For the last two years, Texas players and coaches went out of their way to explain just how important T.J. Ford was to their success. He directed the running game, he piloted the halfcourt offense, he often initiated the pressure defense and by the end of a sophomore campaign that culminated in a trip to the Final Four, he was UT's leading scorer. Now, the Longhorns charge full speed ahead trying to prove that they were not a one-man team.

We'll see.

"We're not going to cancel the season, now that T.J. is gone," coach Rick Barnes says.

Besides Ford, UT loses nothing of importance from last season's Final Four entry. In fact, with the return of players who accounted for over 75 percent of its scoring, 84 percent of its rebounding and 73 percent of its minutes played, Texas should have no trouble maintaining its recently developed powerhouse standing.

"We have a number of guys back who were key to our success and played important roles for us the past three years," Barnes says. "I've said before, the backbone of our team is the group of guys who will be going into their fourth year here. They're all back, and they're experienced and hungry."

FRONTCOURT

Big 12 foes may be tired of bumping and grinding with head-knocker James Thomas, but they will have to endure it one more season. Worse yet, besides Thomas, Texas has one of the deepest collections of inside players in the country.

Thomas, a rebounder supreme at center, may be called upon to score more, as the Longhorns most likely will be forced into more halfcourt sets. His strength overcomes a lack of height, and he has a solid jump hook and decent shooting range up to 15 feet, but he prefers to focus on the glass.

Whether he cranks it up a notch offensively or not, UT shouldn't lack for scoring from the frontline. Sophomore Brad Buckman, who took over as the starter at power forward as a freshman, could have a breakout year with his ability to score inside and out. He may be the Longhorns' best overall post player.

Senior Brian Boddicker is somewhat inconsistent, but when hot, he is a threat from 3-point range. UT would like to see him provide double-digit points off the bench. Jason Klotz is a key reserve who blocks a shot every now and then and has a strong rebounds-per-minute ratio.

BACKCOURT

First things first: Ford can't be replaced, and the Longhorns won't even try. Now let's cut to what they will do.

Royal Ivey, who gladly relinquished the point guard throne to Ford, returns to his unnatural position. Yes, that is unnatural for the 6-foot-3 defensive-minded senior. Ivey was forced to run the point as a freshman, and he proved without question that he is a much better off-guard. That doesn't mean he isn't serviceable, but the Longhorns' offense is slow and plodding with Ivey at the helm.

If you listen to Texas coaches, sophomore Kenton Paulino was a terror in practice, but he looked terrified in games. Maybe this season he will wear his practice jersey under his game uniform and take over at the point. He is quick and can get the ball up and down the court, but he needs to play with some confidence.

With fewer easy baskets, UT will need Brandon Mouton to step up and be the player he can be on a more consistent basis. The 6-4 senior is a deadly mid-range shooter and can be a go-to guy, but he will disappear on occasion. That may be more out of unselfishness than fear, but the Longhorns need him be an offensive threat against big-time foes.

Swingman Sydmill Harris has been in Texas long enough to become acclimated to Texas twang and big-time college basketball. The Netherlands native is a superb outside shooter but has been slow in developing defensive tenacity and overall court awareness.

Baylor transfer Kenny Taylor can provide instant offense and will likely see playing time as a shooter off the bench.

FINAL ANALYSIS

UT has so many players returning (four starters, eight lettermen) that the expectations should not be any lower despite the loss of the Naismith and Wooden Award-winning Ford. Barnes' squad will always be good defensively, and there is enough quality depth that no one player will be pressured to be the man every night.

Thomas, Mouton, Ivey and Boddicker have been there before and seen it all. They should be able to handle the pressure of the postseason, so another deep run in the NCAA Tournament is a realistic goal and expectation.

"The challenge to me and my teammates is to prove that last year wasn't a fluke," Mouton says. "That's what this season will be about."

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