Brutal Schedule Awaits Texas: The Horns' 10 Biggest Games of 2008-09

Texas may be football country, but Rick Barnes has quietly built a top tier basketball program. This season's schedule reflects that status, as Texas will play six teams in the preseason AP Top 25 in non-conference play, plus the always rigorous Big 12 schedule. The Horns may drop a couple games, but they will definitely be battle-tested come tournament time.

Texas returns four starters from last year's Elite Eight squad and likely has the deepest frontcourt in Barnes' tenure. The one loss was a big one though, as D.J. Augustin decided to take the money and run, leaving the Horns without a proven point guard.

Will the Horns' tough non-conference schedule prove beneficial in preparing them for the Big 12, or will it just add to the loss column?

With plenty of marquee games, the Horns will be on the tube often. Here are the top 10 contests that will define the season.

10. Texas @ Oklahoma State, Feb. 28

The Horns have played some classics in Stillwater (see 3OT game two years ago), and new Cowboys' coach Travis Ford will be looking to make a statement. This game begins a crucial three-game ending to the season that will most likely decide if Texas wins the Big 12.

9. Texas vs. Villanova in New York, Dec. 9

Anytime you can play in Madison Square Garden, it is big. Barnes would love to have a recruiting presence in NYC, and this game can help spread the Texas brand.

8. Texas @ Wisconsin, Dec. 23

This is the type of hostile environment that championship teams have to be able to win in. This will be a big test, and the Horns would definitely like some revenge after Wisconsin won in Austin last season.

7. Texas @ Texas A&M, Feb. 16

Let's face it, the Aggies hate Texas. It makes their season to beat the Horns, and they have owned Texas in College Station lately. Texas hosts A&M in January, but if Texas can get a win on the road, it would reassert their dominance in the rivalry.

6. Maui Invitational, Nov. 24-26

Texas faces a loaded field in their first big test of the season. The Horns open with St. Joe's and could potentially face top 10 teams Notre Dame and North Carolina in the semis and finals, respectively. A 2-1 record would be considered an early success, and everyone will know how good this Horns team can be after three tough games in Hawaii.

5. Texas vs. Baylor, March 2

This is game number two in the Horns' brutal three-game final stretch. The Bears are an up and coming program looking to challenge the Horns for Texas supremacy. The Horns need to win at home if they want to win the Big 12. Texas visits Waco Jan. 27.

4. Texas vs. Michigan State in Houston, Dec. 20

The Horns and Spartans will technically play a "neutral" site game in Houston, but this is a big one for Texas. The Spartans won in Detroit last season, and this is one of those games that could be the difference between a two or a three seed in the tournament.

3. Texas vs. UCLA, Dec. 4

After winning in LA last season, the Horns welcome the Bruins to Austin and the Erwin Center. Texas crowds are usually laid-back until after football season, but the Horns will need raucous home support for this one.

The Bruins boast tremendous guards, so this will be a test for the trio of A.J. Abrams, Justin Mason, and Dogas Bulbay to handle the ball against preseason All-American Darren Collison.

2. Texas @ Kansas, March 7

This is the season finale against the defending champs, and the Horns and Jayhawks have developed a solid hoops rivalry. The young Kansas squad should be very strong by this point in the year, and the Big 12 title could be on the line in Lawrence.

1. Texas vs. Oklahoma, Jan. 12 in Norman and Feb. 21 in Austin

The Red River Rivalry will be just as intense on the hardwood as the gridiron this season. These are the consensus top two in the Big 12 entering the season, and both contests should be physical battles.

The Sooners have big man Blake Griffin, so the Horns' frontcourt will be the key. Connor Atchley, Damian James, Dexter Pittman, and a host of bench players give Texas a deep frontcourt. If the Horns' plethora of big men can slow down Griffin, Texas could end up as the Big 12 champs.