Jan. 28, 2011
Complete Notes 
#7/8 Texas (17-3, 5-0 Big 12) at #11/13 Missouri (17-3, 3-2 Big 12)
Saturday, January 29, 2011 • 8 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,734) • Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU. Dan McLaughlin (pxp) and Sean Farnham (analyst) will call the action.
RADIO: The Longhorn Sports Network and KVET (FM 98.1/1300 AM Sportsradio The Zone) broadcast every UT game on the statewide network and on XM Satellite Radio Ch. 231. Craig Way (pxp) and Eddie Oran (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
SERIES: Texas leads, 11-10. Last meeting: Missouri 82-77 (Feb. 17, 2010; Columbia)
Series vs. Missouri
Saturday’s contest marks the 22nd meeting between Texas and Missouri. UT holds a slim 11-10 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to a 65-46 Texas victory on Dec. 26, 1946 (an opening-round contest at the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City). The Horns are 9-4 against the Tigers during the Rick Barnes era. UT holds a 5-3 advantage in games played in Austin in the all-time series entering Saturday’s contest.
Horns at Home
Texas is in its 34th year of play in the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns have registered an all-time record of 402-94 (.810) in the building. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, UT has recorded a 177-23 (.885) mark at the Erwin Center, including an 83-15 (.847) record in Big 12 Conference home games. Texas is 87-8 (.916) at the Erwin Center in the last six seasons (dating to the start of the 2005-06 season).
Home Success Against The AP Top 25
UT owns a 28-11 (.718) mark against AP Top 25 opponents under Rick Barnes at the Erwin Center. Texas is 1-1 this year at home against AP Top 25 foes. The Horns posted an 81-60 win against No. 11 Texas A&M (Jan. 19) and dropped an 82-81 overtime decision to No. 8 Connecticut (Jan. 8).
Oklahoma State Game Notes
• Texas defeated OSU for the ninth time in the last 10 games and 12th time in the last 15 meetings.
• The 15-point margin (61-46) marked the largest margin of victory by Texas in a game at Oklahoma State since a 90-73 victory on Feb. 8, 1997.
• The Longhorns held Oklahoma State to a season-low 46 points on 32.1% FG shooting, including a 1-of-11 (.091) mark from three-point range. UT limited the Cowboys to just 19 points on 26.1% FG shooting (6-of-23) in the second half.
• Texas tallied a 34-33 advantage on the glass. UT has outrebounded its opponent in 17 of its first 20 games.
• Jordan Hamilton (12 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his fifth double-double of the year and sixth of his career (54 games). He reached double digits in scoring for the 19th time this season and 37th time in his career. Hamilton reached double figures in rebounding for the fifth time this year and sixth time in his career. He also tied his career high in rebounds.
• Tristan Thompson (14 points) reached double digits in scoring for the 16th time this season.
• Dogus Balbay (10 points) reached double figures in scoring for the second time this year and seventh time in his career (81 games).
Fast Start in League Play
Texas improved to 5-0 in Big 12 Conference play following its 61-46 win in Stillwater on Wednesday. This marks the third time in the Rick Barnes era that the Longhorns have opened league play with five consecutive victories (also accomplished in 1998-99 and 2005-06). In both of those previous seasons, Texas went on to claim the Big 12 regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. UT is looking to improve to 6-0 in Big 12 play for the first time since the start of the league (1996-97 season).
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. UT has held its first 20 opponents to an average of 60.7 ppg on 36.7% FG shooting, including an 86-of-305 (.282) mark from three-point range. Texas has limited 13 of its first 20 foes this year to below 40% FG shooting (12-1 mark in those games) and four below 30% FG shooting. UT has held its first five Big 12 Conference opponents to an average of 53.4 ppg on a combined 37.5% FG shooting, including a 14-of-70 (.200) mark from three-point range.
Hamilton Likes the Big 12
Jordan Hamilton is off to an excellent start in league play. In his first five Big 12 games, Hamilton has averaged a team-best 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest. He has converted 51.7% (30-of-58) from the floor, including a 12-of-25 (.480) mark from three-point range, and hit 17-of-20 (.850) free throws.
Johnson Nears 1,000 Point Milestone
Gary Johnson enters Saturday’s game just five points shy of reaching the 1,000-point plateau in his collegiate career. He has recorded 995 points in 108 career games (9.2 ppg). Johnson will become the 31st player in UT history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
Joseph Doing a Little Bit of Everything
Cory Joseph has been called the team’s “most complete guard” by coach Rick Barnes. Through his first 20 collegiate games, Joseph leads the team in assists (3.0 apg) and minutes played (32.2 mpg) and ranks third in steals (21) and fourth in scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.2 rpg).
Thompson Not Playing Like a Freshman
Tristan Thompson has played beyond his years on both ends of the court. Through his first 20 collegiate contests, Thompson leads the team in blocks (45) and steals (23), is tied for the team lead in rebounding (7.4 rpg) and ranks second in both scoring (13.1 ppg) and double-doubles (three). He has converted 95-of-177 (.537) field goals on the year. In his first five Big 12 Conference games, he is averaging 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest while hitting 58.0% (29-of-50) from the floor.
Thompson’s Block Party
Tristan Thompson leads the team in blocked shots (45) through the first 20 games this year. Thompson has posted at least two blocks in 15 of the first 20 contests. He recorded a career-high five blocks in the overtime win against No. 13/16 Illinois (Nov. 18). Thompson added four blocks against No. 11/10 Texas A&M (Jan. 19) and tied his career high with five blocked shots at No. 2/2 Kansas (Jan. 22). He has recorded 12 blocks in his last three games entering Saturday’s contest against Missouri.
Balbay Excels on Both Ends in Stillwater
Dogus Balbay was solid on both ends of the court in leading Texas to its 61-46 win at Oklahoma State on Wednesday. He posted 10 points (3-of-5 FG, 4-of-6 FT), five rebounds, four assists without a turnover and two steals in 30 minutes. Balbay also held Oklahoma State guard Keiton Page (entered the game averaging 13.8 ppg) scoreless on 0-of-7 FG shooting (0-of-5 threes).
