Longhorns prove they're deep and talented
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireAvery Bradley was one of four Texas players to score 20-plus points against North Carolina.Editor's note: This edition is for games played from Monday, Dec. 14, through Sunday, Dec. 20.
Team Of The Week: Texas
Last week: Beat Texas-Pan American 104-42; beat UNC 103-90 in Arlington, Texas
It was a light week because of final exams, but that shouldn't discount what the Longhorns accomplished. Texas had the most significant win of a title contender because everyone was waiting to see how it would handle the spotlight against the defending national champs in front of nearly 40,000 people.
The defense could have been quite a bit better in giving up 90 points, but the Longhorns proved they can score on anybody by scoring over 100 for the second straight game. They were certainly helped by the combined 48 points and 30 rebounds from Damion James and Dexter Pittman against UNC.
Texas' depth has always been a strength and it was once again apparent in the win over the Tar Heels. The Longhorns certainly showed they have oodles of talent and productivity at all five positions. There is a tremendous balance with five double-figure scorers and even more role players that seem to understand their position on the team. So far there are no squabbles on a team that is devoid of scrubs. This is a squad that can challenge top-ranked Kansas in the Big 12 and en route to Indianapolis. Texas gets another shot to prove its power with a home game against Michigan State on Tuesday.
The Rest Of The Rotation
Chris Warren, Jr., G, Ole Miss: Warren's comeback from an ACL injury has been remarkable. He's producing at an even higher clip than he was before he was injured. Warren outdueled UTEP's stable of guards with 32 points, making 13 of 15 free throws and five 3s in a 10-point overtime win over the Miners in Southaven, Miss. He didn't need to do too much in the rout of Centenary, but he'll likely be West Virginia's No. 1 target when the Rebels play in Morgantown on Wednesday.
Alex Stepheson, F, Jr., USC: Stepheson was hurt for the first two games, including the Trojans' home loss to Loyola Marymount. But the North Carolina transfer has delivered in nearly every game since, save a one-point showing at Texas. Stepheson was the dominant big man in the upset of Tennessee on Saturday, scoring 19 points, grabbing 15 boards and making an efficient 8-of-11 shots. If Stepheson can be a major factor, why not give the Trojans a shot in the Pac-10?
Jacob Pullen, Jr., G, Kansas State: Pullen lit up UNLV with seven 3s in the previous week for 28 points. He didn't fade one bit with a week between games. Pullen remained hot, making six 3s and scoring 30 points (10-of-15) in a 13-point road win at Alabama. In his last two games -- both wins away from home -- Pullen is shooting 65 percent from the field (20-of-31) and 68 percent from 3 (13-of-19).
Juan Fernandez, So., G, Temple: Fernandez was the star last week in the upset of Villanova, scoring 33 points, making 11-of-15 shots and converting on 7-of-9 3s. The Owls had one game this week and upset Seton Hall on the road by six. Fernandez was once again a stud, scoring 21 points, making all six free throw attempts, burying a 3-pointer and converting a high percentage of shots (7-of-12).
Major Additions
• Derrick Caracter, Jr., F, UTEP: Caracter had quite a week as the Miners went 1-1. He scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the overtime loss to Ole Miss, but then scored 21 points and snatched 10 boards in a rout over Alcorn State. Trust me: He'll be one of the top newcomers in Conference USA.
• Mike Gerrity, Sr., G, USC: USC picked up Gerrity as a transfer from Charlotte by way of Pepperdine. The Trojans desperately needed a point and were lost without one in the first eight games. Gerrity made quite a difference, outplaying his more hyped counterparts on the Vols in 37 minutes. Sure, he was 1-of-7 from the field, but he got to the free throw line, making 10 of 11 and scoring 12 points. He also dished out 10 assists. His savvy veteran play will help the Trojans be a factor in the Pac-10.
• Brady Morningstar, Jr., G, Kansas: Morningstar wasn't new to the Jayhawks. He was a part-time starter a year ago. But a DUI in the preseason got him booted for the fall semester. Kansas coach Bill Self used Morningstar for 22 minutes in the win over Michigan. Morningstar isn't going to be a star, but the addition of Xavier Henry to an already productive team means Morningstar doesn't have to do more than be a role player and limit mistakes.
• Jai Lucas, Jr., G, Texas: Texas coach Rick Barnes is clearly going to bring Lucas along slowly. He used him for six minutes against North Carolina on Saturday. That's OK. Lucas needs to earn his time with a team that's ranked No. 2 in the country.
• Keon Lawrence and Jeff Robinson, Seton Hall: The Pirates lost the first game with these two on board, falling to Temple by six at home. Lawrence scored 11 points, while Robinson added just five and had four fouls. They'll need to do more going forward.
• Reggie Redding, Sr., G, Villanova: Jay Wright didn't waste any time and started the previously suspended Redding against Fordham on Saturday. He played 27 minutes and helped the Wildcats with 15 points.
• Ater Majok, Fr., F, Connecticut: The native of Sudan made his debut against Central Florida on Sunday and it was hardly hype-endorsing with one point (0-2 FG) and three rebounds in 16 minutes in the comeback win over the Knights.
Places To Be This Week
Lexington, Ky., Monday: Kentucky goes for program win No. 2,000 against Drexel. This was one of those inevitable numbers -- the only drama was whether the Wildcats would get it before North Carolina. They will. Good thing John Calipari and Bruiser Flint are such good friends. There will be no hard feelings when Kentucky beats Drexel for the honor of being the first to 2,000.
Oklahoma City, Monday: UTEP missed a golden chance to pick up a quality win, losing in overtime to Ole Miss. Beating Oklahoma in Oklahoma City would qualify for the Miners. Derrick Caracter has quickly become a major player for UTEP and could be tough for the Sooners to handle. And no need to go home after this one, as Oklahoma State and La Salle tussle afterward at the Ford Center.
Austin, Texas, Tuesday: Texas looked national title-good against North Carolina, but here's the tricky part: Can they get right back up for a Michigan State team that seems to have its mojo back? Yes, the game is in Austin, but the Spartans are road-tested. Should be a good one.
Lawrence, Kansas, Tuesday: The Pac-10 had some good vibes working Saturday with USC, Arizona State and Washington posting quality wins. Cal has Theo Robertson back and is a much better team than the one that showed up in New York last month. But this is still at Phog Allen against top-ranked Kansas.
Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday: Butler continues its rugged nonconference slate by going to upstart UAB, which has put together its most impressive start under Mike Davis. The Blazers are suddenly looking like trouble in Conference USA. This will be a tough get for the Bulldogs.
Seattle, Tuesday: Texas A&M travels to Washington in the final game of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. A&M helped New Mexico's national profile with a loss to the Lobos in Houston. Washington missed out against Texas Tech and Georgetown. Beating Portland senseless helped morale, but UW needs a signature win.
Seattle, Tuesday: Yes, we're staying in Seattle -- specifically to KeyArena for LSU-Washington State. Wazzu still must be taken seriously in the Pac-10 with the league's best player in Klay Thompson. LSU coach Trent Johnson knows this trip all too well from his time at Stanford. The Cougars could use a power-six win, even if the Tigers don't end up being an NCAA-bound squad.
Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday: Ohio State is still finding its footing without Evan Turner, and after nearly upsetting West Virginia this weekend, Cleveland State suddenly looks like the team that beat Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament last season. Wonder how the Vikings will show in Columbus this week?
Morgantown, W. Va., Wednesday: Ole Miss' backcourt of Chris Warren and Terrico White should provide a difficult matchup for West Virginia's guards. But the difference here could be Kevin Jones, who has been the most consistent Mountaineer to date. This should be a good watch from beginning to end.
St. Louis, Wednesday: The records of the squads don't matter. Illinois and Missouri almost always provide entertainment in this annual game and the tempo will likely be at a high clip once again. Both the Illini and Tigers have had their moments of erratic play thus far, but the winner of this one can be taken a bit more seriously.
Newark, N.J., Saturday: The Big East opens with the only game on the national schedule the day after Christmas. Had Seton Hall not fallen to Temple, this had the potential to be an undefeated affair. Instead, the Pirates now must find a way to split -- at the very least -- their first two Big East home games. This is the first. Syracuse is the next.
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