Texas is a football school, and still is. However basketball took a share of the spotlight when head coach Rick Barnes was able to recruit the eventual Naismith National Player of the Year T.J. Ford. T.J. Ford led Texas basketball to their first final four in more than 30 years. Brad Buckman was a part of it as a freshman. Buckman contribute immediately as a freshman averaging 16 minutes, 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in his first year. His 6-8 frame made him the low post threat. After his strong freshman campaign, his sophomore year was a bit of a disappointment due to injury. I remember him as a passionate young and energetic player who loves playing for UT. He is an Austin native growing up as a Texas fan. His passion is the reason he became a fan favorite and a natural leader. Back in those days students were required to lineup three to even four hours before game time outside Erwin Center in order to secure a seat in the student section (called the O-Zone, a name given by Coach Barnes). Buckman and Royal Ivey showed up to greet us some time before the game and gave an high-five to everyone of us in the line. Throughout his career he was always the one seen raising his arm both on the court or on the bench to get the crowd excited in the game.

Paulino had limited role during his freshman year. Texas had plenty of depth in the backcourt with T.J. Ford, Royal Ivey, Brendon Mouton, and Sydmill Harris. Paulino averaged less than 6 minutes. He gave me an impression that he was out of control every time he was on the court. Although he occasionally made T.J. Ford looked bad during practice according to the Daily Texan, I wasn't too big of a fan. He was not prepared to play at his level as a freshman. He was simply unreliable as a point guard. In his second year, Paulino took up a reserve role behind Ivey and Mouton. He played around 15 minutes per game. He was still playing limited time, but showing tremendous improvement in his ball handling skills.

Buckman became the starter alongside Jason Klotz as a junior. He posted his best numbers as a junior averaging more than 25 minutes, 12.5 points, and 8.3 rebounds. Paulino developed as a parameter shooter in his third season. It was partly due to the emergence of freshman point guard Daniel Gibson. He moved to the two-guard position.The Texas basketball season ended early when they were upset as an 8th seed by the 9th seed Nevada in the first round of NCAA tournament.

Their senior season is when they both elevated their game to the highest level. Paulino became a reliable outside shooter, and took over the point guard job after back-to-back losses to Duke and Tennessee. His outside shooting and ball handling and poise was a huge contrast to himself as a freshman. It was somehow hard to believe that the Paulino I remembered as the shaky and out of control point guard became the Paulino as a senior. He improved so much during this four years I found it hard to believe. It was also a great thing to see a player who came in the program inexperience and lack of skills to become the team leader and mature player four years later. The last second shot he made against West Virginia in the sweet 16 capped off his memorable career.

Buckman was joined by LaMarcus Aldridge and P.J. Tucker to form one of the best front court in the country. Buckman wasn't the guy who led the team in scoring or rebounding. He was amazingly consistent throughout his four year career. He was always the cheerleader on the bench. He was always the guy who showed the most emotions on the court. He was always the guy that was involved in the hustle plays. He never took the spotlight and yet was contributing so much without anyone noticing. He was the dirty work player every good basketball must need one. He was such a good role player that I can't help but admire his work ethics.

Paulino and Buckman are the core players that carried Texas at 4 sweet 16's in 5 years. They may not be remembered as the guys who achieved landmark success (they were reserves to Ford, Ivey, Mouton, and James Thomas in the final four run in 2003), but they are the two players that witnessed the raise of this Texas basketball program from mediocre to dominant. They carried the torch from the T.J. Ford and the Ivey, Mouton, Thomas era to the Gibson, Aldridge, Tucker era. They are the key members of the start of a long success of Rick Barnes and the Texas basketball. 3.28.06