Coach Discusses Morenos Decision Game
Edgar Moreno, a strong and athletic 6-3, 195 pound point guard from Lon Morris J.C. in Jacksonville, Tex., committed to the University of Texas on Monday after taking a weekend visit to Austin.
Rivalshoops.com confirmed with Lon Morris Asst. Coach Rick Dotson that Moreno committed to the Longhorn program shortly after his Nov. 8-10 trip. He previously visited Texas El Paso in October (18-20), just before Head Coach Jason Rabodeaux stepped down from his head coaching position.
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South Carolina, Washington State and East Carolina also came in to take a look at Moreno this fall.
"They got in and started recruiting him, and he liked them before he even went down there," Dotson explained. "The visit kind of solidified everything."
A native of Colombia, Moreno was a key cog in the Bearcats' run to the NJCAA Tournament in the 2001-2002 campaign. He's an explosive athlete who is very well built. He did a competent job of running a high octane squad last winter, averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Moreno shot 51 percent from the floor, 32 percent from beyond the three point arc, and 67 percent on his free throws last season for Lon Morris.
The Longhorns are bringing in Moreno with the idea of using him at both guard positions. His place in the program could take on added importance if incumbent Texas sophomore point guard T.J. Ford declares for the NBA Draft in the spring.
"They're unsure what he will do, but they told Edgar that if T.J. is back, that he will play a lot of minutes," Dotson said. "He will play at both guard spots, and if T.J. is there, he'll back up him at the point and get time at the two."
"And if T.J. decides to go, he will move into the point spot," Dotson continued. "I think they feel like they have room for him regardless of what happens."
Rivalshoops.com had a chance to watch Moreno play four times last season as a freshman. We were impressed by both his toughness and athleticism, although he'll need to continue working on his long distance shot this winter.
"The biggest thing about him is that he has great strength and is an exceptional athlete," Dotson said. "He has great size for a point guard, and the way Texas plays, he fits in really well with what they do, because he can defend and he's a really good all-around player."
"He shoots it well, handles it well, and makes really good decisions," Dotson continued. "The one thing that he could probably improve is his consistency shooting the ball from behind the arc. He's such a good athlete that he can slash and get to the basket well, and he has a good midrange game."
The Bearcats have gotten off to a flying start in 2002-2003, opening the season 3-0. Moreno has played a healthy role in that success, as he's racked up 20 assists against four turnovers in those three games while tossing in 15 points per contest.
Dotson said that Moreno is expected to graduate from Lon Morris in the spring, so he should be able to enroll for summer school classes at Texas in 2003.
During previous summers, Moreno has moonlighted for the Colombian national team. He didn't play for them this past summer because he was rehabbing from a torn meniscus.
He played at the NJCAA Tournament last March despite the injury, where the Bearcats were eliminated by Moberly (MO) Area C.C. in a heartbreaking defeat. He had surgery on the knee after the season, and is now playing at 100 percent capacity this fall.
Moreno will sign his national letter of intent on Wednesday at noon along with Lon Morris teammates Aaron Curtis (Texas Christian University) and Diego Romero (Florida State).