Early Title Pick...I'll Take Texas

Originally Published: Feb 10, 2011 3:57 PM CDT

After seeing them 1st hand Wednesday night, Im even more convinced now that this is the best Texas team Rick Barnes has had. That sounds ridiculous for a program that has seen Kevin Durant and T.J. Ford don their unis. But I believe it is true.

This is a great team. "Team" being the operative word there. They have sure-fire NBA players in Tristan Thompson and Jordan Hamilton, a great table-setter in Balbay, three-point shooters all over the floor, an old-man in Gary Johnson who is a leader, and they have bought into playing smothering defense.

Maybe Im just subconsciously trying to put the Toby hex on them, but I think the Horns are the favorites to win it all come March. I think theyre the most complete team in the nation. Nine straight wins in the Big 12..all by double digits. The only question in my mind is whether they can stay this hot until March, or whether theyve peaked too soon.