Texas Longhorns Power Index: 35.4*

This could very well be the most successful basketball team in Texas Longhorn history. Rick Barnes will get his team to defend and rebound tenaciously enough to be in the hunt with any of the nation's elite teams, but this team has something his past teams didn't: The 2003 Longhorns can score the ball from multiple positions. T.J. Ford is the best point guard in the nation off the dribble, can find open teammates, and deliver the ball in a shooting alley. Ford spent his freshman season unguarded, but still led the nation in assists. Ford has worked on his shot to force defenses to come out and guard him. With Brandon Mouton (an improved scorer who can catch and shoot, get out on the break, slash to the basket and pull up and hit), and Royal Ivey (a creative and athletic guard), Barnes has experienced weapons to go with Ford, and with his bruising frontline. The Longhorns are big and talented up front, led by James Thomas, Jason Klotz, Brian Boddicker and Brad Buckman. Thomas is the hardest working big man in the nation; he blocks shots, rebounds on both ends, and is becoming an outstanding low-post threat. Boddicker can shoot it, and Buckman is tough with good skills. If Texas develops a mindset to really score the ball, Barnes could very well hook a national title.

-- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 8.3
Is a Rick Barnes-coached team tough? That's not even a question. Barnes coaches toughness from the beginning of practice, and carries it over to the weight room throughout the offseason. The Longhorns want to beat you up in the post and all over the court. It was Barnes' philosophy at Clemson and Providence. He wants you to earn your shots, every one of them. The Longhorns never have overly skilled players, but they can finish and get to the free-throw line. Texas players know how to draw fouls, with a lot of that coming not just from physical toughness but from the mental toughness to know where to put yourself to get the call.

Talent: 7.4
Texas' talent isn't going to blow people over, at least on skill levels. Ford is one of the three best penetrating point guards in the country. He can change the tempo of the game. James Thomas is a rugged, developing big men who can finish and gives Ford an easy target. The rest of the crew seems interchangeable with wings Mouton, Ivey, Deginald Erskin, Sydmill Harris and Chris Ogden all capable of breakout games but none of them overwhelmingly reliable. The same goes for the frontcourt reserves of Boddicker, Klotz and Buckman. They're not all-Americans but they have five fouls each and can clog up the middle. They can be physical and give the Longhorns the defensive presence they need for their system to work effectively.

Tourney Tested: 7.5
Texas wasn't handed any favors in the tournament last season, reaching the Sweet 16 before losing to Oregon on a late shot by Freddie Jones. Neither of Longhorns' victories -- over Boston College and Mississippi State -- were givens on their way to Dallas. Ford understands the need to be patient in the NCAAs. The rest of the crew got its taste last season. Going deeper in March shouldn't be an issue for this squad and getting to the Elite Eight or the Final Four is a reachable goal. This team shouldn't wilt in any tight-game situations.

Schedule: 8.0
Texas didn't shy away from anyone this season. The Longhorns drew Georgia in New York and will potentially play either Notre Dame or Maryland in D.C. The Longhorns go to Arizona, must deal with Princeton at home and then, of course, face the rugged Big 12 schedule. The Longhorns will have to deal plenty of different defensive looks, while also having their stamina tested before January. The one game against Kansas is in Lawrence, but the Longhorns do get Missouri at home in their one meeting.

Xs & Os: 4.2
Barnes will need to adjust on the fly if defenses focus exclusively on Ford. But Barnes has been more of a defensive-oriented coach. His offenses haven't been as thrilling, but he didn't have a player like Ford. Barnes was able to open up more with Ford at the point and his ability to maximize his talents was evident last season. Look for the same in 2002-03, with Barnes willing to allow Ford to freelance even more as long as his post players can finish. Barnes is an experienced coach who won't get rattled in intense situations. He has a calming presence that carries over to his team under duress.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.