Texas Longhorns

AP preseason ranking: No. 3.

Head coach: Rick Barnes (270-105 at Texas, 472-239 overall).

Last season: 23-12 overall, 9-7 Big 12 (tied 4th).

Returning stars: Damion James, 6-7, Sr., G/F (15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg); Dexter Pittman, 6-10, Sr., C (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg).

Keep an eye on: Solid point guard play from Dogus Balbay and freshman guard Avery Bradley, who was the nation`s No. 2 rated prospect by Scout.com.

Stats that matter: Texas has recorded at least 20 wins in 10 consecutive seasons and won at least nine Big 12 games every year since Barnes took over. ... Balbay had 23 games last season with one or fewer turnovers (nine games without a turnover). ... Pittman, listed at 290 pounds, has lost over 100 pounds since arriving in Austin.

Quotable: "With the players that we`ve had -- Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Alrdridge, Daniel Gibson, T.J. Ford -- the more visibility they have, the more people know who we are. There`s no doubt about that," Barnes said of the recent list of Longhorns who are now in the NBA. "Those are guys that really continue to help our program."

Outlook: The Longhorns are 14 players deep. That`s almost unheard of in college basketball. If Barnes can keep all of the talent happy and focused, there is no question Texas could make a run at the Final Four.

CU sees `em: Jan. 9 in Austin for the Big 12 opener (11:30 a.m., Big 12 Network).

Tomorrow`s preview: Oklahoma Sooners.

-- Ryan Thorburn