Feb. 3, 2011
Complete Notes 
#3/3 Texas (19-3, 7-0 Big 12) vs. Texas Tech (11-12, 3-5 Big 12)
Saturday, February 5, 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, 73-53. Last meeting: Texas 83-52 (Jan. 11, 2011; Lubbock)
Off and Running
Following its 69-49 win on Monday night at No. 16/16 Texas A&M, UT owns a 19-3 mark on the season. This marks the eighth time in program history (third in Rick Barnes era) that the Horns have started the year with at least 19 wins in their first 22 contests.
Fast and Dominating Start in League Play
Texas improved to 7-0 in Big 12 Conference play following its 69-49 win against No. 16/16 Texas A&M in College Station on Monday night.
• This marks the first time the Horns have started Big 12 play with a 7-0 record since the inception of the league (prior to 1996-97 season).
• This marks the first time UT has opened league play with a 7-0 record since the Horns went 9-0 to begin Southwest Conference action in 1977-78.
• This marks the first time the Horns have started league play with seven straight wins by 10 or more points since the 1921-22 season (nine straight to open SWC play).
• This marks the first time UT has won seven consecutive conference games by double-digit margins since 1993-94, when the Horns won eight straight (Jan. 15 to Feb. 15).
Series vs. Texas Tech
Saturday’s contest marks the 127th meeting between Texas and Texas Tech. The Longhorns hold a 73-53 lead in the all-time series which dates back to 1940. UT has won 42 of the last 52 meetings between the two schools dating back to the 1988-89 season. Texas is 28-4 against Texas Tech since the formation of the Big 12 Conference, including a 24-3 mark against the Red Raiders during the Rick Barnes era. The Horns posted an 83-52 victory in Lubbock earlier this year (Jan. 11).
Success Against Texas Tech in Austin
Texas holds a 41-21 advantage all-time against Texas Tech in games played in Austin. The Horns have won 14 straight games against the Red Raiders at the Erwin Center. Texas is 12-0 against Texas Tech in Austin during the Rick Barnes era entering Saturday’s contest.
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 107-15 (.877) record against in-state foes during the Barnes era, including marks of 24-4 against Baylor, 20-7 against Texas A&M and 24-3 against Texas Tech.
Texas A&M Game Notes
• The Longhorns held Texas A&M to 49 points and a team season low in FG percentage (.309). The Aggies entered the contest averaging 71.3 ppg on 44.9% FG shooting.
• Texas recorded its largest margin of victory at Reed Arena (20 points) since a 27-point win (78-51) on Jan. 12, 2000.
• UT held Texas A&M’s leading scorer Khris Middleton scoreless on 0-of-9 FG shooting in 24 minutes. Middleton entered the game averaging 15.7 ppg.
• The Horns tallied a 41-33 advantage on the glass. UT has outrebounded its opponent in 19 of its first 22 games.
• Texas’ first 14 field goals made were recorded by nine different players.
• Jordan Hamilton (20 points) topped the 20-point mark for the 10th time this year and 12th time in his career (56 games). He reached double digits in scoring for the 21st time this season and 39th time in his career.
• Cory Joseph (11 points) reached double digits in scoring for the 13th time this season.
• Tristan Thompson (10 points) reached double digits in scoring for the 17th time this season.
• Matt Hill set his career high in rebounds (eight) and tied his season high in minutes played (23).
• J’Covan Brown tied his career high in steals (three).
Impressive Five-Game Stretch
UT’s win on Monday at No. 16/16 Texas A&M concluded an impressive run by the Horns against top competition. The stretch included victories against No. 11/10 Texas A&M (81-60 on Jan. 19 in Austin), No. 2/2 Kansas (74-63 on Jan. 22 in Lawrence), Oklahoma State (61-46 on Jan. 26 in Stillwater), No. 11/13 Missouri (71-58 on Jan. 29 in Austin) and No. 16/16 Texas A&M (69-49 win on Jan. 31 in College Station).
• Texas faced four AP Top 25 opponents in a five-game stretch for the first time in school history.
• UT won all five contests by at least 11 points and posted an average margin of victory of +16.0 points per game (71.2-55.2).
• The Horns held their five opponents to an average of 55.2 ppg on 34.9% FG shooting, including an 18-of-74 (.243) mark from three-point range.
Road Warriors and Streak-Busters
• Texas is 5-1 this season in true road games and 7-2 in games played away from Austin.
• The Longhorns are 3-0 in true road games against AP Top 25 opponents with victories at No. 12 Michigan State (Dec. 22), No. 2 Kansas (Jan. 22) and No. 16 Texas A&M (Jan. 31). UT has defeated three AP Top 25 opponents in true road games in a single season for the first time in school history.
• Texas snapped Michigan State’s 52-game home win streak against non-conference foes with a 67-55 victory on Dec. 22. That streak dated back to a MSU loss to Duke on Dec. 3, 2003.
• UT’s 74-63 win at No. 2/2 Kansas (Jan. 22) snapped a 69-game home win streak by the Jayhawks. The streak (dating back to Feb. 3, 2007) was the longest active home winning streak in the nation and a Kansas school record.
Looking for 20 Wins … Again
With a win on Saturday night, the Longhorns would reach the 20-win mark for the 12th straight season. Texas has reached the 30-win plateau twice in the previous five years (31-7 record in 2007-08, 30-7 mark in 2005-06). UT’s current streak of 11 straight 20-win campaigns is a school record. Prior to the current streak, the previous school mark for most consecutive 20-win seasons was four (1988-89 to 1991-92). The Horns have reached the 20-win plateau in all but one of Rick Barnes’ seasons in Austin. The Horns posted a 19-13 mark in 1998-99 and won the Big 12 Conference title.
Building a Solid Resume
• UT is 6-2 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), No. 11 Missouri (home) and No. 16 Texas A&M (away).
• 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).
• Texas has posted four straight wins in games against AP Top 25 opponents for just the second time in school history (also accomplished in 2003-04).
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. UT has held its first 22 opponents to an average of 60.0 ppg on 36.4% FG shooting, including a 91-of-335 (.272) mark from three-point range. Texas has limited 15 of its first 22 foes this year to below 40% FG shooting (14-1 mark in those games) and four below 30% FG shooting. The Horns also have allowed just 179 assists against 298 turnovers through the first 22 contests. Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 210 of their 431 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 191-19 (.910) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Better Defense in Big 12 Play
UT has held its first seven Big 12 Conference opponents to an average of 53.4 ppg on a combined 36.0% FG shooting, including a 19-of-100 (.190) mark from three-point range. Texas has held six of its seven Big 12 opponents below 40% FG shooting. The Horns have limited three of its seven league foes to under 50 points (high point total allowed was 63 at No. 2/2 Kansas). UT has held four of its seven Big 12 opponents to either zero or one 3-point field goal made and under 10% shooting from beyond the arc.
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 22 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 (7.5 rpg). He has converted 150-of-319 (.470) field goals, including 57-of-136 (.419) from three-point range, and 62-of-82 (.756) free throws. Hamilton has topped the 20-point mark in 10 of the first 22 games.
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 22 collegiate games, Joseph leads the team in assists (2.9 apg), steals (24) and minutes played (32.6 mpg) and ranks fourth in scoring (11.2 ppg) and rebounding (4.0 rpg).
Joseph Taking Care of the Rock
Cory Joseph has done an excellent job of distributing the ball without making mistakes of late. In the last 12 games, Joseph has recorded 35 assists against 15 turnovers (2.3-to-1 ratio).
Thompson Not Playing Like a Freshman
Tristan Thompson has played beyond his years on both ends of the court. Through his first 22 collegiate contests, Thompson leads the team in blocks (49), is tied for the team lead in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and ranks second in scoring (12.8 ppg) and double-doubles (three) and tied for second in steals (23). He has converted 101-of-193 (.523) field goals on the year. Nearly half (82) of his 165 total rebounds have come on the offensive glass.
Balbay Solid with the Rock
Dogus Balbay currently ranks as the school’s career leader in assist-to-turnover ratio (min. 200 assists). He has recorded 269 assists against 110 turnovers (2.45-to-1 ratio) in 83 career games. Balbay has tallied 56 assists against just 21 turnovers in the first 22 contests this season (2.7-to-1 ratio).
Hill Earning Minutes
Matt Hill ranks second on the team in blocked shots (18) and fifth in rebounding (3.3 rpg) while playing 14.8 minutes per contest. Hill posted a career-high eight rebounds (four offensive), four points, one block and tied a season high in minutes (23) at No. 16/16 Texas A&M (Jan. 31).
Wangmene a Factor in the Frontcourt
Redshirt junior forward/center Alexis Wangmene has played in 93 career games off the bench during his career. In the first 22 contests this year, Wangmene is averaging 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds while playing 10.0 minutes per game and has converted 29-of-38 (.763) free throws on the season. He recorded five points, four boards and two blocks in 15 minutes at No. 16/16 Texas A&M (Jan. 31).
