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2008 Texas Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 13, 2008 by Jack Jones

The Texas Longhorns basketball program has had some great players leave the team over the last three seasons. From LaMarcus Aldridge to Kevin Durant, and now DJ Augustin, all three players were selected in the top 10 of the NBA draft. Even with that kind of talent leaving, the Longhorns have consistently reloaded year after year to remain a team to beat on the national level. This year it should be no different since Augustin is the only starter gone and nine out of the top 10 leading scorers return. So does 90% of the team’s rebounding and 80% of the total minutes. With that kind of experience head coach Rick Barnes is expecting big things from him team and the NCAA basketball odds makers seem to agree. BetUS has Texas listed at 2 to 1 to win the Big 12 basketball crown.

The Texas frontcourt is in good hands with Damion Jones. He very well might be the next in line of Longhorn top 10 draft picks if he continues to build off his sophomore season in which he averaged 13.2 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 41.3% from behind the arc. at center there is Connor Atchley, the 6′10″ senior who led the Big 12 with 2.11 blocks per game and also shot 41.3% from 3-point range. He needs to be a better rebounder this year if the Longhorns want to make a splash nationally. There are plenty of others waiting in the wings to eat up minutes and all of them have excellent height, between 6′7″ and 6′10″. There is junior Dexter Pittman, and then sophomores Gary Johnson, Clint Chapman, Alexis Wangmene, and Matt Hill.

AJ Abrams has been one of the best shooting guards in Texas history, but came back for his senior season to prove to NBA scouts that he is able to run the point. He put up 16.5 points per game a year ago while setting the school record for 3-pointers made. Justin Mason might also play the point since he looked pretty good running the show behind Augustine a year ago. Dogus Balbay has potential. The Turkey native was hurt for most of his freshman season and then played on a club team in which some of his teammates accepted pay. Even though Balbay didn’t play for cash that is still a violation of NCAA rules so he might be suspended for a certain period of time yet to be determined.

Final Analysis – 1st in our Big 12 Basketball Predictions

This team is good, and by good we mean real good. They have a real shot at making the Final Four and competing for a national championship. There are other teams that should be decent in the Big 12, but if the Longhorns don’t win the conference title then we think something went wrong. The odds on them winning the national title aren’t bad either at 15 to 1.

Get help with your basketball betting every day this season with college basketball picks from our handicappers.