Rick Barnes Era Ending at Texas? Fire up the Buzz Williams Rumors
By Jason McIntyre
Now that Kabongo’s gone, it looks like the Longhorns will be fortunate to reach last season’s 16-18 mark. The team’s 2nd leading scorer, Sheldon McClellan, announced last month he’s transferring.
Texas will be very young and there are no blue chippers on the way. Barnes’ top two recruits are outside the Rivals 100.
Barnes has been in Austin for 15 years. He had a terrific 7-year span that included two Sweet 16 trips, two Elite 8 exits, and one Final Four. But since 2008, the Longhorns have underachieved despite having plenty of NBA talent (six 1st round picks).
2009 – 7 seed, lost in 2nd round to Duke
2010 – 8 seed, lost in 1st round to Wake Forest [That team had 2 1st round picks – Bradley, James]
2011 – 4 seed, lost in the 2nd round to Arizona [That team had 3 1st round picks – Thompson, Hamilton & Joseph]
2012 – 11 seed, lost in the 1st round to Cincinnati
2013 – missed the NCAA tournament
In the last five years, Barnes is 2-4 in the NCAA tournament. He’s one of the 10 highest paid coaches in the country thanks to a raise in 2011.
The Buzz Williams rumors will be in full swing next season as Marquette – which will be very good next year – lingers in the Top 10, and the Longhorns wallow near the basement of the Big 12.