Texas's Dogus Balbay Is Quietly Making a Name for Himself

He isn't one of the better shooters on the floor.

He's not the tallest guy on the floor, either.

However, junior point guard Dogus Balbay may very well be the hardest working player on Rick Barnes's squad.

Texas's 78-62 win over Pitt on Tuesday night was a coming out party for Texas's athletic point guard.  For anyone who has never really watched Balbay play, they got a pretty good idea of just how ferocious he is.

Balbay had 10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals on the night, easily the most complete performance of anyone on the court.

Balbay was flat out outstanding on defense as he was able to make life incredibly hard for Pitt's guards Travon Woodall and Ashton Gibbs.

Dogus's key play came with just over four minutes left in the game, when he stole the ball from Woodall in transition and dished it to Damion James.  James capitalized with a Layup, pushing Texas's lead to 71-59 and essentially putting the game out of reach.

That was just one of many timely plays Balbay made over the course of the game.

Balbay was able to drive in to the lane and finish around the rim (four for six from the field), something he struggled with last season.

With Balbay keeping Pitt's aggressive defense honest with his driving ability, J'Covan Brown and Jordan Hamilton were able to knock down some big shots from three point range.

While Balbay has always been a good athlete, it is clear that he put in a great deal of work in the offseason.

A year ago he was a bit wild with the basketball, thundering in to the lane with no control.

Tonight he was in complete control and made some good plays around the rim whether he was scoring or dishing it off to someone else.

A year ago he would often hold the ball too long and then throw up a foolish shot.

Tonight he got Texas running up and down the court and made smart, quick passes to players who had clear mismatches down low.

With players like Damion James, Dexter Pittman, and a host of talented freshmen gracing the roster, it's easy to overlook the Turkish point guard.

That may be the very reason he could be one of Texas's greatest assets this season.

Teams will be loading up to stop James and Pittman down low and Bradley and Brown on the perimeter.  If Balbay is able to improve his shooting slightly and continue his brilliant play driving in to the lane, he will make life easier on the other players.

Balbay is also good for getting to the free throw line four to five times a game (making the free throws is a different story, however).

Knock down-drag out games like the one Texas played against Pitt play to Balbay's strengths.  He's not afraid of contact and he flat out gets after every loose ball.  I have never seen a guard of his size (6'0", 175 lbs.) so keen on getting in on the action with the big boys down low.

Dogus Balbay's incredible athleticism and improved offensive skill set makes him one of the more complete players on the roster. 

His progression this season will be key for Texas's run through the non-conference and Big 12 schedules.

If defenses continue to ignore Balbay, rest assured he will make them pay one way or another.