At the start of the season, B12H.com ran a "Five Questions For..." segment asking the five most pressing questions of each team. In our continuing review of the season, here are the answers to those questions.
Five Questions For...UT basketball
1) Who will play the majority of the year, the Dexter Pittman who dominated the end of last season or the Dexter Pittman who was essentially non-existent for the first half?
2009-2010 Dexter Pitman was essentially the same as the junior year version. There were games he he would go for 23 and 15, like he did against North Carolina and games where he would register 4 points and 1 rebound, like the following game against Michigan St. All told his numbers were decent, averaging 10 pts and 6 reb, but his consistency from night to night was off.
2) Is freshman Avery Bradley as good as advertised?
Bradley was good, no doubt about it. Averaging 11.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 2.1 assists per game, Bradley was a main contributor. "As good as advertised" though was going to be tough. Some publications had him as a first team All defensive candidate, not just in the league, but in the country. So was he good? Yes. Great? Not particularly. But did he meet any expectation thrown at him? Id' say that only one frosh in the country did that, and he lives in Lexington, KY.
3) Can the team get back to its first Final Four since 2003?
On the morning of January 18, I don't think anyone in the country could doubt that they were a strong contender. They were ranked #1 in the contry for the first time in school history. They were 17-0. Then came the colossal collapse, which ended with a first round exit in the tourney... as an 8-seed. From #1 in the country in January to an 8-seed in March. Just makes you scratch your head.
4) Did Damion James make the right move in returning for his senior season?
Yes. James ended up registering 18 ppg and 10.8 rpg. He was the lone consistant spot on the Horns throughout the year. Even as the team was in a free fall, James was still doing his part to keep the team in games.
5) Between Dogus Balbay, Jai Lucas and J'Covan Brown, who will win the battle for starting PG spot?
It was Balbay's spot until he got injured late in the game, then J'Covan Brown stepped in, until he and coach Rick Barnes had a fued and Brown's time was limited.
During the preseason, the readers barely though that having the right Pitman show up was the most pressing issue for the 09-10 Horns.
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