Many can attribute to his 18.5 points a game or his 9.3 rebounds a game this season as to why the Longhorns are 13-2, but junior forward P.J. Tucker has come to realize that there is much more to success that simply putting up high numbers.

After spending two and a half years on the Forty Acres, Tucker now understands the importance of leadership.

"I think it's important for a great team to have leaders," said Tucker. "I understand that, and I try to be one of those guys for our team."

After spending five or ten minutes in a team practice, you certainly notice that he's not only trying, but he's succeeding.

This season Tucker has undoubtedly been one of the guys his teammates look up to, and day in and day out they have become accustomed to seeing him go all out in a rebounding drill or maintaining his intensity in a scrimmage.

"I'm vocal and talk a lot," said Tucker. "But at the same time I try to be a guy that just doesn't talk but does the things to back it up. I try to be a person my teammates can come to when something important is going on in their lives and just be there for them."

Tucker, however, has not always understood what it took to be a leader. He had to learn that, and he attributes it to two things: Texas Ex Royal Ivey and having to watch his teammates from the sideline last season.

As a freshman Tucker had the privilege of playing alongside Ivey, now a member of the NBA Atlanta Hawks. He bonded quickly with the senior leader and the more he was around him, the more he learned.

"Roy was a guy you could count on day in and day out," said Tucker. "He brought it everyday in practice and in games. He always made sure that everything was good with you, not only on the court but off it, too. You have to be able to do that as a leader and Roy did that."

Now as an upperclassman, Tucker has taken over Ivey's role as the vocal leader on the team. And just as Ivey did, he makes it a point to bring it everyday.

Tucker continues to keep in touch with Ivey. Whether it be text messaging or conversations on the phone, he is always looking to soak up all he can from the former Longhorn.

While he learned what it took to lead from Ivey, it was his sophomore season that put everything in perspective.

He was ruled academically ineligible for the spring semester last season, forcing him to sit and watch as his team struggled.

"Last season was tough," said Tucker. "My team needed me, and I couldn't do anything. That kind of stuff really helps you put things in perspective and know what you have to do and how to do it. It makes you stronger."

Tucker has certainly proved he is a stronger man, player, and teammate, while playing this season with a newfound dedication to the hardwood.

"I don't think you can be a leader unless you fully understand what it takes to lose and sacrifice," said Tucker. "That situation helped me understand what I needed to do for myself and for the team."

Tucker is now doing what he needs to do for himself and for the team. While he has always put up the numbers on the court, he now understands that greatness comes from the ability to lead.

"All great teams have great leaders, guys that know how to get it done and guys that know how to push their teammates and help them get it done," said Tucker. "It's real important for us to have those kinds of leaders on our team, and I am trying and step up and be just that for Texas."