Top 20 Players to Play for 30-Year Head Coach Rick Barnes

NCAA Basketball: Top 20 Players to Play for 30-Year Head Coach Rick Barnes

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 20: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Texas Longhorns reacts in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 20, 2014 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

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11 Mar 2000: Chris Mihm #4 of the Texas Longhorns moves for the ball as he is double teamed by Eduardo Najera #21 and Kelley Newton #20 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Big 12 Semi Final Tournament Game at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. The Sooners defeated the Longhorns 81-65. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport /

4. Chris Mihm – Texas Longhorns (1998-2000)

Career stats: 14.6 ppg 9.8 rpg 0.6

Mihm was a junior when Barnes arrived at Texas was one of the best bigs in the country, averaging double-doubles each of his final two years. He was an All-American his junior season, averaging 17.7 ppg and 10.5 rpg.

The seven-footer holds numerous records with Texas, particularly when it comes to blocking shots. He also is ranked in the top five in double-doubles and total rebounds and might be considered the best big man in school history.

3. TJ Ford – Texas Longhorns (2002-2003)

Career stats: 12.9 ppg 3.8 rpg 8.0 apg

He was around for just a couple of years, but arguably the greatest Longhorn guard in history was able to get his jersey retired in the rafters. Ford averaged 15.0 ppg and 7.7 apg, winning not only the Big 12 Player of the Year, as well as the Wooden Award for best player in the country.

The passing machine took Barnes and Texas to the Final Four, where Ford continued his marvelous display of ball handling. He averaged around 15 ppg and 10 apg, and had 12 points and 13 dimes in the national semifinal loss to Syracuse. His 254 total assists in 2003 is one of the highest in over 30 seasons.

2. Kevin Durant – Texas Longhorns (2007)

Career stats: 25.8 ppg 11.1 rpg 1.3 apg

One of the best-ever single-season performances in NCAA Basketball history was Durant in 2007, where he swept every big award that year, including the Wooden Award, becoming the first true freshman to do so.

His stats were gaudy, and the impact he had on both Texas (jersey was retired) and Barnes is indescribable. For most coaches, Durant would be the clear-cut No. 1 player. But there’s a record-holder who might have the upper hand.

1. Eric Murdock – Providence Friars (1988-1991)

Career stats: 17.3 ppg 4.3 rpg 4.2 apg

An all-around quality playmaker, Murdock is considered one of the best players in Providence Basketball history. Not only does he score nearly 20 ppg, he also can get up to five rebounds, assists, and even steals in any given game.

What vaults him up to No. 2 was his senior season, where he averaged a ridiculous stat line of 25.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg 4.6 apg and 3.5 spg. His 48 points in a Big East game was a nearly two-decade long record until 2011. Murdock also had the NCAA steals record until 2004.

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At Providence, he got the nickname “the Man of Steal”, which only adds to his legend. As incredible as Durant was in the modern era for Texas, he didn’t have long-standing records like Murdock did. I never got to see him play live, but the accolades speak for themselves. The four-year record holder gets the slight edge.

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