Horry For 3!
03-27-2006, 10:06 PM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3749805.html
March 27, 2006, 12:52AM
Go pro or no? UT trio must decide
Return of Tucker, Aldridge, Gibson would preserve Longhorns' status as Top 10 team
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
ATLANTA - The focus for the Texas Longhorns this offseason will be on who's coming — and who might be leaving.
The Longhorns will have to replace at least two starters from this year's team that set a school record for victories and came within one victory of a trip to the Final Four. That number could grow as three others — center LaMarcus Aldridge, guard Daniel Gibson and forward P.J. Tucker — consider leaving early for the NBA draft.
"I think we're going to be really good again next year," Texas assistant coach Rodney Terry said. "We're excited where the program is and where it's heading. We feel we're really close to winning a national championship here."
How good the Longhorns are during the 2006-07 season will depend on the magnitude of personnel losses. After Saturday's 70-60 overtime loss to LSU in the Atlanta Regional final, Aldridge, Gibson and Tucker, the Big 12's player of the year, said their immediate plans are to be back next season. Aldridge and Gibson will be juniors next season, and Tucker will be a senior.
That could all change between now and the filing deadline to enter the draft. The players could opt to enter the draft and not hire an agent, which would allow them to retain their eligibility.
'Future looks great'
"The future looks great for us," Aldridge said. "We have great guys here and great guys coming in. We have to get the young guys ready and try and do the same thing next year."
Aldridge is the most likely to leave early. He is a projected lottery pick and could be drafted No. 1.
"As far as I know, I'm coming back," said Aldridge, who refused to put a timetable on making a decision.
If they return virtually intact, the Longhorns can again expect to be a preseason Top 10 team and a favorite to win the Big 12. The loss of senior starting forward Brad Buckman and senior point guard Kenton Paulino will be cushioned with the arrival of one of the nation's top recruiting classes. The class is headlined by Kevin Durant, a 6-9 wing player from Maryland who is the second-rated player in the country.
The Longhorns also signed one of the nation's top point guards — D.J. Augustin, a Hurricane Katrina evacuee who played this season at Hightower. UT also signed 6-10 players Dexter Pittman (Rosenberg Terry) and Matt Hill (Lincoln, Neb.) and combination guards Justin Mason (Amarillo) and Harrison Smith (Jones).
Augustin is the likely candidate to replace Paulino at point guard, and Durant is projected to play small forward, allowing the Longhorns to move Tucker to power forward if he returns. If Aldridge leaves, the Longhorns probably will take a look at junior Mike Williams, who came on strong in the NCAA Tournament, and Hill.
"The standards we've set allow (Durant) and big-time recruits to want to be a part of the tradition," Gibson said. "We're definitely a program on the rise."
Texas has advanced to the NCAA Tournament eight straight seasons, reaching the Final Four in 2003, the Sweet 16 in 2004 and the Elite Eight this year.
"Texas basketball is on the map," Buckman said.
'Pretty special year'
The Longhorns began the campaign ranked No. 2 and remained in the Top 10 all season. They set a school record with 30 victories and won a share of the Big 12 regular-season title.
"The expectations that were put on the program — maybe the most ever — and the way we were able to fight through it and get within one game of possibly getting back to the Final Four," Texas coach Rick Barnes said, "will be something in a couple of weeks we'll look back on and realize it was a pretty special year."
March 27, 2006, 12:52AM
Go pro or no? UT trio must decide
Return of Tucker, Aldridge, Gibson would preserve Longhorns' status as Top 10 team
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
ATLANTA - The focus for the Texas Longhorns this offseason will be on who's coming — and who might be leaving.
The Longhorns will have to replace at least two starters from this year's team that set a school record for victories and came within one victory of a trip to the Final Four. That number could grow as three others — center LaMarcus Aldridge, guard Daniel Gibson and forward P.J. Tucker — consider leaving early for the NBA draft.
"I think we're going to be really good again next year," Texas assistant coach Rodney Terry said. "We're excited where the program is and where it's heading. We feel we're really close to winning a national championship here."
How good the Longhorns are during the 2006-07 season will depend on the magnitude of personnel losses. After Saturday's 70-60 overtime loss to LSU in the Atlanta Regional final, Aldridge, Gibson and Tucker, the Big 12's player of the year, said their immediate plans are to be back next season. Aldridge and Gibson will be juniors next season, and Tucker will be a senior.
That could all change between now and the filing deadline to enter the draft. The players could opt to enter the draft and not hire an agent, which would allow them to retain their eligibility.
'Future looks great'
"The future looks great for us," Aldridge said. "We have great guys here and great guys coming in. We have to get the young guys ready and try and do the same thing next year."
Aldridge is the most likely to leave early. He is a projected lottery pick and could be drafted No. 1.
"As far as I know, I'm coming back," said Aldridge, who refused to put a timetable on making a decision.
If they return virtually intact, the Longhorns can again expect to be a preseason Top 10 team and a favorite to win the Big 12. The loss of senior starting forward Brad Buckman and senior point guard Kenton Paulino will be cushioned with the arrival of one of the nation's top recruiting classes. The class is headlined by Kevin Durant, a 6-9 wing player from Maryland who is the second-rated player in the country.
The Longhorns also signed one of the nation's top point guards — D.J. Augustin, a Hurricane Katrina evacuee who played this season at Hightower. UT also signed 6-10 players Dexter Pittman (Rosenberg Terry) and Matt Hill (Lincoln, Neb.) and combination guards Justin Mason (Amarillo) and Harrison Smith (Jones).
Augustin is the likely candidate to replace Paulino at point guard, and Durant is projected to play small forward, allowing the Longhorns to move Tucker to power forward if he returns. If Aldridge leaves, the Longhorns probably will take a look at junior Mike Williams, who came on strong in the NCAA Tournament, and Hill.
"The standards we've set allow (Durant) and big-time recruits to want to be a part of the tradition," Gibson said. "We're definitely a program on the rise."
Texas has advanced to the NCAA Tournament eight straight seasons, reaching the Final Four in 2003, the Sweet 16 in 2004 and the Elite Eight this year.
"Texas basketball is on the map," Buckman said.
'Pretty special year'
The Longhorns began the campaign ranked No. 2 and remained in the Top 10 all season. They set a school record with 30 victories and won a share of the Big 12 regular-season title.
"The expectations that were put on the program — maybe the most ever — and the way we were able to fight through it and get within one game of possibly getting back to the Final Four," Texas coach Rick Barnes said, "will be something in a couple of weeks we'll look back on and realize it was a pretty special year."