Texas Longhorns Q&A w/ Mark Rosner

Mark Rosner covers the Texas Longhorns for the Austin American-Statesman.
You can find his work at:
http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/

Rosner can also be found on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/#!/Roshoops

Baltimore Sports and Life thanks Mr. Rosner for answering a few questions about the Longhorns.Depending on the results of Maryland's game vs.Pittsburgh, and the Illinois vs. Texas match-up, the Terps could face Texas Friday.

Baltimore Sports and Life: "In January last-season the Longhorns were ranked #1 Nationally. When the seasonended, Texas had lost 10 of their last 17 games including the first-round of the NCAA Tournament. If that Texas teamwas overrated, do you think this current version has been underrated in the Big 12 and Nationally?"

Mark Rosner: "The Big 12 coaches picked Texas third, ahead of Baylor and Missouri, so they definitely did notunder rate them. Both those teams are ahead of Texas in the polls. I heard Texas played very well against Gonzaga in one of those closed scrimmages they are not supposed to talk about (NCAA rule). That led me to believe that maybe Texas is a little under rated with its No. 27 spot in the AP preseason poll. Texas has three potentialfirst rounders -- Thompson, Hamilton and Joseph -- if you read the draft sites. But there is not a lot of size or depth."

Baltimore Sports and Life: "Texas lost 3 players to NBA Draft, but as you alluded there is plenty of talent still onthe roster. Sophomore SF Jordan Hamilton was a Top 10 National recruit, and is the leading returning scorer. In thefirst two games this year against Navy and Louisiana Tech he has averaged 22.5 points, and 7 boards a game.Tell us about Hamilton's game."

Mark Rosner: "Last season he shot without conscience and didn't play enough defense. This season he appears tobe trying harder on defense, and while he still takes a lot of shots, Hamilton is more judicious in his selection."

Baltimore Sports and Life: "Jai Lucas is the son of John Lucas, one of the all-time greats at Maryland. Jai was heavily recruited by Maryland before signing with the University of Florida. During Lucas' Freshman seasonat Florida, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman team as he averaged 8.5 ppg, 43.5% from 3, and played30 minutes a game. He transferred to Texas which made him ineligible for 2008-09 season. Last year Lucas did not play his first-game with the Longhorns until mid-December, and averaged only 10 minutes per game for the year.What was he not doing last-year to earn more playing-time, and what is expected him of this now?"

Mark Rosner: "Jai is very smart, but he is about 5-9 and not exceptionally quick or strong. He can, and has, hit anopen shot. Texas has only four guards this season, and Jai has to contribute. So far he is averaging 19 minutes and7 points in two games. This week will be a test against bigger, more talented, more physical teams."

Baltimore Sports and Life: "Coach Rick Barnes grabbed two heralded Canadian youths in PG Cory Joseph, andPF/C Tristan Thompson. Both players spent time Nevada's Findlay Prep, and were consensus Top 10 National recruits. Joseph won the 3 point contest at the McDonald's All-American Game, and has started both of the first twogames averaging 31 minutes per. Thompson came off the bench both games, but is averaging 14.5 points,7 boards,2 steals, and 1.5 blocks. What have you seen so far out of them?"

Mark Rosner: "Thompson has shown the ability to defend, rebound, score inside and hit a jump shot from maybe12 feet. Joseph has been playing a lot on the wing, and he has not heated up yet from the perimeter. He hit 47 percent of his threes last season. He does have 7 assists and 11 rebounds. He plays hard on defense, but we have not seen him that much as a playmaker yet."

Baltimore Sports and Life: "Senior Forward Gary Johnson came into this season having played in 88 career games (17 starts) and has twice been named as an All Big-12 Conference reserve. So far this year the 6'6 235pound Johnson is averaging 16 ppg, and 8 boards. Is he essentially a SF being asked to play-up at the 4?"

Mark Rosner: "Gary is an undersized power forward, at least in terms of height. You can't just dump the ball intohim and expect him to score. He has improved his mid-range shot over time, and with Texas using more screens and movement this season, he should have opportunities for those shots."

Baltimore Sports and Life: "Sophomore Guard J'Covan Brown averaged 9.6 ppg as a Freshman, including scoring efforts of 20 against Wake Forest, 21 against North Carolina, and 28 against Kansas. Is Brown ready to emerge asa consistent scorer?"

Mark Rosner: "I don't know if he is accurate enough from outside, or athletic enough around the basket, to attain real consistency. But he can be streaky-good. Texas does not have much depth this season, so he should have theopportunity to heat up in games."

Baltimore Sports and Life: "If you were Coaching against Rick Barnes and this Texas team, how would you attack them. What would you be attempting to guard against?"

Mark Rosner: "I almost never coach, although Barnes might sometimes disagree."