Feb. 7, 2011
Complete Notes 
#3/3 Texas (20-3, 8-0 Big 12) at Oklahoma (12-10, 4-4 Big 12)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 • 8 pm (Central)
Lloyd Noble Center (12,000) • Norman, Oklahoma
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Mark Jones (pxp) and Bryndon Manzer (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: Oklahoma leads, 47-30. Last meeting: Texas 66-46 (Jan. 15, 2011; Austin)
Off and Running
Following its 76-60 win on Saturday against Texas Tech, UT sports a 20-3 mark on the season. This marks the seventh time in program history (second in Rick Barnes era) that the Horns have started the year with at least 20 wins in their first 23 contests.
Fast and Dominating Start in League Play
Texas improved to 8-0 in Big 12 Conference play following its 76-60 win against Texas Tech in Austin on Saturday.
• This marks the first time the Horns have started Big 12 play with an 8-0 record since the inception of the league (prior to 1996-97 season).
• This marks the first time UT has opened league play with an 8-0 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 eight 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 eight consecutive league games by double-digit margins since 1993-94, when the Horns won eight straight in the SWC (Jan. 15 to Feb. 15).
Series vs. Oklahoma
Wednesday's contest marks the 78th meeting between Texas and Oklahoma. The Sooners hold a 47-30 lead in the all-time series that dates back to a 59-26 OU victory in Norman on Feb. 25, 1910. The Horns have won nine of the last 11 contests and are 14-5 against the Sooners in the last 19 meetings (dating back to the start of the 2002-03 season). Oklahoma sports a 23-9 lead in games played in Norman.
Texas Tech Game Notes
• The Longhorns held Texas Tech to 38.2% FG shooting. UT has now limited seven of its eight Big 12 opponents to under 40% FG shooting.
• UT held Texas Tech's leading scorer Mike Singletary to four points on 1-of-3 FG shooting in 22 minutes. Singletary entered the game averaging 14.2 ppg.
• The Horns tallied a 35-32 advantage on the glass. UT has outrebounded its opponent in 20 of its first 23 games.
• Jordan Hamilton (16 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 22nd time this season and 40th time in his career (57 games).
• Gary Johnson (16 points) reached double figures in points for the 15th time this year and 51st time in his career.
• Tristan Thompson (11 points) reached double digits in scoring for the 18th time this season.
• J'Covan Brown (10 points) reached double figures in points for the ninth time this year and 24th time in his career (56 games).
Horns Reach 20-Win Mark ... Again
With its victory against Texas Tech on Saturday, the Longhorns reached the 20-win mark for the 12th straight year. 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 12 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.
Fastest to 20 Wins
Texas reached the 20-win mark on the earliest calendar date (Feb. 5) in school history this year with the victory against Texas Tech. Prior to this season, the earliest calendar date the Horns had reached the 20-win plateau was on Feb. 6, when UT also went 20-3 to start the 2005-06 season.
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.
Conference Road Success
Texas enters Wednesday's contest at Oklahoma with a 4-0 mark in Big 12 Conference road games this year.
• UT will be looking to win five consecutive league road games for the first time since it won six straight at the end of the 2002-03 season and start of the 2003-04 season (at Texas Tech and No. 5 Oklahoma in 2002-03; at Missouri, No. 13 Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor in 2003-04).
• The Horns will be looking to win five straight conference road games in one season for the first time since 1998-99 (at Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Baylor).
Better Defense in Big 12 Play
UT has held its first eight Big 12 Conference opponents to an average of 54.2 ppg on a combined 36.3% FG shooting, including a 24-of-111 (.216) mark from three-point range. Texas has held seven of its eight Big 12 opponents below 40% FG shooting. The Horns have limited three of its eight league foes to under 50 points (high point total allowed was 63 at No. 2/2 Kansas). UT has held four of its eight 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 23 contests this year, Hamilton leads the team in scoring (18.9 ppg), double-doubles (six) and rebounding (7.6 rpg). He has converted 156-of-333 (.468) field goals, including 61-of-144 (.424) from three-point range, and 62-of-82 (.756) free throws. Hamilton has topped the 20-point mark in 10 of the first 23 games.
Johnson Grabs Leadership Role
Senior forward Gary Johnson is in his fourth season in the frontcourt rotation, having played in 111 career games (40 starts). Through the first 23 contests this year, Johnson is third on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). Johnson added 15 points and nine rebounds against No. 11/13 Missouri (Jan. 29) and a game-high 16 points against Texas Tech (Feb. 5). Johnson has posted double-figure scoring numbers in 15 of UT's first 23 games this year.
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 23 collegiate games, Joseph leads the team in assists (2.9 apg), steals (26) and minutes played (32.3 mpg) and ranks fourth in scoring (11.0 ppg) and rebounding (3.9 rpg).
Thompson Not Playing Like a Freshman
Tristan Thompson has played beyond his years on both ends of the court. Through his first 23 collegiate contests, Thompson leads the team in blocks (52) and ranks second in scoring (12.7 ppg), rebounding (7.4 rpg) and double-doubles (three) and third in steals (23). He has converted 106-of-202 (.525) field goals on the year. Nearly half (84) of his 170 total rebounds have come on the offensive glass.
Thompson's Block Party
Tristan Thompson leads the team in blocked shots (52) through the first 23 games this year. Thompson has posted at least two blocks in 17 of the first 23 contests. He has recorded 19 blocks in his last six games entering Wednesday's contest at Oklahoma.
Hill Earning Minutes
Matt Hill ranks second on the team in blocked shots (18) and fifth in rebounding (3.4 rpg) while playing 14.7 minutes per contest. Hill had five points and added four rebounds in 22 minutes at No. 12/12 Michigan State (Dec. 22). He recorded six rebounds in a season-high 23 minutes against No. 8/9 Connecticut (Jan. 8). 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). He had a season-high six points and six boards in 11 minutes against Texas Tech (Feb. 5).
