Feb. 17, 2011
Complete Notes 
#3/2 TEXAS (23-3, 11-0 Big 12) at Nebraska (17-8, 5-6 Big 12)
Saturday, February 19, 2011 • 12:45 pm (Central)
Devaney Sports Center (13,595) • Lincoln, Neb.
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised regionally by the Big 12 Network. Mitch Holthus (pxp) and Rich Zvosec (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
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 www.TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
SERIES: Texas leads, 16-5. Last meeting: Texas 91-51 (Feb. 13, 2010; Austin)
Quite a Start
Following its 73-55 home win against Oklahoma State on Wednesday, the Longhorns sport a 23-3 mark on the season. This marks the second time in program history (first in Rick Barnes era) that Texas has started the year with at least 23 wins in its first 26 contests. The 1946-47 Final Four squad went 25-1 to start the year.
Fast and Dominating Start in League Play
Texas sports an 11-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play entering Saturday's game at Nebraska.
• This marks the first time UT has opened league play with a 11-0 record since the Horns went 13-0 to begin Southwest Conference action in 1962-63.
• Ten of the 11 victories have been by double-digit margins.
• UT has not trailed in any of its six league home games and in eight of its 11 conference contests.
• Out of the 440 minutes played in Big 12 action, Texas has only trailed a combined 32:34 (and 29:20 of this total came in the win at Kansas).
• The previous best start by Texas in Big 12 action was 5-0 (accomplished in both 1998-99 and 2005-06).
Making History
Texas set a school mark for most consecutive Big 12 victories (11) with the win on Wednesday against Oklahoma State. Texas won 10 straight Big 12 games over a two-year span from Feb. 13, 2001 to Jan. 19, 2002.
Series vs. Nebraska
Saturday's contest marks the 22nd meeting between Texas and Nebraska. The Longhorns hold a 16-5 lead in the all-time series which dates back to Dec. 18, 1964 (a 77-73 Texas victory in Austin). UT is 10-2 against the Huskers during the Rick Barnes era entering Saturday's game. The teams have split the previous 10 meetings in Lincoln. Texas is 4-2 against Nebraska in Lincoln during the Barnes era.
Oklahoma State Game Notes
• The Horns tallied a 39-34 advantage on the glass. UT has outrebounded its opponent in 23 of its first 26 games.
• Texas has won 10 of the last 11 games against Oklahoma State. The Horns have won 15 of the last 17 contests against OSU in Austin.
• Gary Johnson (17 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his third double-double of the year and eighth of his career (114 games). He reached double figures in points for the 18th time this season and 54th time in his career. He reached double digits in rebounds for the fourth time this year and 10th time in his career.
• Jordan Hamilton (15 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 25th time this season and 43rd time in his career (60 games).
• Tristan Thompson (14 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 21st time this year.
• Cory Joseph (11 points) reached double figures in points for the 16th time this year.
Quick Starts in Last Six Games
UT brings a streak of 264:04 without trailing into Saturday's game at Nebraska. The last time the Horns trailed in a game was during the first half of the game at Oklahoma State on Jan. 26 (trailed 25-23 at the 4:04 mark of the first half). Much of the team's recent success can be credited to getting out to an early lead in each of the last six contests. UT has posted a +15.8 scoring margin (41.2-25.3) in the first half of its last six games.
Road Warriors and Streak-Busters
• Texas is 6-1 this season in true road games and 8-2 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 sports a 5-0 mark in Big 12 Conference road games this year.
• UT has won 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 have won 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).
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. UT has held its first 26 opponents to an average of 59.5 ppg on 36.5% FG shooting, including a 107-of-382 (.280) mark from three-point range. Texas has limited 18 of its first 26 foes this year to below 40% FG shooting (17-1 mark in those games) and four below 30% FG shooting. The Horns also have allowed just 212 assists against 353 turnovers through the first 26 contests. Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 213 of their 435 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 194-19 (.911) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Better Defense in Big 12 Play
UT has held its first 11 Big 12 Conference opponents to an average of 54.6 ppg on a combined 36.4% FG shooting, including a 35-of-147 (.238) mark from three-point range. Texas has held nine of its 11 league opponents below 40% FG shooting. The Horns have limited three of its 11 league foes to under 50 points and seven to under 60 points (high point total allowed was 63 at No. 2/2 Kansas). UT has held four of its 11 conference opponents to either zero or one 3-point field goal made and under 10% shooting from beyond the arc.
Cleaning the Glass
Texas has outrebounded its opponent in 23 of its first 26 games this season and sports a +7.1 rebound margin (41.0-33.9). The Horns own a +7.4 rebound margin (38.3-30.9) in Big 12 play and have outrebounded all 11 of their league foes this year.
Getting to the Line
In its first 11 conference games, Texas has averaged 26.1 free throw attempts per contest. UT's opponents have averaged just 15.6 free throw attempts per game. Texas has made more free throws (183) than its opponents have attempted (172) through the first 11 league games.
Hamilton's Solid Season
Jordan Hamilton has been a much improved all-around player during the 2010-11 season. Through the first 26 contests this year, Hamilton leads the team in scoring (18.7 ppg), double-doubles (six) and rebounding (7.6 rpg). He has converted 175-of-376 (.465) field goals, including 68-of-167 (.407) from three-point range, and 69-of-91 (.758) free throws. Hamilton has topped the 20-point mark in 11 of the first 26 games.
Johnson Sees Double
Gary Johnson posted his third double-double of the year and eighth of his career with 17 points (7-of-8 FG, 3-of-5 FT) and 10 rebounds in just 23 minutes during Wednesday's home win against Oklahoma State (Feb. 16).
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 26 collegiate games, Joseph leads the team in assists (2.8 apg), steals (29) and minutes played (32.2 mpg) and ranks fourth in scoring (11.0 ppg) and rebounding (3.9 rpg). Joseph has reached double figures in scoring in 16 of UT's first 26 games this year.
Thompson Not Playing Like a Freshman
Tristan Thompson has played beyond his years on both ends of the court. Through his first 26 collegiate contests, Thompson leads the team in blocks (59) and ranks second in scoring (12.8 ppg), rebounding (7.4 rpg), double-doubles (four) and steals (28). He has converted 119-of-225 (.529) field goals on the year. Nearly half (92) of his 192 total rebounds have come on the offensive glass.
Thompson's Block Party
Tristan Thompson leads the team in blocked shots (59) through the first 26 games this year. Thompson has posted at least two blocks in 20 of the first 26 contests. He has recorded 26 blocks in his last nine games (32.9 bpg) entering Saturday's contest.
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 278 assists against 114 turnovers (2.44-to-1 ratio) in 87 career games. Balbay has tallied 65 assists against just 25 turnovers in the first 26 contests this season (2.6-to-1 ratio).
Hill Earning Minutes
Matt Hill ranks second on the team in blocked shots (19) and fifth in rebounding (3.4 rpg) while playing 14.3 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).
