AUSTIN, Texas -- For the 2007-08 University of Texas men's basketball team, the grades are in. And they are impressive.
The Longhorns' basketball team posted a team grade point average of 3.29 during the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters, school officials announced Wednesday. Twelve of UT's 14 roster players achieved at least a 3.0 GPA in the Fall 2007 semester, and 12 players also recorded at least a 3.0 GPA in the Spring 2008 semester.
"Obviously, we are extremely pleased with the effort of our guys in the classroom and on the court this past year," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "When you consider that our regular-season schedule affects both academic semesters and how much class time was missed during our team's play in the Big 12 Conference and NCAA Tournaments, the results speak to the determination of all of our players and to the work of Dr. Randa Ryan and her staff.
"I've said for a long time that our first job is to stress the importance of an education," Barnes continued. "And because of Randa Ryan and her staff and the total package they provide for our players, there is no question we have the best academic setup in the country."
Individually, six Longhorns earned a spot on the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 Conference men's basketball team announced in early March. UT's six selections marked the most of any school in the conference. Junior Connor Atchley and sophomores D.J. Augustin, Damion James and Dexter Pittman were each named to the First Team, while sophomore Justin Mason and senior Ian Mooney were selected to the Second Team.
In addition, Augustin was one of five players named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division men's basketball first team in late February. He became just the second men's basketball player at Texas to earn Academic All-America honors. Augustin posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in both the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters.
On the court, Texas concluded the 2007-08 season with a school-record 31 victories (31-7 mark), claimed the Big 12 Conference regular-season title and advanced to the "Elite Eight" of the NCAA Tournament.
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