Optimists will always tell you that adversity breeds opportunity.

Well, the Texas Longhorns entered a new phase of adversity last Saturday, when they lost junior guard Dogus Balbay for the season. Balbay suffered a torn ACL in his left knee early in the game at Texas Tech.

The loss of Balbay, coupled with the early-season injury to Varez Ward, creates a huge hole in the backcourt. His ball management was solid, averaging a team-high 3.9 assists with a 2.5/1 assist to turnover ratio, and he was arguably the Longhorns’ best perimeter defender, third on the team in steals with 35.

But if the optimists are right, every unfortunate downfall presents a chance for other players to prove their worth. Who will step up? Jai Lucas lacks the size and quickness to run the point effectively on either side of the ball. Senior Justin Mason logged major minutes his first three seasons in Austin and will be called upon to do so again. But endurance could potentially hamper his ability to make decisive plays down the stretch.

For the Longhorns to make a deep run in the Big Dance, they’ll need to rely on the breakout of another freshman -- J’Covan Brown, Brown has been inconsistent at times in his young career, having a tendency to default to the physical skills that set him apart as an elite recruit out of Port Arthur, Texas. That needs to disappear.

Brown earned a start against Nebraska on February 13th and played 30 productive minutes. He was shaky in the next game against Missouri, and was limited to just five minutes in the win at Texas Tech. Wednesday at Oklahoma State, he was given another start but seemed too intent on impressing. To raise his all-around game, he must learn to play more within the system.

Often over-shadowed by fellow freshmen Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton, Brown has offered glimpses of his talent. His two highest point totals of the season came against big-name opponents, North Carolina (21) and Kansas (28). Brown has also shown some improvement at protecting the ball. In four of the first seven games of the season, he committed five or more turnovers. Since that span, he has had only one such game.

With a thinned backcourt, free throw proficiency could play a big role in Texas’ chances come March. Brown shoots over 90 percent from the charity stripe, ranking third in the nation. This makes it much easier to put the ball in his hands in tight, late-game situations.

Balbay’s empty shoes by no means call for a Superstar size fitting. He averaged just 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. Texas has plenty of guys to fill the box score. What the Longhorns require is a steady presence to manage the ball and defend the point, avoiding the point guard by committee situation. Brown allows them to have their most talented line-up on the floor.

Adversity was lingering around Texas even before Balbay’s injury. Heading into the game at Texas Tech, the Longhorns had lost four of six. Key home games loom against Oklahoma, and on the road at Texas A&M and Baylor. These will provide a test for the Longhorns, leading into the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.

Can Brown answer the bell? Spring is the perfect season for a young point guard to have his day in the sun.