Longhorn men 3rd in coaches' poll

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The first major pre-season basketball poll was released on Thursday and the Longhorns check in at No. 3.

Big XII rival Kansas is No. one followed by Michigan State. Defending National Champion North Carolina follows Texas at No. four and Kentucky led by new head coach John Calipari rounds out the top five.

Rick Barnes enters his 11th year at Texas with possibly his deepest roster. Senior Damion James and his 15 and 9.2 rebounds per game is one of four returning starters.

In all, there are six players who averaged more than 10 minutes-per-game last year back along. Add to that big man Alexis Wangmene who played just four games before suffering a season ending knee injury.

Then there is the recruiting class considered one of the best in the nation, throw in Florida-transfer Jai Lucas who becomes eligible on Dec. 15, and its easy to see how developing chemistry and some kind of consistent rotation might be one of Barnes biggest challenges.

Barnes will have plenty of great early competition to figure some things out. UT's non conference schedule is highlighted by back to back games against top five teams.

On Dec. 19 the Longhorns take on North Carolina at Cowboys stadium in Arlington followed by a home game against Michigan State on Dec. 22. Texas will host Kansas on Feb. 8. The Longhorns open the season on Nov. 15 when they host UC Irvine at 1 p.m.