ESPN Men's Basketball

Editor's Note: ESPN Insider has teamed with Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook to provide a comprehensive look at all 334 Division I teams. To order the complete 2009-10 edition of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, visit www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com or call 1-877-807-4857.
(Information in this team report is as of Oct. 1.)

COACH AND PROGRAM

For some coaches divvying up minutes has follicle ramifications. It's either going to turn their hair gray or make it fall out.

If you look atop Rick Barnes' head, there's as much hair as there has been for years, and there just isn't that much gray. And if you think that means he has the formula for keeping a deep and talented roster happy, well, you'd be dead-on.

Not only has he been stockpiling talent in Austin for 11 years -- including such players as LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin -- but if you check his teams' records, you'll find the hoops 'Horns have hooked 'em best when they've been deeper than Durant's pockets.

Barnes' only Final Four team, in 2002-03, had nine players who averaged double-figure minutes and a 10th who averaged 9.9 minutes per game. His Sweet 16 team the next year had a whopping 11 players who averaged more than 10 minutes. Everyone on his 2005-06 Elite Eight team played at least 5.4 minutes.

Get the feeling he can manage the minutes? "It's a situation I'd rather be in," Barnes said. "It's pretty simple. When you have a lot of guys who deserve to play, then everyone is accountable. If you do it in practice, then you're going to play. I'm not one of those guys who believes in players who do it only when the lights come on. You have to show up every day."

Barnes, 55, has shown up every day and made the Texas program one of the nation's best and most consistent. The Longhorns have been to the NCAA tournament in all 11 of his seasons at the Forty Acres, and they've won at least 20 games for the last 10 seasons.

They've finished no worse than third in the Big 12 in nine of his 11 seasons. He also has churned out plenty of NBA talent, including five lottery picks. Three of them -- T.J. Ford, Durant and Augustin -- spent time on campus this summer along with some other former UT players playing pickup games with the current Longhorns. Even the incoming recruits got in on the action.

Durant was in Austin for the entire month of June. Word is he slept on an air mattress in classmate Justin Mason's apartment, and that when the gang went to eat, it usually wound up at IHOP. Durant may have deep pockets, but he's just another student when he's back at UT.

Except when he's on the court.

Then he's Professor Durant, giving Barnes' recruiting class and returning players an invaluable education. "Kevin Durant and Royal Ivey [a former Longhorn who has stuck in the NBA for five seasons after going in the second round to Atlanta in 2004, and another one who spent time on campus this summer], it's incredible what they've done for the program," Barnes said. "They're professionals in the way they handle themselves. They taught our guys, 'This is what we do for a living, and this is what you're going to have to do and how hard you're going to have to work to be there, too.' And our guys follow them around and get in line."

Ford and Augustin spent some time with the point guards. It's as though Barnes' coaching staff runs just as deep as his roster.

Barnes has been known to gather his recruiting class once practice begins and hand each newcomer a piece of paper and a pencil. He asks them to look up and down the roster and write down how many minutes they think each player should play. Invariably their totals are around 400-500 minutes.

The coach then informs them there are only 200 minutes in a game. "I think we're going to have our biggest competition for playing time since the year we went to the Final Four," Barnes said. "There will be some great battles within our team this year."

PLAYERS

PG-DOGUS BALBAY (6-0, 176 lbs., JR, #4, 3.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 21.1 mpg, .455 FG, .250 3PT, .450 FT, Brewster Academy/Wolfeboro, N.H./Istanbul, Turkey). It was unfair to expect the Turkish import to replace Augustin, and he struggled last season to find his role before starting the final 13 games.

After moving into the lineup he averaged 5.6 points and 4.8 assists and had an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than 2-1. "Dogus played it totally different than D.J.," Barnes said. "We were definitely different. But lottery picks are tough to replace. I knew we would be OK. We came within a shot of beating Duke and going to the Sweet 16. "I knew we would miss D.J., no doubt. He did so many other things. He was such a great leader and early in the year we didn't have that. I guess that's what I was most concerned about."

Balbay can handle the ball and is a top-notch distributor, and he proved to be one of the 'Horns' best defenders. But his inability to shoot from the perimeter and his free-throw shooting probably will cost him minutes.

"If Dogus wants to play more minutes, he has to be able to shoot the ball," Barnes said. "Teams were starting to foul him with like seven minutes to go."

SG-JUSTIN MASON (6-2, 195 lbs., SR, #24, 6.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 30.0 mpg, .436 FG, .206 3PT, .525 FT, Palo Duro HS/Amarillo, Texas). It will be weird next season not to have Mason in the lineup.

He has played in all 108 games since arriving on campus, and he has started 101 of them, including all 35 last season. He is the Longhorns' glue guy, a connector who brings energy, defense and an attacking style on both ends.

He is also averaging 30.6 minutes per game for his career, and while he'll remain just as important a part of the lineup he's unlikely to see that kind of time. The backcourt has a logjam of talent, and some of the newcomers will eat into Mason's minutes.

The Texas coaches believe Mason can be just as productive even with a few less minutes. He shot the ball poorly last season, sinking to career lows from three-point range and the free-throw line. "Justin Mason works too hard to go through last year again," Barnes said. "It was painful for us to watch him struggle. He'll be back to what we expect."

SG-AVERY BRADLEY (6-3, 180 lbs., FR, #0, 19.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.9 spg, .540 FG, .383 3PT, .761 FT, Findlay Prep/Las Vegas). The only player to arrive at Austin with more fanfare and expectations than Bradley was Kevin Durant.

ESPNU ranked Bradley the No. 1 prospect in the land. He won the slam-dunk contest at the McDonald's All-American game, then posted 15 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes for the West team in a 113-110 victory at the McDonald's All-American Game.

He was the only freshman invited to the DeRon Williams Point Guard Skills Academy in June, camping with such current college stars as Kansas' Sherron Collins, Michigan State's Kalin Lucas and Arizona's Nic Wise.

"He's more of a natural shooting guard, but obviously he can slide over and play the one as well. He's just a guy who loves to be in the gym," Barnes said. "He wants to play and learn. I think he plays bigger than he is, too. "He and our other young players are gonna push these guys [the returning players]. There will be some highly competitive days at the practice facility. Everyone is gonna be accountable. You have to do your job or someone else gets the job."

Bradley comes in with a reputation as a great defender, so he fits in well with Mason and Balbay. He is also a terrific scorer in the midrange who figures to benefit greatly from the way defenses will have to sag to help against the Longhorns' frontcourt.

PF-DAMION JAMES (6-7, 225 lbs., SR, #5, 15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 29.5 mpg, .468 FG, .326 3PT, .684 FT, Nacogdoches HS/Nacogdoches, Texas). Unlike Pittman, James entered his name in the NBA draft and went through the process before pulling his name out of consideration shortly before the deadline.

He was seeking a guarantee that some team would pick him in the first round, and when one never came, he figured his other option wasn't so bad.

Like Mason, James has been a stalwart since arriving on campus in the class with Mason, Pittman, Durant and Augustin, among others. He has started 106-of-108 games and averaged nearly a double-double for his career (12.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg). Barring an early-season injury, he will become UT's all-time leading rebounder.

Early entry to the NBA has hit Barnes' program hard over the years, but he appreciated the way James handled it. The player kept the coach informed every step of the way, and ultimately both thought the correct decision was reached.

"I don't have a problem with the process if you go through it the right way and listen to the right people," Barnes said. "I encourage them to grab the opportunity. I'm not gonna deprive a kid. If the window is open, he's gotta jump in it. I just want them to listen to the right people and make an intelligent decision. "Most of the guys who left in the past … you're talking about lottery picks. The guys who shouldn't have left aren't in the league anymore. … Damion James will leave Texas as the all-time leading rebounder. Coming back to school I don't think has ever hurt anyone. You'd have a hard time putting together a list of guys who came back to school and it hurt them."

C-DEXTER PITTMAN (6-10, 290 lbs., SR, #34, 10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.4 apg, 16.6 mpg, .616 FG, .000 3PT, .691 FT, Terry HS/Rosenberg, Texas). When Pittman arrived on campus, he was a Texas-sized center at 366 pounds. He has fought his weight for so long he's the Longhorn most likely to appear on Oprah.

There have been breakthroughs, last year providing the biggest glimpse of what could be from a well-conditioned Pittman. If his 10.1 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game don't look all that impressive at first glance, consider they were accomplished in only 16.6 minutes per game. Project that over 40 minutes and you have 24.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin, the national player of the year last season, projected to 27.3 points and 17.3 rebounds over 40 minutes. "Dexter is a guy who, if he can continue to work on his conditioning, will be someone people will have to deal with," Barnes said. "He became a force when he had his wind. He has dropped his weight even more. He's a tough guy to match up with."

Over Texas' final eight games, Pittman averaged 25.4 minutes and responded with 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds. In a Big 12 tournament game against Kansas State, he torched the Wildcats for 19 points, 20 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Even NBA scouts took notice of Pittman and his intriguing upside. But he quickly put an end to any speculation that he might leave Austin early. "It's a great opportunity to have the chance to come out this year, but I decided not to because I know my potential," Pittman said at the news conference announcing his return. "And I'm not even close to achieving my potential now."

True, but the closer he gets, the more dangerous the 'Horns become.

G-JORDAN HAMILTON (6-7, 226 lbs., FR, #23, 27.6 ppg, 11.1 rpg, Dominguez HS/Los Angeles). Another member of a recruiting class that Rivals.com ranked No. 3 in the nation, Hamilton is a terrific shooter from range with NBA-ready size.

If there has been a knock on UT in recent years, it has been its size, or lack thereof, at the wing spots, and Hamilton helps solve that problem. He was on campus for the second summer session, so he was able to get in some time with the contingent of former 'Horns. "He's extremely talented and already has shown a great work ethic," Barnes said. "He's just a natural perimeter player."

With Abrams gone, Hamilton figures to be one of UT's primary three-point threats. He'll be one of the players putting heat on Mason for minutes, and it certainly is possible they could play together. Hamilton is versatile enough to play the two and the three, and if Barnes elects to go small, perhaps even the four.

F-GARY JOHNSON (6-6, 238 lbs., JR, #1, 10.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.6 apg, 23.1 mpg, .448 FG, .000 3PT, .669 FT, Aldine HS/Houston, Texas). Johnson is a wide-bodied banger who thrives on physical contact.

Unfortunately for him and the 'Horns, various medical concerns and nagging injuries have limited him to just 54 of a possible 73 games during his two years in Austin.

A heart condition forced him to miss 13 games his freshman season, and he wasn't cleared to play until January. Last year a left ankle injury sidelined him for three Big 12 games late in the year, and he wasn't the same when he returned. But Barnes has no questions about Johnson's heart as it relates to desire. "We weren't back on campus a day or two [after losing to Duke in the second round of the NCAA tournament] and Gary had led the charge of the guys getting back into the gym and wanting to get after it," Barnes said.

If he's healthy, and there is every reason to believe he will be, Johnson is a brutish force. He had 20 points last season against Michigan State and posted 15 points and 12 rebounds at Arkansas. Both games were in the midst of a seven-game stretch in which he averaged 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. "He'll continue to improve," Barnes said. "He just works so hard at it."

G-JAI LUCAS (5-10, 150 lbs., JR, #10, 8.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 30.1 mpg, .460 FG, .435 3PT, .714 FT in 2007-08, Bellaire HS/Houston, Texas/University of Florida). Despite starting all 36 games his sophomore season at Florida and leading the Gators in three-point percentage, Lucas saw no chance to play point guard behind Nick Calathes and decided to transfer closer to his Houston home.

He gives Barnes something completely different at the point than Balbay -- a steadier player and a much better shooter, one who absolutely cannot be left alone by opposing defenses.

Balbay is hands down the better defender, but if Texas is trying to hold a lead late, you can bet Lucas will be on the floor. He ran the scout team in practice last season so well that it won its share of "special situations" drills because he gets the ball to the right spots.

Lucas will become eligible in mid-December after the fall semester.

Lucas, the son of former NBA star John Lucas, was a Parade All-American his senior year at Bellaire High School, and he lived up to his advance billing as a freshman at Florida.

Lucas started all 36 games and was chosen to the SEC All-Freshman team. But Lucas was used as more of a two guard, and when it appeared Calathes wasn't going anywhere for a while, he decided to head back to his home state. As it turned out, Calathes bolted Florida after only two years to play professionally in Greece. "Jai dreamed of coming to the University of Texas from an early age, and it will be fun to see him live out that dream," Barnes said when Lucas announced his decision to play for the Longhorns. "He is a pure point guard who has an excellent court awareness and high basketball IQ. Most importantly, Jai has great character and will be an excellent fit in our program."

G-VAREZ WARD (6-2, 192 lbs., SO, #50, 4.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 15.1 mpg, .394 FG, .095 3PT, .685 FT, Jefferson Davis HS/Montgomery, Ala./The Patterson School/Lenoir, N.C.). How much of a factor is Ward prepared to be in his second year?

No question the Longhorns are deep in the backcourt, and everyone will have to scrap in practice to get minutes. But you can ask Duke if Ward can play an important role.

Ward stunned the Blue Devils with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting in just 21 minutes in Texas' narrow second-round loss to Duke in the NCAA tournament. Barnes spread the floor and let the Alabama native go to work, and Mike Krzyzewski's team didn't have an answer. "That was a great way to finish," Barnes said. "He was very good down the stretch, and it gave him something to build on."

Ward didn't make it to campus before the fall semester last season, but now he has put in a summer of work on campus and could be a surprise hit this season, just like he was down the stretch last year in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.

After playing a total of 27 minutes in Texas' final five regular-season games and not playing at all in the Big 12 tournament opener against Colorado, Ward averaged 9.8 points and shot 67 percent from the floor in UT's final four postseason games.

F-ALEXIS WANGMENE (6-7, 241 lbs., SO, #20, 3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 6.3 mpg, .500 FG, .000 3PT, 1.000 FT, Maroua, Cameroon/Blair Academy/Blairstown, N.J.). Wangmene redshirted last season after surgery on his right knee sidelined him for the year after just four games. Still, he's another long, physical, athletic player who can really be disruptive on the defensive end.

Wangmene even managed to squeeze in a solid game before the surgery, going for eight points and seven rebounds in just nine minutes against a good Saint Joseph's team. He has been cleared medically, and after spending the first summer session on campus, he made good use of the rest of his off-season playing with the Cameroon National Team.

F/C-CLINT CHAPMAN (6-10, 239 lbs., JR, #53, 2.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.2 apg, 8.0 mpg, .363 FG, .000 3PT, .231 FT, Canby HS/Canby, Ore.). Chapman appeared in 32 games last season. He played a season-high 22 minutes against Texas Tech on Feb. 25 and responded with seven points, three rebounds, two steals and a block. With Atchley gone, there will be more minutes to be had behind Pittman. Chapman is one of Barnes' few options with legitimate center size.

G-J'COVAN BROWN (6-2, 185 lbs., FR, #14, McAllen Memorial HS/Port Arthur, Texas). The Longhorns got word on Aug. 24 that Brown had been OK'd by the NCAA Clearinghouse after failing to qualify in 2008-09. The combo guard was a consensus top 75 player in the 2008 class, and no less than Barnes believes he'll be in the mix in the backcourt. Brown is a big-time scorer, and he's adept at getting the ball up the floor in transition and either finishing himself or finding an opening teammate.

F/C-MATT HILL (6-10, 240 lbs., JR, #21, 1.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.0 apg, 5.9 mpg, .400 FG, .000 3PT, .625 FT, Southeast HS/Lincoln, Neb.). Hill appeared in 21 games last year after missing the 2007-08 season with a foot injury. He's a smart player who understands his role as a facilitator. He maintains good spacing, and he has shown flashes of being a solid rebounder and outlet passer.

G/F-SHAWN WILLIAMS (6-7, 215 lbs., FR, #2, 20.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, Duncanville HS/Duncanville, Texas). Williams was a consensus top 75 player nationally. He played in a top-notch high-school program and was a rare four-year starter there. He's a terrific outside shooter who could stand to gain some strength. Williams was on campus for both summer sessions to get an early start, and it could pay off with some early playing time.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: B+
BENCH/DEPTH: A-
FRONTCOURT: A-
INTANGIBLES: A-

You can tell Rick Barnes believes this team could be something special. He likes the work ethic and the desire. The loss to Duke in the NCAA tournament stung, but it also served as motivation.

The Longhorns were tied with the Blue Devils in the final minute for a chance to reach the Sweet 16. This year the expectations are well beyond that.

The nonconference schedule will reveal just how reasonable those expectations are, with games against North Carolina, Michigan State, Arkansas and Connecticut.

The roster is deep and loaded with talent. Bradley and Hamilton are both capable of stepping in and having monster seasons. A better-proportioned Pittman could terrorize the Big 12. James is a proven commodity, and no one would be surprised if Johnson takes a big step. "I believe players determine who plays and how you play," Barnes said. "They know how we want to play. … We need 'em all when it's all said and done."

For the most comprehensive previews available on all 334 Division I teams, order the "Bible" of college basketball, the 2009-10 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, at www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com or call 1-877-807-4857.