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Feb. 27, 2009

Complete notes

#25/24 TEXAS (19-8, 8-5 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (18-9, 7-6 Big 12)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 • 5 p.m. Central
Gallagher-Iba Arena (13,611) • Stillwater, Okla.
 
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION:  The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. 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, 40-34. Last meeting: Texas 99-74 (Feb. 10, 2009; Austin).

Series vs. Oklahoma State
Saturday's contest marks the 75th meeting between Texas and Oklahoma State. UT leads the all-time series by a 40-34 margin, which dates back to a 33-9 Texas win in Austin on Feb. 8, 1918. The Longhorns have won six straight and 25 of the last 35 meetings between the two schools dating back to the 1976-77 season. Texas is 5-5 against OSU in games played in Stillwater during the Rick Barnes era entering Saturday's contest.

Going for 20 Wins ... Again
With a victory on Saturday in Stillwater, the Longhorns would reach the 20-win mark for the 10th consecutive season. Texas has reached the 30-win plateau in two of the last three years (31-7 in 2007-08 and 30-7 in 2005-06). UT's current streak of nine 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).

Texas-Texas Tech Game Notes
• Texas improved to 25-4 against Texas Tech since the formation of the Big 12 Conference, including a 21-3 mark against the Red Raiders during the Rick Barnes era.
• The Longhorns improved to 11-0 at home against Texas Tech in the Barnes era.
• UT recorded team season highs in free throws made (31) and attempted (43).
• The Horns posted a 39-29 advantage on the glass. This marked the 22nd time in 27 games this year that Texas had outrebounded its opponent.
• Texas registered a 44-22 advantage in points in the paint and a 24-15 edge in second-chance points.
• A.J. Abrams (24 points) reached the 20-point mark for the 12th time this year and 35th time in his career (136 games). Abrams has topped the 20-point mark in four of the last five games. He reached double figures in scoring for the 20th time this season and 88th time in his career.
• Damion James (20 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his 13th double-double of the year and 34th of his career (100 games). He has four straight double-doubles and seven in his last nine contests. James reached the 20-point mark in scoring for the fourth time this season and ninth time in his career. He reached double digits in scoring for the 25th time this year and 63rd time in his career. He reached double figures in rebounds for the 14th time this season and 44th time in his career.
• Damion James set a career high in free throws made (12-of-15). He also had a season high in blocks (three).
• Dogus Balbay (11 points) reached double digits in points for the third time this year. He posted a career high in scoring.
• Clint Chapman tied his career high in points (seven) and field goals made (3-of-6). He set career highs in steals (two) and minutes played (22).
• Gary Johnson missed the game with a left ankle injury.

Improving Offense
Beginning with UT's home game against Oklahoma State on Feb. 10, Dogus Balbay was inserted into the starting lineup at the point guard spot. Since this change was made, Texas has been a much improved and more efficient team at the offensive end of the court. The Longhorns have a 4-1 record since the lineup switch was made.

Abrams on a Roll
A.J. Abrams has been on an offensive tear during the last five games entering Saturday's contest in Stillwater. Abrams has topped the 20-point mark in four of the last five games and has averaged a team-best 20.6 points per game while converting 19-of-43 (.442) three-pointers in this stretch. The streak began with a 20-point outing in the home win against Oklahoma State (Feb. 10). He added 29 points in the overtime win at Colorado (Feb. 14) and 23 in the home upset of No. 2/2 Oklahoma (Feb. 21). Abrams tallied a game-high 24 points in Wednesday's victory against Texas Tech.

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 fifth place on the school's career points list (1,857 points). Abrams also enters Saturday's game in eighth place on the Big 12 Conference career scoring list.

Abrams Sets UT Career Minutes Mark
A.J. Abrams has emerged as one of the most durable players in UT history. While playing all 40 minutes during Wednesday's win against Texas Tech, he set the school record for most career minutes played. Abrams enters Saturday's contest having played 4,367 minutes in 136 career games (32.1 mpg). He is averaging 37.5 minutes per game in his senior season. The previous mark for career minutes played was 4,352 by Terrence Rencher (1992-95). Abrams has played every minute in 13 of Texas' 27 games to this point in the year. He has played every minute in four straight contests entering Saturday's game, including all 45 minutes during the overtime win at Colorado (Feb. 14).

James Sees Double
Damion James enters Saturday's game with a team-best 13 double-doubles through the first 27 games this year. James has recorded four consecutive double-doubles entering Saturday's contest and is averaging 18.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while hitting 26-of-52 (.500) field goals during this stretch. He tallied 21 points (9-of-14 FG) and 14 rebounds during the overtime win at Colorado (Feb. 14). James had 16 points and 11 rebounds at Texas A&M (Feb. 16) and added with 16 points and 10 boards in 25 minutes against No. 2/2 Oklahoma (Feb. 21). He returned to post 20 points and 11 boards (16 points and 10 rebounds alone in the second half) during Wednesday's victory against Texas Tech.

Balbay Impressive in Starting Role
Dogus Balbay has made the most of his first five career starts. In the five games, Balbay has averaged 8.0 points per contest while recording 33 assists against just nine turnovers. During the home win against Oklahoma State (Feb. 10), he posted 10 points (5-of-9 FG), seven assists against just one turnover and two steals in 33 minutes. Balbay returned to post six points and seven assists against just one turnover in a career-high 37 minutes at Colorado (Feb. 14). He had three points and five assists at Texas A&M (Feb. 16), before his near triple-double in the win against No. 2/2 Oklahoma (Feb. 21). During Wednesday's home victory against Texas Tech, Balbay tallied a career-high 11 points (4-of-5 FG), four rebounds (all offensive) and five assists in 32 minutes.

Balbay Better in Big 12 Play
In his first collegiate season, Dogus Balbay has been much more productive and efficient since the start of Big 12 Conference play. During UT's first 13 league contests, Balbay has posted 53 assists against just 15 turnovers (a 3.5-to-1 ratio). He also has averaged 5.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg while hitting 28-of-48 (.583) field goals in 23.9 minutes per contest.