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Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:48 pm EDT

Longhorns get Jai Lucas back earlier than expected

By Eamonn Brennan

In the realm of minor yet exciting college basketball details comes today's news that Texas guard Jai Lucas, who transferred from Florida in January, will be able to return to Texas sooner than previously expected. Yay for school! Yay for me! Yay for transfer-related enrollment technicalities!

Jai Lucas, the Longhorn guard who transferred from Florida in January, will be eligible to compete for Texas for the first time against Texas Pan-American on Dec. 15 in the Erwin Center, team spokesman Scott McConnell said Tuesday. That’s crucial news for Lucas and the Longhorns, who were hoping he could get one game with the team before facing North Carolina on Dec. 19 in Arlington. Lucas is eligible on Dec. 15 because that’s the last day of final exams at UT.

Lucas doesn't have to sit out a calendar year; he just has to wait until the academic year is completely over. Simple enough, but that gets Lucas back sooner than expected, so it's a big deal all the same.

With Lucas back in the fold, Texas might just be a favorite against a talented but young UNC squad on Dec. 19. This is arguably Rick Barnes's best team ever; it's certainly the deepest he's ever had. Barnes adds Lucas to his No. 2-ranked 2009 recruiting class (only John Calipari's insane haul at Kentucky could top it), a class that includes the No. 4- (Avery Bradley) and No. 6- (Jordan Hamilton) ranked players. Last year the Longhorns had to work primarily through A.J. Abrams' skittery outside shooting game. This year, they're embarrassed with riches. And every one of those riches will be available to them before their first big non-conference game of the season.

By which I mean to say, um, sorry, UNC. That's a bummer.

Related: Big 12 Basketball

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9 Comments

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  1. Cheers 4 Beers
    1. Posted by Cheers 4 Beers Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:10 am EDT

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    Really now.You actually think UNC is woorried.They will need all the help they can get just to stay in the game.Texas better stick to football bub.....
  2. T. N.
    2. Posted by T. N. Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:21 pm EDT

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    LMAO @ Bobby B. Texas will need all the help they can get? Seriously, I think Texas will be okay this season. They have four or five first round picks on their roster. Hopefully that will be enough to overtake a UNC squad that must replace 60% of it's scoring and 4 of it's top 7 players from last year.
  3. Cheers 4 Beers
    3. Posted by Cheers 4 Beers Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:22 pm EDT

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    Texas wouldnt finish top 5 in the ACC.Theres a reason Barnes was run out of Clemson.Because he couldnt hang with the big dogs.So keep your puppy azz on the porch or just watch the game.That will shut you up.Now Im LMAO.....
  4. T. N.
    4. Posted by T. N. Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:01 pm EDT

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    Barnes run out Bobby B*tch? Not how I remember it. I remember a lot of issues with bias refs and Duke. I think he left for a better job with much higher pay and better facilities. The ACC hasn't been tough for 5 or 6 years now. North Carolina is legit, Duke is one dimensional and soft. Wouldn't finish in the top five? UNC, and then what other program is solid year in and year out? Wake, Maryland, Clemson, BC, Miami, FSU, help me out here b/c I'm trying to remember who else is in the weak a$$ ACC. Did you watch how your precious ACC got destroyed in last year's tournament. Thank Roy Williams for leaving Kansas and saving UNC. No big dogs there. One big dog and a bunch of french poodles. ROLMAO!!!!
  5. Cheers 4 Beers
    5. Posted by Cheers 4 Beers Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:24 am EDT

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    My Heels were the top of the heap stuoid
  6. Stachey
    6. Posted by Stachey Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:32 pm EST

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    Texas wouldnt finish top 5 in the ACC.Theres a reason Barnes was run out of Clemson.Because he couldnt hang with the big dogs.So keep your puppy azz on the porch or just watch the game.That will shut you up.Now Im LMAO.....
    Thats a bold statement, thats like Greivis Vasquez last year about memphis. There's a reason Roy Williams was RAN out of Kansas, he couldn't hang with the big dogs,
  7. Cheers 4 Beers
    7. Posted by Cheers 4 Beers Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:34 am EST

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    Hell with Maryland.Kansas is a respectable school.,but the facts are Roy left them to coach the premeir team in the country.Just that simple.
  8. Cheers 4 Beers
    8. Posted by Cheers 4 Beers Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:35 am EST

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    Texas, well thats just plain funny.
  9. Stachey
    9. Posted by Stachey Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:56 pm EST

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    Hell with Maryland.Kansas is a respectable school.,but the facts are Roy left them to coach the premeir team in the country.Just that simple
    ---------------
    Did u you watch that Maryland Carolina game?????
    Roy left Kansas?? No they wanted him out cuz he couldnt win a championship. My favorite part of the 2008 Final 4 was when Kansas was winning 40-12 over Carolina in the first half LOL!!!!!!!! Texas will be better than carolina this year, in every sport that matters ( Football, Basketball, Baseball)

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