2000-01 record: 25-6; 13-3 in Big 12 (1st) Final Ranking: No. 15 ESPN/USA Today Postseason: Lost to Hampton 58-57 in first round of NCAA Tournament. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Owens 14.4 ppg | Rebounds: Owens 7.9 rpg | Assists: Williams 2.1 apg | FG %: Williams 51.6% | 3pt %: Mouton 37.3% | FT %: Boddicker 69.4% 00-01 Stats: Texas | Big 12

		Thursday, Nov. 1 The Longhorns are strong, physical and terrific on defense. The key for them is on offense. Can the freshman sensation, point guard T.J. Ford, create easy baskets for his teammates? And can they make the perimeter shot? If they can, then Chris Owens, a Big 12 first-team pick, will be effective, as will James Thomas inside.

Texas No. 22 in ESPN.com Top 25

Outlook
The Longhorns parlayed brute force underneath and tenacious defense into a 25-9 mark last season.

However, a first-round loss to Temple reaffirmed the team's most glaring weakness. That is, the lack of a consistent scoring threat from the perimeter. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, it appears Barnes was not able to address the problem in the off-season and it didn't help matters when Maurice Evans (15.6 ppg, 44 percent FGs) didn't return for his senior season.

Freshman T.J. Ford, the highest-profile recruit in the history of the program, has essentially been given the starting point guard spot. He has an abnormally narrow spinal column, which could lead to a serious injury, but he has put off surgery. Sophomore guards Brandon Mouton (5.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Royal Ivey (2.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg) will be asked to score more this season. But Mouton is a 39.4-percent shooter and Ivey is only a 36.5-percent shooter. Now you understand why the Longhorns struggle from the perimeter.

Their inside game should again be imposing, though. Senior forward Chris Owens (14.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg) blossomed last season and blocked 92 shots, a school record. Sophomores James Thomas (7.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Brian Boddicker (5.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg) showed tremendous promise as freshmen.

What we like: Ford, if he can remain healthy, should give Barnes the point guard he hasn't had at Texas. This team may go as he goes. Owens, Thomas and Boddicker give the Longhorns an athletic and imposing front line. And few people realize that Barnes has a 38-10 conference mark in his three seasons. That is the best mark in the Big 12 during that span.

What we don't like: Texas isn't the only team in the Big 12 with a strong inside game. That means Owens and Co. won't be able to muscle their way past the best teams in the league just by showing up. The Longhorns are going to have to get scoring from the wings and they may not be able to do so consistently.

The bottom line: If Ford is the real deal at point guard, the Longhorns will be able to get up and down the court quickly or grind it out in a half-court game. The Longhorns should again finish near the top of the conference. But the lack of a perimeter game will keep this team from finishing in the top three.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Chris Owens	Sr.	F	6-8/245	PTS: 14.4 | REB: 7.9 | AST: 0.9
James Thomas	So.	C	6-8/220	PTS: 7.0 | REB: 6.5 | AST: 0.4
Brian Boddicker	So.	F	6-9/225	PTS: 5.7 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 0.8
Brandon Mouton	So.	G/F	6-5/210	PTS: 5.4 | REB: 2.3 | AST: 1.3

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Maurice Evans	G	6-5/220	PTS: 15.6 | REB: 5.3 | AST: 1.6
Darren Kelly	G	6-3/190	PTS: 15.3 | REB: 4.6 | AST: 2.9

Texas Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
T.J. Ford	G	5-11	Houston/Sugar Land Willowridge
Chris Wright	F	6-10	Redwater, Texas
Terrell Ross	G	6-4	Cumberland, Md./Allegany JC
Sydmill Harris	F	6-6	Caland Lyceum/The Neatherlands