Truth & Rumors > NCAAB

How Texas overcame Durant loss

Views
1532
Comments
0

No Kevin Durant, no problem. Rather than lament Durant's departure, Texas coach Rick Barnes told his team exactly how it was going to get better. After last season, he told guards D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams they'd have to develop a mid-range game. After being shut down on the perimeter by USC's lengthy guards in last year's NCAA Tournament, Augustin and Abrams spent all summer adding floaters and mid-range jumpers. Barnes kept telling 6-10 redshirt junior forward Connor Atchley to think of himself as a better player because he had invested enough time and effort into his game. He told guard Justin Mason to lose weight. Barnes continued to play one of the toughest schedules in the country -- going to New Jersey to face New Mexico State and Tennessee, going to Detroit to face Michigan State, playing Wisconsin in Austin and also facing NCAA Tournament teams Oral Roberts and St. Mary's.

Dallas Morning News

Rick Barnes, AP Rick Barnes, AP

Comments (5) Add A Comment

March 27, 2008  08:45 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Not that I am thinking about my pool, but I hope Tennessee can beat them in the finals. Hummm, thats what I have in my pool

March 27, 2008  11:57 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Ummm... let's not forget that they beat KANSAS, and UCLA (IN LOS ANGELES).

March 27, 2008  03:08 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Texas coaches are notoriously whiny and annoying, but this basketball team is playing pretty well after depending so much upon Durant last year. Augustin is a little over-hyped by ESPN and other sports analysts -- he's good, but he's not the best guard in college ball right now.

March 27, 2008  10:28 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Surprising to seeee them come this far,its seems like a distant memory since durant played there

 
April 1, 2008  12:23 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Yeah, they beat Kansas, but Kansas beat them in the Big 12 Champ. Game and KU is in the Final Four. Rick Barnes is at the Barton Creek Golf Course right now working on his swing!!! Sure would've been nice to have Durant and all 165 lbs of him...haha

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    No Favre Vikings jersey -- yet
    Views
    1457
    Comments
    1596
  2. 2
    Indians open to trading Lee, Martinez
    Views
    22468
    Comments
    284
  3. 3
    Yankees chasing Cuban prospect?
    Views
    18780
    Comments
    155
  4. 4
    Celtics putting full-court press on Rasheed
    Views
    8173
    Comments
    53
  5. 5
    Marbury's Celtics run over?
    Views
    6985
    Comments
    46

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Porkins: NOT BILLY MAYES!!
  2. 2
    RobertMenn: Alves Rd3 TKO
  3. 3
    Perfectpats
  4. 4
    Sassafras
  5. 5
    Oso New Jack City

Message Boards

  1. NFL > Chicago Bears

    Bears ranked 14th on NFL…
    Views
    413
    Replies
    50

  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    TD cheats!!
    Views
    211
    Replies
    23

  3. MMA > General MMA

    If you only had $44.95 in your…
    Views
    186
    Replies
    19

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

Maria KirilenkoMaria Kirilenko
Cheney LarschiedCheney Larschied

SI Photos

Did You See That?Did You See That?
Back in Time: July 3Back in Time: July 3