Kris Clack

"can't believe I have to cut you list"

I mentioned him after Damion. He was a great all-around player.

Werent Mihm and Mo Evans Penders recruits? and maybe even Chris Owens?  Damn, Barnes has been here awhile.

I want Connor and/or Buckman on that list.  I can't imagine who I'd kick off though...

I included the players Penders recruited on the list because I think Barnes played a big part in their development, especially with Mihm who I think would've played in Europe if not for Rick. Evans was a Barnes recruit from another college (forgot which one) and so was Owens (Tulane). It wouldn't suffer much otherwise.

Can't go wrong with Buckman, but I don't know what he brought to the table that these guys didn't.

Connor and Mase have yet to play their best basketball as they'll definitely be back next year.

The list is just for fun, I didn't put a formula in or anything, an argument can be made for all the players mentioned.

without a tall white guy stepping out for the 3? :)

I'd go with Ford, Durant as off guard, Tucker, Aldridge as my main four.  Talk about matchup nightmares.

5th might be Boddicker (prolific high % 3's).  Even if he's not one of the top 13, definitely fills a role and would make the team nearly impossible to defend.  None of the other forwards can really play pick and pop unless you want Durant setting screens.  Connor getting there fast.

He could have been so much better if only he had a softer pair of hands.  Every basket he made seemed to come after he misses the first shot and got his own rebound.

Starters:
TJ
Mouton
Durant
PJ
LA

Bench:
DJ
Gibson
Royal
James
Thomas

TJ Ford is one great player but I would pick DJ to run the point. DJ doesn't have the blinding speed or quickness but he is much more deliberate in the half court offense which leads to better shots. If you compare this teams offensive efficiency to Ford's I bet this years team was higher. That's DJ controlling the pace and taking the time to get the defense out of position. DJ is totally methodical about cutting up the defense. I can't think of another college PG as  exacting and in control as he dissects the defense.      

I would pick Atchley over James Thomas. Thomas was a great rebounder but he had hands of stone and didn't add much on the offense. Atchley may get 2-3 less rebounds per game but he will gets more blocks to make up for those. Atchley is a much better passer and can even carry the offense for a small part of the game. He's also much more of a threat in the pick roll and High Screens.

Just looking at all the players people are picking, it's ridiculous how long Barnes has been around, how many great players have come and gone and how many NCAA championships we've won...oh, wait, we haven't.  Just looking at the impressive list of players that Barnes has coached, isn't it the slightest bit frustrating that we haven't ever come as close as we did with TJ when we made it to the Final 4?  If only some of these guys would stick it out 1 more year or 2, we could really assemble some unstoppable teams, but for some reason, they like to jump to the NBA as soon as the opportunity presents itself.  But it is frustrating.  
Question on Boddicker, who I happened to love when he was at UT, but why was he so hated by other fan bases?  I had no idea about this.

I like this team:

PG: T.J. Ford: he wasn't as pure a scorer as DJ but he was a better passer, unstoppable in crunch time and a better defender/rebounder. Imagine if he had played with Durant or AJ (here he will).
SG: Royal Ivey: This team will have all the necessary scoring to allow space for a fantastic defender who could run the point if necessary.
SF: Damion James: Outstanding rebounder and can guard post-players and tall perimeter players extremely well. Runs the court well and spaces out the floor.
PF: Kevin Durant: The best player to play at UT ever. We can put James on a post-player if necessary to protect Durant, it doesn't really matter.
C: LaMarcus Aldridge: Imagine Texas running some of the high screen plays we've run with Atchley/DJ only with Ford/Aldridge. LaMarcus could shoot 15 footers or run to the basket.

Bench:
*DJ Augustine: not really needed with TJ Ford but one of the best players to play at UT so I include him.
P.J. Tucker: Versatile and could spell either Durant or James.
Daniel Gibson: Rest for Ivey or TJ. Good shooter off the bench.
James Thomas: Best rebounder Texas has ever had.
Brandon Mouton: Another Shooter off the bench who could also do other things.

That's my nine deep and the best combination of players I think Texas could assemble in a way that would make sense. Texas could continue to spread the floor with this team and have lethal defense and a deadly transition game.

The one we would have had last year given a stay in school for 4 years rule.
Augustin
Gibson
Tucker
Durant
Aldridge

bench:
James
Mason
Atchley
Abrams

I wonder who they would have had to play (given the 4 year rule).