brandon Paul with 12.

D.J. Richardson also checked in with 15, but the defense of Texas was too tough to overcome in overtime for the Illini. Texas moves on to face No. 4 Pitt in the championship, while Illinois will play Maryland in a third place game.

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Perry Jones Among The Talented Big 12 Newcomers

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Big 12 conference is consistently one of the best conferences in College Basketball. You can credit the coaches, and players for playing hard year-in and out.

You can also credit some of the efforts to recruiting. The Big 12 is notorious for bringing in elite talent. The Kansas Jayhawks are usually the program to bring in the most talented recruiting class.

However, this year that goes to the Baylor Bears. Freshman Perry Jones is ready to show people in Waco that he is the real deal.

But, Jones isn't the only talented newcomer. Josh Selby from Kansas is also among the talented newcomers.

Cameron Clark will have a big year as a Sooner. Not to mention, Missouri's Ricardo Ratliffe was selected by Big 12 coaches as the top newcomer this season.

Here is an complete list of the top newcomers in the Big 12 this season.

Corey Joseph (UT) - Corey Joseph reminds me a lot of former Longhorn Avery Bradley. Joseph isn't a true point guard but can lead the Longhorn attack. Not to mention, his scoring ability brings another dimension to the backcourt. Joseph's weak point is defense, but I see that improving with more minutes on the court. With the ball, Joseph is one of the most entertaining guards.

Perry Jones (BU) - Perry Jones, was the highest rated recruit to sign with the Baylor Bears. He has a 6-foot-10 frame, with the ability to play on the wing. He has the ability to handle the ball at 6-foot-10, which allows him to create mix-matches outside the paint. Every time the ball is in Jones hands Coach Scott Drew can expect production. With Jones at Baylor, the Bears are among the favorable teams with a chance to win the Big 12.

Josh Selby (KU) - Selby's scoring ability is favorable and creates problems for any opposition. His passing is improving, and playing with an experienced frontcourt will take pressure off the freshman. Selby is battling for eligibility but he is still one of the top newcomers. If eligible, Selby will have the chance to navigate a No. 7 ranked team in the nation. That would be too much pressure for most freshman, but not Selby.

Ricardo Ratliffe (MU) - Ricardo Ratliffe made Mizzou's recruiting class significant. With Ratliffe, and Tony Mitchell, the Tigers would have had one of the best frontcourts in the Big 12. With Mitchell not eligible expect even more contributions from Ratliffe. His ability to score the ball puts pressure on the opposition. Not to mention, his versatility always present problems. Ratliffe was selected by the coaches as the top newcomer, and could overtake Jones if Mizzou can get him a lot of touches.

Tristian Thompson (UT) - Thompson is one of the best frontier freshmen this season. Thompson can face up, or score with his back to the basket. Thompson attacks the rim, and finishes strong. He is a big-time threat down low. The lefty is a mix-match waiting to happen. With the ball in his hands, Coach Barnes can expect Thompson to make the right play.

Cameron Clark (OU) - Cameron Clark is one of those freshman that has the ability to take over the game with a blink of an eye. With Clark the sky is the limit. He is one of the most talented players the Sooner will embrace since Blake Griffin. His athletic ability is off the charts, and will benefit Jeff Cappel when the season starts. He is listed as a forward, but I could see him play the two-guard as well for Coach Capel.

Freddy Asprilla (KSU) - Freddy Asprilla, the transfer from Florida International, made his way to Kansas State with Frank Martin. Asprilla has made key strides to get in tip-top shape. K-State Head Coach Frank Martin loves his scoring ability on offense. But, his biggest improvement needs to come from the defensive end. The 6-foot-10 center has lost up to 60-pounds and is mobile as ever. With Asprilla, K-State's frontcourt is arguably the best in the Big 12.

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