1/16/05

Men's Basketball Preview: Oklahoma State

	Complete Version
	Live Audio
	The Longhorn Sports Network and KVET (FM 98.1/1300 AM Sportsradio The Zone) broadcast every UT game on the statewide network. Craig Way (pxp) and Eddie Oran (color) will call the action. Check www.TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game. In addition, Westwood One Radio will carry the game nationally. Chuck Cooperstein (pxp) and Larry Conley (color) have the call. Click here for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
	The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Dan Shulman (pxp), Dick Vitale (color) and Doris Burke (reporter) will have the call.
	Live Stats

No. 10 Texas (13-3, 2-1 Big 12) vs.
No. 6 Oklahoma State (13-1, 3-0 Big 12)
Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 • 8 pm Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,755) • Austin, Texas

Series vs. Oklahoma State
Monday's contest marks the 64th meeting between Texas and Oklahoma State. OSU holds a 32-31 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to Feb. 8, 1918 (a 33-9 Texas win in Austin). Although the Cowboys have won four straight contests in the series entering Monday's game, Texas still holds a 12-8 edge since the formation of the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns have won 16 of the last 24 meetings from Oklahoma State dating back to the 1976-77 season.

Against the Cowboys in Austin
The Horns have posted a 17-11 mark against Oklahoma State in games played in Austin. In fact, Texas has won eight of the last 10 contests against the Cowboys in Austin and is 7-2 all-time versus Oklahoma State in the Erwin Center.

A Check of the Polls
Texas is ranked No. 10 in the most recent Associated Press poll (released Jan. 10) and No. 9 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll (released Jan. 10). Texas has now been ranked among the AP Top 25 for 48 consecutive weeks (a school record). During the Barnes era, Texas has spent 76 weeks ranked in the AP poll's Top 25, including 25 in the Top 10.

Success Against the Top 25
Texas has made a habit of beating the best during the Rick Barnes era. Last year, the Longhorns posted an 8-5 mark against AP Top 25 opponents. That set a school single-season record for most victories against ranked opponents. During his seven seasons in Austin, Barnes has registered a school-record 27 career victories against AP Top 25 opponents (previous mark: 10 by Tom Penders, 1989-98). Barnes has guided the Horns to a 27-32 (.458) record against ranked teams. Overall in his 18 years of coaching, Barnes has posted 57 victories over AP Top 25 opponents.

Horns at Home
Texas is in its 28th year of play in the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns have posted an all-time record of 310-84 (.787) in the building. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, UT has recorded an 85-13 (.867) mark at the Erwin Center, including a 41-8 (.837) record in Big 12 Conference home games. Texas is 15-7 under Barnes vs. AP Top 25 teams at the Erwin Center. The Horns have won 14 straight and 39 of their last 40 home games entering Monday's contest. UT is 9-0 in home games this season and has posted an average margin of victory of+23.1 ppg during those nine contests.

"Big Monday" Home Cooking
Texas has been a tough team to beat on Monday evenings when ESPN's cameras have broadcast games from the Erwin Center. In fact, the Horns hold an 8-1 mark in ESPN "Big Monday" home contests entering Monday's game vs. Oklahoma State. Five of the eight victories have come against AP Top 25 opposition. Here's a game-by-game look at UT's success on "Big Monday" in Austin:

Nebraska Game Notes
Texas has now won 14 of its last 15 games following a loss and is 22-5 in contests following a defeat, dating back to the start of the 2001-02 season.
UT improved to 6-1 against Nebraska during the Rick Barnes era.
The Horns improved to 34-16 (.680) in Big 12 Conference regular season road games during the Rick Barnes era. This is tied (with Kansas) for the best league record in road games during this span.
Texas committed a season-low eight turnovers.
UT posted a 25-7 advantage in bench scoring.
Texas recorded its biggest comeback of the season (11 points). UT trailed Nebraska 11-0 at the 15:03 mark of the first half.
The Horns failed to win the rebounding battle (42-38 edge for Nebraska) for just the third time in their first 16 games.
LaMarcus Aldridge reached double digits in scoring (10 points) for the third straight game and the ninth time this season.
Sydmill Harris reached double figures in scoring (11 points) for the first time since he recorded 10 points at Seton Hall on Dec. 4 (span of 10 games).

In Elite Company
By virtue of advancing to their third consecutive NCAA "Sweet 16" last season, the Longhorns are in some elite company. Texas is one of just five schools (joining Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Pittsburgh) that have advanced to the "Sweet 16" in each of the last three seasons.

The One and Only
The Longhorns have been a consistent force in the Big 12 Conference during the Rick Barnes era. In fact, Texas has finished in at least a tie for third place in the league's final regular-season standings in all six seasons during Barnes' tenure. By finishing in a tie for second place in the league last year, Texas is the ONLY school in the Big 12 to have finished among the top three teams in the final regular-season standings in each of the last six seasons (1st in 1998-99; 2nd in 1999-2000; tie 2nd in 2000-01; tie 3rd in 2001-02; 2nd in 2002-03; tie 2nd in 2003-04).

Success in the Big 12 under Barnes
Since Rick Barnes took over the Texas program, the Horns have shot to the top of the Big 12 Conference. Texas has posted a 75-24 (.758) mark in league games over the last seven years, the second-best record in the league during this span. After winning the Big 12 Conference regular season title in his first season at UT with a 13-3 mark, Barnes guided the Horns to a 13-3 conference record (2nd place) in 1999-2000, a 12-4 mark (tie for 2nd place) in 2000-01, a 10-6 record (tie for 3rd place) in 2001-02, a 13-3 mark (2nd place) in 2002-03 and a 12-4 record (tie for 2nd place) last season.

One for the Thumb, Plus One
With a bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, the Longhorns accomplshed something never before done in school history — making their sixth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to the Rick Barnes era, UT's previous mark for consecutive NCAA Tournament bids was four, set in 1989-92 and 1994-97.

Looking for 20 …
Again Last season, Texas reached the 20-win plateau for the fifth straight year and 20th overall time in school history. In the process, the Horns set a school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons (previous: 4, 1988-89 to 1991-92).

Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. The Horns have limited their first 16 opponents to 67.2 ppg and a combined 39.1% FG shooting, including a 32.1% mark from three-point range. Texas held Nebraska to 30.5% FG shooting during Saturday's win in Lincoln. UT has held nine of its first 16 opponents to below 40% FG shooting this year (8-1 mark in those games). Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 100 of their 215 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 90-10 mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.

Cleaning the Glass
Texas appears to have another solid rebounding club this year. UT has posted at least a +15 rebound margin in seven of its first 16 games this year: +16 (41-25) against Texas State, +15 (43-28) against Chaminade, +17 (44-27) against Tennessee, +15 (47-32) against Coppin State, +15 (37-22) against Centenary, +16 (47-31) against UT-San Antonio and +21 (38-17) against Baylor. In their first 16 contests, the Horns have registered a +9.1 rebound margin (41.6-32.5). Last year, UT recorded a +6.8 rebound margin (41.1-34.3) and led the Big 12 and ranked 11th nationally in rebound margin. In 2002-03, UT tied for sixth nationally in rebound margin (+6.9).

Offensive Efficiency
Through the first 16 games, Texas is averaging 83.4 ppg while hitting 48.2% from the floor. UT has reached the 80-point plateau in 11 of its first 16 contests and topped the 90-point mark in four games. The Horns hit 62.7% (37-of-59) from the floor in the win against Centenary (Dec. 22), marking the highest single-game FG percentage mark in the Rick Barnes era. The Longhorns reached the 100-point plateau for the first time this season and converted 50% from the floor in the victory against UT-San Antonio (Dec. 29). Texas hit 51.8% from the floor, including 66.7% (12-of-18) in the second half, in the win against UNLV (Jan. 2). UT also converted 54.7% from the field against Baylor (Jan. 9).

Long-Range Success
Texas has been successful from beyond the three-point arc this year. The Horns have converted 135-of-330 (.409) three-pointers in their first 16 games. Texas hit 16-of-28 (.571) threes during the Nov. 29th win against Coppin State, just two shy of the school single-game record (18-of-31 vs. Kansas State; Jan. 12, 1997). UT has reached double digits in three-pointers made in seven of its first 16 contests (13-of-22 vs. Texas State; 10-of-23 vs. Chaminade; 11-of-21 vs. Iowa; 10-of-25 vs. Tennessee; 16-of-28 vs. Coppin State; 10-of-24 at Wake Forest; 11-of-25 vs. Baylor). Texas boasts three players who are shooting above 44% from three-point range: Kenton Paulino (.542, 26-of-48), Brad Buckman (.522, 12-of-23) and Sydmill Harris (.442, 23-of-52).

Balanced Attack
It has not taken long to showcase the depth of this year's team. UT has had at least five players in double-digit scoring in seven of its 16 games this year, including two (Texas State and Tennessee) when six Texas players registered double figures in points. Five UT players are averaging double-figure scoring and a sixth (LaMarcus Aldridge) is at 9.9 ppg entering Monday's game against Oklahoma State.

Tucker Named to Wooden Award List
Sophomore forward P.J. Tucker was named one of the top 50 preseason candidates for the 2004-05 John R. Wooden All-American Team on Aug. 6. The top 50 candidates were selected based on last year's individual performance and team records. Tucker is one of six sophomores selected to the prestigious list, joining Sean Banks (Memphis), Andrew Bogut (Utah), Chris Paul (Wake Forest), Leon Powe (California) and Charlie Villanueva (UConn).

Tucker Leading By Example
P.J. Tucker is off to a solid start this season. Tucker leads the team in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg), double-doubles (five) and minutes (29.8 mpg). He has led the team or tied for the team lead in rebounding in nine of UT's first 16 contests. Tucker also has led the team in scoring in eight of his first 16 games.

Tucker By the Honors
P.J. Tucker was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Co-Player of the Week on Jan. 3 for his efforts in the wins against UT-San Antonio (Dec. 29) and UNLV (Jan. 2). He shared the honor with Kansas' Keith Lanford. It marked the second time this year that Tucker has earned the award. Tucker has now been honored with one of the league's weekly accolades a total of six times in his career, as he earned four Rookie of the Week honors last year. Tucker averaged 23.0 ppg and 11.0 rpg while hitting 15-of-28 (.536) FG and 16-of-22 (.727) FT during the week. He also earned Player of the Week accolades on Dec. 20, averaging 22.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg while hitting 17-of-27 (.630) FG against UT-Arlington (Dec. 15) and at No. 6 Wake Forest (Dec. 18).

Klotz Keeps Improving
Senior center Jason Klotz is picking up where he left off at the end of last season, when he reached double figures in scoring in six of his last nine games to conclude the year. Klotz ranks fifth on the squad in scoring (10.2 ppg) and is fourth on the team in rebounding (5.0 rpg) while hitting 48.9% (66-of-135) from the floor this season. He also ranks third on the team in blocks (21). Klotz has reached double figures in scoring 11 times this year, tied for tops on the squad.3

Klotz's Block Party
Jason Klotz recorded a career-high seven blocked shots during the victory against UT-San Antonio (Dec. 29). Entering the contest, his previous career best was four rejections at UNLV (Dec. 22, 2001). The seven blocks were just one shy of the UT single-game record (8, shared by Chris Mihm at UMass, Feb. 5, 2000; Chris Owens vs. California, Nov. 15, 2000). Klotz became the second Texas player this season to record seven blocks in a game, joining Brad Buckman who accomplished the feat against North Texas (Dec. 7).

Klotz Twice as Nice
Jason Klotz posted the first two double-doubles of his collegiate career earlier this season. He recorded his first double-double (in his 105th collegiate game) with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the win against Tennessee (Nov. 24). Klotz returned in the following game against Coppin State (Nov. 29) and posted 11 points and 10 boards.

Taylor Made
Senior guard Kenny Taylor is off to a solid start to the season. Taylor, who has started the first 16 games at shooting guard, ranks in a tie for third on the team in scoring (11.3 ppg) and ranks in a tie for second in minutes (28.8 mpg) while hitting 36-of-98 (.367) from three-point range. Taylor averaged 14.3 ppg during the three games at the Maui Invitational. He recorded 16 points (4-of-8 threes) and a career-best five assists in a career-high 35 minutes during the win against Tennessee (Nov. 24). Taylor has reached double figures in scoring in 10 of UT's first 16 contests.

Taylor's Career Night
Kenny Taylor had his best performance in a Texas uniform during the Dec. 22nd win against Centenary. Taylor set his UT career high and tied his collegiate high in points (23). He scored 23 points twice during his sophomore year at Baylor (vs. North Texas and at Missouri). Taylor also established UT career highs in field goals made (10-of-13) and steals (four) against Centenary.

Buckman Showing Improvement
Junior forward Brad Buckman, a third-year starter at power forward, has played in 81 of a possible 82 games (making 67 starts) during his time in Austin. Through the first 16 games this season, Buckman ranks in a tie for third on the team in scoring (11.3 ppg), second in rebounding (6.3 rpg) and leads the squad in blocks (28). He has reached double digits in scoring 11 times (tied for tops on the team), after posting five double-figure scoring efforts in 32 games last year. Buckman posted his fifth career double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) and first since Jan. 10, 2004 (16 points, 10 boards vs. Baylor) during the loss to Iowa (Nov. 23) at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. He tied his career high in points (18) on 7-of-11 FG and added a career-best seven blocks, seven boards, two assists and two steals in 21 minutes against North Texas (Dec. 7). Buckman recorded 17 points (15 in the first half) and set a career high in three-pointers made (3-of-3) during the loss at No. 6 Wake Forest (Dec. 18).

Buckman Extends His Range
Brad Buckman has added a new weapon to his offensive game this season … the three-point shot. After converting just 4-of-15 (.267) threes during his first two years at Texas, Buckman is hitting 52.2% (12-of-23) from beyond the arc this season. He has connected on eight of his last 12 three-pointers in his last nine games entering Monday's contest.

Sydmill's Story
Senior guard Sydmill Harris arrived on campus three years ago simply as a three-point shooting specialist, but he has matured into an all-around player in his fourth season with the Horns. The first European-born (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) basketball player in UT history, he has seen action in 109 of a possible 116 career games. Harris recorded 11 points in 24 minutes off the bench in Saturday's win at Nebraska, marking the first time he has reached double figures in scoring since Dec. 4 (at Seton Hall) - a span of 10 games. It marked the fourth time this season that Harris has reached double figures in scoring, after posting just four double-figure scoring contests all of last year (in 30 games). Harris is averaging 6.8 ppg while converting 44.2% (23-of-52) from three-point range this year. He missed three games (UNLV, Memphis and Baylor) due to a groin injury.

Paulino Continues Impressive Start
Junior guard Kenton Paulino has been solid during the first 16 games this year. Paulino is averaging 7.6 ppg while hitting a team-best 54.2% (26-of-48) from three-point range. He has reached double figures in scoring in four of UT's first 16 contests. Paulino set a career high in assists (six) during the loss at No. 6 Wake Forest (Dec. 18) and tied that total at Texas A&M (Jan. 12).

Paulino's Big Day
Kenton Paulino had his most productive outing in a Texas uniform during the Jan. 9th win against Baylor. Paulino set career highs in points (17), three-point field goals made (5-of-6), steals (three) and minutes (26). He also tied his career high in field goals made (5-of-7).

Freshman Duo Make Immediate Impact
The highly-touted duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Daniel Gibson have not taken long to burst onto the college scene. Both Aldridge and Gibson cracked the starting lineup in the season opener, marking the first time since 1986 that a pair of freshmen have started in a season opener for Texas (Travis Mays & George Muller vs. N.C. State; Great Alaska Shootout; Nov. 28, 1986). Aldridge is averaging 9.9 ppg (sixth on the team) and 5.9 rpg (third on the team) while hitting a team-best 66.3% (57-of-86) from the floor. He also ranks second on the team in blocks (24). Gibson ranks second on the squad in scoring (12.1 ppg) and leads the team in assists (4.3 apg) and steals (27) while converting 35-of-98 (.357) three-pointers.

Gibson Tabbed Big 12 Rookie of the Week
Daniel Gibson was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week on Monday (Jan. 10). It marked the first time he has garnered one of the league's weekly honors. Gibson averaged 17.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 3.0 apg while hitting 10-of-22 (.455) FG, including 7-of-16 (.438) threes. He recorded 17 points, including a 3-pointer with 4:09 left that broke a 63-63 tie, during the win against Memphis, then returned to post a team-high 18 points, six boards and four assists against Baylor.

Aldridge Steps Up His Play
LaMarcus Aldridge has been a different player in his first three Big 12 Conference games. Aldridge leads the team in scoring (12.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 rpg) while hitting 13-of-16 (.813) field goals and 12-of-14 (.857) free throws in Big 12 play. Here's a quick comparison at how Aldridge fared in UT's 13 non-conference contests compared to his first three league games.

Aldridge Sees Double
LaMarcus Aldridge registered the best performance of his collegiate career during the Jan. 9th win against Baylor. Aldridge had his first double-double with 16 points (5-of-6 FG, 6-of-7 FT) and a career-high 11 rebounds in a career-best 33 minutes. Aldridge became the fifth UT player to record a double-double this year.

Williams Becomes a Factor
After missing the first five games of the year due to an NCAA eligibility issue, freshman forward Mike Williams has become a factor in UT's frontcourt rotation. He posted his first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 10 boards in 20 minutes against Centenary (Dec. 22). Williams returned to record seven points and five boards against UT-San Antonio (Dec. 29). Williams is averaging 3.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 11.8 mpg while hitting 48.5% (16-of-33) from the floor.

Three-Point Streak
The last time Texas did not convert a three-pointer in a contest came on Dec. 18, 1990, in an 87-84 overtime victory at UC-Santa Barbara. The Horns were 0-of-2 from beyond the arc on that day. The Longhorns enter Monday's game having hit at least one 3-pointer in 460 consecutive games. In fact, UT has converted at least one three in 586 of 593 games since the trey was introduced prior to the 1986-87 season. The Horns have failed to attempt at least one 3-pointer just one time in school history (Feb. 24, 1988; at TCU, 69-55 win).

Barnes in Year Seven
Head coach Rick Barnes is in his seventh season at Texas and sports a 154-61 (.716) mark with the Horns. He has compiled a 356-195 (.646) record in 18 years as a head coach at George Mason, Providence, Clemson and Texas. Along the way, he has guided his teams to a total of 12 NCAA (current streak of nine consecutive) and three NIT appearances.

Horns Ink Two in Early Signing Period
Two high school hoop standouts from the state of Texas signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball next season at Texas on Nov. 10. A.J. Abrams (Round Rock, Texas) and C.J. Miles (Dallas, Texas) will join the Horns for the 2005-06 season.
Abrams (5-10, 145), a guard from McNeil HS who plays under coach Darrell Haggemann, is ranked as the third-best high school prospect in the state of Texas according to Mike Kunstadt's Texas Hoops. Abrams averaged 26.3 points, 8.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game as a junior.
Miles (6-6, 205), a swingman from Skyline HS who plays under coach J.D. Mayo, is ranked as the top player in the state of Texas according to Mike Kunstadt's Texas Hoops. He averaged 23.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in his junior season while earning first-team TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) all-state honors.