Feb. 2, 2009
Complete notes 
#16/17 TEXAS (15-5, 4-2 Big 12) vs. MISSOURI (18-4, 5-2 Big 12)
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 • 8:30 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,755) • Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Ron Franklin (pxp) and Fran Fraschilla (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.
INTERNET AUDIO: Listen to Texas Basketball games on subscription-based Yahoo! Sports College Broadcast.
SERIES: Texas leads, 11-8. Last meeting: Missouri 97-84 (Jan. 12, 2008; Columbia).
Series vs. Missouri
Wednesday's contest marks the 20th meeting between Texas and Missouri. UT holds an 11-8 edge in the all-time series which dates back to a 65-46 Texas victory on Dec. 26, 1946, in an opening-round contest at the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City. The Horns are 10-4 against the Tigers since the formation of the Big 12 Conference. Texas holds a 5-2 advantage in games played in Austin.
Success Against Mizzou Under Barnes
Texas is 9-2 against the Tigers in the Rick Barnes era entering Wednesday's contest. This streak includes four straight wins by the Horns in Austin.
A Check of the Polls
Texas is ranked No. 16 in the latest Associated Press poll (Feb. 2) and No. 17 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll (Feb. 2). UT has now been ranked in The AP Top 25 for 37 consecutive weeks (dating back to the poll on Feb. 19, 2007) and in the ESPN/USA Today poll for 39 straight weeks (Feb. 19, 2007). During the Barnes era, the Horns have spent 140 weeks in The AP Top 25, including 60 in the Top 10.
Texas-Kansas State Game Notes
• UT had its 19-game home winning streak snapped. The streak dated back to a 67-66 loss to Wisconsin on Dec. 29, 2007.
• The Horns had their 14-game win streak in Big 12 Conference home games come to an end. The streak dated back to a 73-72 loss to Kansas State on Feb. 3, 2007.
• Texas fell to 37-41 all-time in overtime contests. The Horns are now 16-20 all-time in home overtime games, including a 9-11 mark in overtime contests at the Erwin Center.
• UT held K-State to 38.2 FG shooting (26-of-68) on the afternoon. Texas has limited 13 of its first 20 opponents to below 40% FG shooting this year (11-2 record in those games).
• Texas rallied from a 17-point deficit (63-46) at the 7:01 mark of the second half to force overtime. The Horns outscored K-State by a 28-11 margin over the final 7:01 of regulation.
• Damion James (19 points, 12 rebounds) recorded his eighth double-double of the season and the 29th of his career (93 games). He reached double figures in points for the 19th time this year and 57th time in his career. James reached double digits in rebounds for the eighth time this year and the 38th time in his career. He also set a career high in minutes played (39).
• Gary Johnson (16 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 13th time this season and 17th time in his career (42 games). Johnson set career highs in free throws made (8-of-13) and minutes played (36).
• A.J. Abrams (15 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 14th time this year and 82nd time in his career (129 games).
• A.J. Abrams set the Big 12 career record for most 3-point field goals made with his first three of the game at the 13:13 mark of the first half. Abrams currently has 342 career threes.
• Justin Mason (12 points) reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time this year and the 27th time in his career (93 games). He also tied his career high in assists (nine).
Abrams Sets Big 12 Career Triples Mark
A.J. Abrams became the all-time leader in career three-point field goals made in Big 12 Conference history during Saturday's game against Kansas State. With his first 3-pointer of the game at the 13:13 mark of the first half, Abrams made his 339th career three-pointer. This topped the previous mark of 338, set by Jeff Boschee of Kansas (1999-2002). Abrams enters Wednesday's game with 342 career triples in 129 games.
Abrams Climbs UT, Big 12 Career Scoring Lists
A.J. Abrams continues his steady climb up the UT career scoring chart. He currently sits in sixth place on the school's career points list (1,727 points). Abrams also enters Wednesday's game in 14th place on the Big 12 Conference career scoring list.
Abrams Steals the Show
Known more for his production on the offensive end of the court, A.J. Abrams has matured into a solid technical defender. Abrams enters Wednesday's game in ninth place on the school's career steals list (157).
Abrams by the Minutes
A.J. Abrams has emerged as one of the most durable players in UT history. Abrams topped the 4,000-minute mark in his collegiate playing career during the win against Texas A&M (Jan. 24). He enters Wednesday's contest having played 4,093 minutes in 129 career games (31.7 mpg). Abrams is averaging 37.0 minutes per game in his senior season. The school record for career minutes played is 4,352 by Terrence Rencher (1992-95).
James Putting Up Numbers
Damion James has registered some impressive performances during UT's last three games entering Wednesday's contest. During these last three contests, James has averaged 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He had a season-best 28 points (one shy of his career high) and seven boards while hitting 11-of-21 FG and 5-of-7 FT in 36 minutes against Texas A&M (Jan. 24). James followed with 14 points and 12 rebounds at Baylor (Jan. 27), before posting 19 points and 12 rebounds in a career-high 39 minutes against Kansas State.
James Joins 1,000-Point Club
Damion James became the 30th player in UT history to reach the 1,000-point milestone during the game at No. 6/5 Oklahoma on Jan. 12. James joined the club with his three-pointer at the 11:15 mark of the second half. He currently ranks in 25th place on the school's all-time scoring list entering Wednesday's contest with 1,080 points in 93 career games (11.6 ppg).
James Joins 800-Rebound Club
With his 12-rebound effort in the win at Baylor (Jan. 27), Damion James became the seventh UT player to record at least 800 career rebounds. James has grabbed 818 rebounds in 93 career games (8.8 rpg). He set the single-season rebound mark (393) last year as a sophomore.
James Sees Double
Damion James enters Wednesday's game with back-to-back and a team-best eight double-doubles through the first 20 games this year. He had 14 points and 12 rebounds during the win at Baylor (Jan. 27), before posting 19 points and 12 boards against Kansas State on Saturday. In the last 10 games, James has averaged a team-high 17.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds (four offensive) against No. 19/22 Michigan State (Dec. 20). James returned to post 18 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in the win at Wisconsin (Dec. 23). He had 11 points and 12 rebounds against No. 8/8 Notre Dame (Nov. 25). James posted 21 points and 12 rebounds against Oregon (Nov. 26). He added 13 points and a game-high 13 boards against No. 12/9 UCLA (Dec. 4).
Ward Making Improvements
Varez Ward has put together back-to-back solid performances heading into Wednesday's game. In these last two contests, Ward has averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game while hitting 11-of-13 (.846) free throws. During the win at Baylor (Jan. 27), he tallied eight points (6-of-6 FT), four rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes. Ward followed with nine points (5-of-7 FT) and four rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench against Kansas State.
