“If we had 25 points and 11 rebounds (per game) right now, we’d be a better team,” Barnes said.
Agreed. But they couldn’t be any more undefeated.
The Durant-less Longhorns (7-0) are ranked No. 4 after Sunday’s impressive road win at previously unbeaten UCLA and are making up for his absence by scoring points from everywhere.
Last season’s consensus national player of the year is with the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics now, but the Longhorns are playing like a wiser, more experienced team.
Texas starts three sophomores (guards D.J. Augustin and Justin Mason and forward Damion James) and two juniors (guard A.J. Abrams and forward Connor Atchley), and the players who sometimes watched Durant take over games now are the ones scooping rebounds, driving to the lane and popping long 3-pointers.
Even without Durant’s points, Texas is averaging 84.4 per game and has a pair of wins over top 10 teams.
The Longhorns shot 64 percent in blasting then-No. 7 Tennessee 97-78 on Thanksgiving weekend, and James’ dunk in the waning seconds in Los Angeles knocked off then-No. 2 UCLA 63-61. The Bruins are the highest-ranked opponent Texas has beaten on the road.
“They didn’t flinch,” Barnes said. “I think they’ve shown they are fearless.”
All five Texas starters are averaging more than 11 points per game. Abrams, who set a Big 12 Conference record with 120 3-pointers last season, leads the way at 18.7. Augustin, an All-America candidate at point guard, is averaging 17.7 points and 6.6 assists.
The biggest surprise has been the emergence of James as a consistent scoring threat. He averaged 7.6 points last season, but in two wins last week he averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds to win the Big 12 Player of the Week award.
Barnes said he didn’t know what to expect before the season started. He knew his team would be more mature, but injuries kept many of his players from practice before the first game.
The Longhorns also are without top recruit Gary Johnson, who was supposed to be their best frontcourt scorer but has been held out with an unspecified heart condition. He’s been allowed to practice but has not been cleared by doctors for games.
Early-season surprises are one thing. Now comes the challenge playing at a high level through December before the Big 12 season starts. The Longhorns play North Texas (5-1) tonight, with Oral Roberts, No. 9 Michigan State and Wisconsin also on the schedule this month.
“If we don’t get ready to play, it will be right back to the proud peacock today, feather duster tomorrow,” Barnes said.
