Around Campus

Sitting Down With Coach Rick Barnes

Texas enters year seven of the Rick Barnes era riding a streak of success that has propelled the program into one of the nation's elite. Consider these numbers. The Longhorns have advanced to the "Sweet 16" in each of the last three seasons (including a Final Four run in 2002-03). Texas is one of only five schools (UConn, Duke, Kansas and Pittsburgh) to accomplish this feat.

UT enters the 2004-05 campaign riding streaks of five consecutive 20-win seasons and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances, both school records. The Longhorns also carry a school-record streak of 38 consecutive weeks ranked in the AP poll. During the Barnes era, Texas has spent 66 weeks ranked in the poll's Top 25, including 24 in the Top 10.

Q: After three straight "Sweet 16" appearances, including a trip to the Final Four, where do you now see the Texas program?

A: I think we're getting close to where we talked about being when we arrived in Austin (Spring of 1998). That is, every year when basketball season rolls around, there is an excitement about our program not only around The University of Texas but also around the nation.

Q: You had to say good-bye to a quartet of seniors who left as the winningest four-year class in school history. How do you replace this group?

A: I don't know if you can talk about replacing them. I think you have to see over time if a group of players can do what those guys did over a four-year period, in terms of not only winning but also elevating the program to a new level. I don't think we'll talk about replacing those guys as much as we'll talk about making this year's team as good as it can possibly be. That's the approach we took while those other guys were here. We never said, 'OK, last year we went to the Final Four, now this year we need to win the national championship.' I think our goals are pretty well established, and every year is a new challenge. What we have to do is find a way to make this team be the best team it can be.

Q: Lost in all the talk about the incoming recruiting class is the fact that you return seven players who all saw significant action on last year's team. What did you see out of this group during spring individual workouts?

A: There's no question that our returning guys understand, and they will be the ones that set the standard. I don't like using the phrase "waiting their turn," but in some ways, I think some of these guys, especially a Sydmill Harris, can truly see right now that "I've got a chance." I think that showed up in the way he approached his workouts in the spring. I think there will be a sense of urgency from Kenny Taylor. I think we'll get leadership from the junior class (Brad Buckman and Kenton Paulino). I know P.J. Tucker stepped forward in the spring and has proven that he is ready to take on that kind of responsibility. There's no doubt that early in the year, what those seven guys do will pretty much determine how we get this thing going.

Q: Fifth-year senior Jason Klotz could turn into another feel-good story much like Royal Ivey. What are your expectations for Jason this season?

A: I expect Jason to do what he has always done, and that is to try to max out. What I've always liked about Jason is that he's never made excuses. He's never done anything but try to get the most out of what he's got. He has gotten himself into the best shape he's ever been in. I think he, of all the guys coming back, know that this is something that he has waited for. He red-shirted for this fifth year, and I think he'll be very excited to get going.

Q: By his own admission, Brad Buckman struggled with consistency last year. Can he get back to where he was at the end of his freshman season when he played so well during the run to the Final Four?

A: There's no question that he was the best basketball player in our program this spring. He attacked it in a way that he's never attacked it before. Then he had a setback with the surgery on his knee. When we get going in the fall, I'll be surprised if he doesn't pick up right where he left off in the spring.

Q: After an impressive freshman year spent at power forward, you and the staff moved P.J. Tucker to the wing. What prompted this decision and how has P.J. responded to the move?

A: We looked at the players we have available on the front line in Brad Buckman, Jason Klotz, LaMarcus Aldridge and Mike Williams. We felt that in order to get the most out of those guys as well as help P.J. continue to develop to be the player that he can be, that was the logical thing to do. What I like about P.J. is that he knows he needs to expand his game. Defensively he's not going to be hurt, and he's a fine ball-handler. The biggest difference will be getting him to settle into where he feels comfortable playing out there.

Q: How do you see the battle for playing time at shooting guard shaking out?

A: I think it's probably the most competitive spot on the floor. Right now you have Sydmill Harris, Kenton Paulino and Kenny Taylor and you can probably throw Daniel Gibson and Dion Dowell into the mix. That is as competitive as any position that we have.

Q: In regards to the incoming freshman class, what most excites you about working with this group and what are your major concerns?

A: What excites me is their willingness to want to improve. As much as we try to talk to them about understanding how hard it is going to be to compete at the highest level, I do think there is a confidence about them. They aren't going to take anything for granted, and they know they are going to have to work. They also have great respect for the seven returning guys who have put time in here. Those seven guys have made it easier for them in some ways, because they have raised the expectation level of those guys coming in. Early in the year, we will play a schedule that is going to test them. I think the biggest thing they will have to get through early will be the grind of what we prepare to go through in the latter part of the year.

Q: With the recent trend of players leaving early for the NBA or even bypassing college altogether, many pundits and critics have said that college basketball is in a declining state. What are your thoughts on the current status of college basketball?

A: I don't think college basketball is in a declining state. I've always believed that players have to do what they think is right for them. If a player makes a decision to move on, I just think it opens up an opportunity for someone else to take advantage of that opportunity. The college game will continue to be good as long as we do the things ourselves, from an administrative side of it, to make it better. There will always be players out there, and March Madness will be as exciting as it has always been.