Jan. 30, 2011
Complete Notes 
#7/8 Texas (18-3, 6-0 Big 12) at #13/11 Texas A&M (17-3, 4-2 Big 12)
State Farm Lone Star Showdown
Monday, January 31, 2011 • 8 p.m. Central
Reed Arena (12,292) • College Station, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Brent Musburger (pxp), Bob Knight (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) 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, 133-85. Last meeting: Texas 81-60 (Jan. 19, 2011; Austin)
State Farm Lone Star Showdown
The 2010-11 academic season marks the seventh year of the State Farm Lone Star Showdown, the all-sports athletics competition between Texas and Texas A&M. UT has won four of the first six Showdowns. The Horns claimed the inaugural Showdown in 2004-05 by a 14.5-4.5 point margin, recorded a 14.0-5.0 victory in 2005-06 and posted a 10.5-8.5 win in 2006-07. The Aggies claimed a 10.5-8.5 victory in 2007-08 and the two schools tied (9.5-9.5) in 2008-09 (A&M retained the trophy based on outright win in 2007-08). UT recorded a 10.0-9.0 victory last year. Texas holds a 4.5-2.5 lead in points in this year's Showdown standings heading into Monday' contest in College Station. The winning school in Monday's game receives 0.5 point. In order to win the Showdown, a school must acquire 10.0 points during the year.
Series vs. Texas A&M
Monday's contest marks the 219th meeting between Texas and Texas A&M. UT owns a 133-85 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to Feb. 23, 1917 (a 38-16 Texas win in Austin). The Horns are 19-7 against the Aggies during the Rick Barnes era entering Monday's contest, including an 81-60 win earlier this month in Austin (Jan. 19). Since the beginning of the 1989-90 campaign, UT has won 38 of the last 47 meetings between the two schools. Texas A&M holds a 55-50 advantage in games played in College Station.
Lone Star State Success
Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, the Longhorns have emerged as the dominant college basketball program in the state of Texas. The Horns have posted a 106-15 (.876) record against in-state foes during the Barnes era, including marks of 24-4 against Baylor, 19-7 against Texas A&M and 24-3 against Texas Tech.
Missouri Game Notes
• The Longhorns held Missouri to team season lows in points (58), FG percentage (.339), 3-point FG percentage (.222) and assists (six). Missouri entered the game averaging 85.0 points per game on 47.5% FG shooting, including a 38.2% mark from three-point range, and 18.0 assists per contest.
• Texas tallied a 41-31 advantage on the glass. UT has outrebounded its opponent in 18 of its first 21 games.
• Jordan Hamilton (16 points, 13 rebounds) recorded his sixth double-double of the year and seventh of his career (55 games). He reached double digits in scoring for the 20th time this season and 38th time in his career. Hamilton reached double figures in rebounding for the sixth time this year and seventh time in his career. He also set a career high in rebounds and tied his season high in assists (five).
• Gary Johnson (15 points) reached double digits in scoring for the 14th time this year and 50th time in his career (109 games).
• Cory Joseph (13 points) reached double digits in scoring for the 12th time this season.
• Tristan Thompson (13 rebounds) reached double digits in rebounding for the fourth time this season.
• Dogus Balbay tied his season high in assists (five).
Fast Start in League Play
Texas improved to 6-0 in Big 12 Conference play following its 71-58 win against No. 11/13 Missouri in Austin on Saturday night. This marks the first time that the Horns have started league play with a 6-0 record since the inception of the Big 12 (prior to 1996-97 season) and the first time since UT went 6-0 to start Southwest Conference action in 1989-90. UT is looking to improve to 7-0 in league play for the first time since the Horns went 9-0 to begin SWC play in 1977-78.
Building a Solid Resume
UT is 5-2 this year against AP Top 25 opponents with wins against No. 13 Illinois (neutral-site), No. 12 Michigan State (away), No. 11 Texas A&M (home), No. 2 Kansas (away) and No. 11 Missouri (home). The two defeats were a two-point setback against No. 5 Pittsburgh (68-66) and a one-point overtime loss to No. 8 Connecticut (82-81).
Defense Wins
UT has held its first 21 opponents to an average of 60.5 ppg on 36.6% FG shooting, including a 90-of-323 (.279) mark from three-point range. Texas has limited 14 of its first 21 foes this year to below 40% FG shooting (13-1 mark in those games) and four below 30% FG shooting. The Horns also have allowed just 172 assists against 288 turnovers through the first 21 contests. UT has held its first six Big 12 Conference opponents to an average of 54.2 ppg on a combined 36.9% FG shooting, including an 18-of-88 (.205) mark from three-point range.
Getting to the Line
In its first six Big 12 Conference games, Texas has averaged 27.0 free throw attempts per contest and hit 106-of-162 (.654) from the stripe. UT's opponents have averaged just 14.8 free throw attempts per game and converted 57-of-89 (.640) from the line. Texas has made more free throws (106) than its opponents have attempted (89) through the first six Big 12 Conference games.
Hamilton Off to Solid Start
Sophomore swingman Jordan Hamilton has been a much improved all-around player to start the 2010-11 season. Through the first 21 contests this year, Hamilton leads the team in scoring (19.0 ppg) and double-doubles (six) and is tied for the team lead in rebounding (7.6 rpg). He has converted 143-of-305 (.469) field goals, including 56-of-132 (.424) from three-point range, and 57-of-76 (.750) free throws. Hamilton has topped the 20-point mark in nine of the first 21 games.
Johnson Reaches 1,000 Point Milestone
With his made field goal at the 6:15 mark of the first half during Saturday's win against No. 11/13 Missouri (Jan. 29), Gary Johnson surpassed the 1,000-point plateau. He currently has 1,010 points in 109 career games (9.3 ppg). Johnson is 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 21 collegiate games, Joseph leads the team in assists (2.9 apg), steals (24) and minutes played (32.5 mpg) and ranks fourth in scoring (11.2 ppg) and rebounding (4.0 rpg).
Thompson Not Playing Like a Freshman
Tristan Thompson has played beyond his years on both ends of the court. Through his first 21 collegiate contests, Thompson leads the team in blocks (46), is tied for the team lead in rebounding (7.6 rpg) and ranks second in scoring (12.9 ppg), double-doubles (three) and steals (23). He has converted 98-of-184 (.533) field goals on the year. Half (80) of his 160 total rebounds have come on the offensive glass.
Thompson's Block Party
Tristan Thompson leads the team in blocked shots (46) through the first 21 games this year. Thompson has posted at least two blocks in 15 of the first 21 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 13 blocks in his last four games entering Monday's contest at Texas A&M.
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