40 Acres Sports » Texas Exes

WTH Moments – Longhorns in the NBA

Ross — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:12:50 +0000

As we conclude another Longhorn basketball season, we are left again unfilled. The men’s basketball team was a crucial moment away from a visit to the Sweet Sixteen which is seen by many fans as a benchmark for success. I am not going to lament the fact that we have only reached this plateau 5 times under Rick Barnes. We need to realize what we have in Austin. There is an NBA team playing on the 40 acres. Let’s take a look at the NBA players that have been drafted while playing for Rick Barnes:

Player (*active)	NBA Draft	Pick
Chris Clack	1999	55th
Chris Mihm	2000	24th
Chris Owens	2002	48th
T.J. Ford*	2003	8th
Royal Ivey*	2004	37th
LaMarcus Aldridge*	2006	2nd
P.J. Tucker	2006	35th
Daniel Gibson*	2006	42nd
Kevin Durant*	2007	2nd
D.J. Augustin*	2008	9th
Avery Bradley*	2010	19th
Damion James*	2010	24th
Dexter Pittman	2010	32nd

This is a very impressive list of NBA players especially if you compare it to other schools. Currently there are only 6 other colleges that have more players that are active in the NBA (bet you could name the schools without looking at the next sentence). Those 6 teams are the true blue bloods of college basketball: UCLA, Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, and Connecticut. We are tied for 7th with the team we just lost to which is Arizona. Oh yeah, everyone of these schools has won a NCAA championship in the past 15 years while Coach Barnes has been at the helm for 13 of those years. I know that Barnes was quoted by ESPN saying “We would love to win a national championship, but we’re not obsessed with it because we’re obsessed with these guys trying to live their NBA dreams”. I share the same feelings of Jay Bilas who was quoted that “Coaches will down play the importance of winning the title, until they actually win it”. But you can understand the frustrations of Longhorn fans when so many players are at the elite level with no NCAA championships to validate your program.

The Horns program is very similar to many NBA franchise. Go to a men’s home basketball game with the suites, the lack of attendance and the lack of electricity unless the scoreboard calls for noise or a highly ranked team has to make a visit. The brand of basketball played here is entertaining like you would see at any NBA game. The problem is that this team looks like the team you would travel north on I-35 to see which are the Mavericks. The team is fun to watch, entertaining, great in the regular season but nothing substantial to speak of in regards to conference or league titles. I wish the Horns were more like the NBA team that is located just south of us that brings home the championships.

Thanks for following my WTH articles throughout the season. I appreciate the opportunity to rant about the greatest University sports program in the country. You can continue to follow comments on all of UT sports on twitter at 40AcresSports or follow me at Horns1991. HOOK EM!!

Kevin Durant named to first NBA All-Star team

Brian — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:51:01 +0000

He didn’t get voted in like he should have, but Kevin Durant has been named as a reserve for the NBA All-Star game. The first of many I’m sure.

Vince Young is back. Superman does it again.

Brian — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:36:10 +0000

Hope you have NFL Sunday Ticket, but has become must-see-tv again. Just like when he in college at Texas, he was Superman today for the Tennessee Titans throwing for 387 yards and leading a 99-yard gamewinning drive with 2 minutes left in the game. And Matt Leinart was there again too:

Last week’s game had them talking about Vince Young as an awesome weapon playing quarterback. This was an incredible performance that left the NFL experts gushing about Vince Young as an NFL quarterback. He was poised. He was accurate. He was Vince Young.

For Redskins’ Orakpo, transition to linebacker hasn’t slowed rookie’s rush

Brian — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:45:01 +0000

Texas ex Brian Orakpo is tearing up the NFL in his first season with the Washington Redskins, already with 7 sacks midway through the year. The Washington Post gets some good quotes from Redskins coach Jim Zorn, Texas coach Oscar Giles, and former teammate Rashad Bobino about Rak’s transition to a hybrid defensive end/linebacker.

Link: Redskins’ Orakpo finds success at two positions

Nothing to do in Oklahoma City? Time for a slap fight.

Brian — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:19:04 +0000

Yes, is still just a big kid. What does he do when he’s bored at home? (Which living in Oklahoma City is probably pretty often.) He gets in a slap fight with his brother Tony. And video tapes it and throws it up on Twitter.

The friend taping it giggles like a school girl. Awesome.

(via Deadspin)

Tennessean reporting Vince Young will start at QB against Jaguars

Brian — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:20:55 +0000

The Tennessean is reporting that the Titans have benched quarterback Kerry Collins and Texas legend will make the start Sunday versus the Jaguars. The Titans are 0-6 and Vince is due big money if the team wants to keep him after this season, it is only logical that the team throws him out there for the final 10 games of the season to see what he can do.

Link: Titans to start Vince Young against Jaguars

Video: Titans owner Bud Adams wants Vince Young to start

Brian — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:30:29 +0000

Finally, some sense coming out of the Tennessee Titans. Team owner Bud Adams has told local media that he wants Texas ex to start at quarterback for the Titans this weekend. Head coach Jeff Fisher is apparently still interested in being awful with an old bad QB with no future than finding out what your possible future is capable of. Watch:

Link: Cedric Benson highlights versus Bears

Brian — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:10 +0000

Former Texas running back had a huge 189-yard performance against the team that dumped him. Against the Bears he rushed for a career high in yards on 37 carries and now leads the league in rushing yards.

Link: Cedric Benson highlights versus Bears

Video: Ricky Williams breaks long TD run against New Orleans

Brian — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:48:02 +0000

Great day for today against the team that drafted him. The Dolphins blew it in the fourth against the Saints but Ricky rushed for 3 touchdowns including this career long 68-yarder below:

LaMarcus Aldridge to get $65M extension with Portland Trail Blazers

Brian — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:41:59 +0000

Texas ex has agreed in principle to a five year, $65 million extension with the Portland Trail Blazers. This should keep Aldridge and teammate Brandon Roy together through 2014-2015 season.

Link: Aldridge to get $65M extension

Cedric Benson believes he was blackballed by Chicago Bears

Brian — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:39:01 +0000

Cedric Benson is about to take on his old team this weekend when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Chicago Bears, so he’s talking about what he feels the Bears did after they released him. He told Chicago reporters he feels the Bears gave other teams negative reports in an attempt to blackball him:

“I heard all the rumors that were said coming out of Chicago,” Benson said Wednesday in a conference call with Chicago media. “Even the Bengals told me, they would call and inquire about me and get nothing but negative things — just that I didn’t work hard, that I was a prima donna, or didn’t work hard on the field, or I wasn’t focused. Anything negative they could say, it was said. I’m sure that contributed largely to me not getting picked up right away.”

Kevin Durant true to his school

Brian — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:29:56 +0000

Kevin Durant was only at Texas for one season but he’s still one of my all-time favorite Longhorns. He’s also a rarity in a one-and-done player who is completely in love with his alma mater. He’s a true Longhorn and this article from The Oklahoman is a fantastic read.

Link: Thunder Insider – Kevin Durant true to his school

Vince Young fills in as dad for Steve McNair’s sons

Brian — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:04:48 +0000

He’s not perfect and he hasn’t been a great NFL player (so far), but I’ll never understand why some people root so hard against . This week, the young man stepped in and took Steve McNair’s sons to a father-son function at their school:

As a kid, Titans quarterback Vince Young looked up to Steve McNair. On Wednesday, McNair’s two young sons looked to Young as their father figure.

As part of “Dear Dads Breakfast” at St. Paul Christian Academy, Young surprised the children when he showed up at their house early Wednesday and took them to the Pancake Pantry.

Read the full story.

Video: Kevin Durant says “Don’t Criticize, Hyperize”

Brian — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:52:06 +0000

Velvet Hoop, aka , and his friends Chief Blocka, Fog Raw, and the stylin’ Ice-O preach to the faithful to hyperize, not to criticize. Of course it’s actually a Nike commercial, but it’s still pretty funny stuff. KD is still so soft spoken even in a rap video. Watch it:

Click to play video.

Link: Vince Young highlights from second preseason game against Buccaneers

Brian — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:04:12 +0000

After a very rough Hall of Fame Game outing against the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans quarterback rebounded with an impressive performance in his second preseason game Saturday night. The Titans’ starting QB Kerry Collins threw for only 37 yards and 2 picks while Young used his arm and his feet on the way to an efficient 131 yards and 1 touchdown.

Link: Vince Young highlights vs Bucs

Jamaal Charles could be headed for big year for Kansas City Chiefs

Brian — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:43:26 +0000

When running back left the University of Texas early, some fans screamed that he was making a big mistake. While the Longhorns could have certainly used him in the backfield last season, Charles’ NFL career is already going strong. After a promising rookie season even with limited touches, Kansas City Chiefs coaches and NFL media experts both think he could be headed for breakout season. The Football Outsiders think Charles is a good fit for the new KC offense:

In 2008, running back Jamaal Charles had an excellent rookie season for the Chiefs. Charles averaged 5.3 yards per carry (although he had just 67 carries) and caught 27 passes for more than 10 yards per reception. Those excellent numbers aren’t the only reason Charles is a good bet for 2009. Compared to backfield partner Larry Johnson, Charles has a style that’s a much better fit for the offense of new Chiefs coach Todd Haley. Charles is a speed demon who patiently looks for running lanes instead of lowering his shoulder and pushing the pile, and that’s a style that fits perfectly with a shotgun attack designed to spread out defenses and take linebackers off the field with nickel and dime coverages.

If you have an ESPN Insider account, read the full article on the Chiefs and check out more Football Outsiders team previews.

Brian Orakpo signs deal with Washington Redskins

Brian — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:48:36 +0000

Brian Orakpo has agreed to a deal with the Washington Redskins. Terms of the deal to come later.

Video: Frank Okam talks about upcoming season with Texans

Brian — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:20:25 +0000

Former Longhorn and current Houston Texan defensive tackle talks about losing weight, showing a commitment to football, and what he could do on the field in 2009:

Video: Vince Young speaks at Steve McNair’s memorial service

Brian — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:48:20 +0000

Former Texas quarterback lost a mentor and hero when former Titans’ star Steve McNair was murdered last week. Yesterday Vince spoke briefly at McNair’s funeral service and he had trouble keeping his emotions in check. With tears in his eyes Young said, “Steve was like a hero to me, and heroes are not supposed to die.”

Our thoughts go out to McNair’s family and friends.

Best of Twitter: July 12, 2009

Brian — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:21:12 +0000

#ESPN says contract talks btwn Blazers & LaMarcus Aldridge have stalled, but that he “will be here for a long time”: http://tr.im/rO6o #UT 1 day ago
RT @InsideTexas: Texas-Ex Aaron Peirsol breaks world record in 100-meter back with time of 51.94 at 2009 USA Swimming National Championships 3 days ago
RT @cnnbrk: McNair was shot by woman in murder-suicide, police say – http://bit.ly/irjfL 3 days ago
RT @bevobeat: Vince Young issues statement on “Pops” http://bit.ly/PDp63 6 days ago
RT @Lesleymccaslin: Just called WKRN in Nashville – They say the reports that QB Steve McNair is dead are true and they don’t know much more 7 days ago
RT @espn: Report: Roger Clemens didn’t test positive in 2003 – http://tinyurl.com/nzlaac #ut 8 days ago
Rumors about #UT defensive end Eddie Jones’ health, but @gkketch & Co shot then down. Hope they’re right. 8 days ago