What:Texas basketball at Big 12 media days

When:Rick Barnes news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Myles Turner at 10:55 a.m.

Who:Along with Barnes and Turner, players Isaiah Taylor and Jonathan Holmes will attend.

Where:Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo.

The Longhorns are coming off a surprisingly successful season last year, as some unexpectedly strong play from several underclassmen led Texas to a Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

This off-season the Longhorns added even more young talent as Myles Turner, the second best prospect in the nation according to ESPN.com, committed to play for Rick Barnes. Texas also added power forward Jordan Barnett, another ESPN100 guy, and Shaquille Cleare, a center who transferred over from Maryland.

Here are three Texas basketball story lines to get you ready for Wednesday's Big 12 media day in Kansas City, Mo.

1. High expectations.Aside from sophomore guard Martez Walker, who was dismissed from the team after being charged with assault, everyone from last year's squad is back in 2014. Led by Johnathan Holmes, the only senior on scholarship, the Longhorns landed second, just behind Kansas, in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll earlier this month. Turner will likely find his way into the starting lineup, and the addition of Barnett and Cleare will add depth to an already solid Texas bench. The return of so many players from last year's upstart bunch, combined with a few talented additions, has some touting the Longhorns as a team with potential to make a deep run in this year's NCAA tournament.

2. Freshman Phenom.From the moment he signed at Texas, the pressure has been mounting on Myles Turner. The incoming freshman center is already being labeled as the best Rick Barnes recruit since Kevin Durant and some outlets have him as a potential top-ten pick at next year's NBA Draft. After an illustrious career at Trinity High School in the DFW area, a lot is expected of Turner in his first season as a Longhorn. His length, athleticism and shooting range make it easy to compare the Bedford, Texas native to Durant. But if he is even just half as productive as Durant was in his lone year in burnt orange, Turner's first (and probably only) year on the 40 Acres will be considered a success.

3. Posts aplenty.If you haven't already noticed, Texas didn't lose any big men this off-season, but it added three more to an already crowded front court. Holmes, who spent last season playing the power forward position for the Longhorns, will likely move to small forward, but it will still be difficult to find playing time for each of Texas' post players. Juniors Cam Ridley and Prince Ibeh are expected to share time with Cleare at the center position while Turner, Barnett and junior Connor Lammert will probably rotate at the power forward spot. Barnes' will love having so much depth, but don't be surprised to see a couple players fall out of the crowded rotation by season's end.

More here:
Three Texas Longhorns basketball storylines heading into Big 12 media days

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October 14, 2014 at 7:43 am by Mr HomeBuilder
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