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March 1, 2009

Complete Notes

#25/24 TEXAS (19-9, 8-6 Big 12) vs. Baylor (17-11, 5-9 Big 12)
Monday, March 2, 2009 • 8 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,755) • Austin, Texas
 
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Ron Franklin (pxp), Fran Fraschilla (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) 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 www.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, 154-75. Last meeting: Texas 78-72 (Jan. 27, 2009; Waco).

Series vs. Baylor
Texas has faced Baylor more times (229 entering Monday) than any other opponent. In fact, UT's opening four games in the school's first year of basketball (1906) came against the Bears (Texas won all four). The only time Texas and Baylor did not meet since 1906 was in 1908, when the Longhorns did not field a team. The Horns have won 23 straight and 48 of the last 55 meetings between the two schools dating back to the 1982-83 season. UT owns an 83-26 lead in games played in Austin.

Perfect Against Baylor Under Barnes
Texas is a perfect 23-0 against Baylor in the Rick Barnes era entering Saturday's contest. Fifteen of the 23 wins have come by double-digit margins.

Lone Star State Dominance
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 92-10 (.902) record against in-state foes during the Barnes era, including marks of 23-0 against Baylor, 17-6 against Texas A&M and 21-3 against Texas Tech.

Senior Night
Monday's game marks the final home collegiate contest for a pair of Texas seniors, guard A.J. Abrams and forward/center Connor Atchley. There will be a short pregame ceremony beginning at 7:45 p.m. to honor Abrams and Atchley along with student athletic trainer Danny Oh. Abrams is a four-year letterwinner who has set UT career records for three-pointers made, games played and minutes played. Atchley is a fifth-year senior (redshirted as a freshman in 2004-05) who ranks third on the UT career blocked shots list. During the last four seasons, the Horns sport a 105-33 (.761) record entering Monday's contest. Texas has posted a 60-5 (.923) mark in games played at the Erwin Center, including a 28-3 (.903) record in Big 12 home games, in this time entering Monday's game.

Going for 20 Wins ... Again
With a victory on Monday in Austin, 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-Oklahoma State Game Notes
• Texas had its six-game winning streak against the Cowboys come to an end.
• The Horns posted a 45-42 advantage on the glass. This marked the 23rd time in 28 games this year that Texas had outrebounded its opponent.
• UT cut a 38-21 deficit with 17:07 left to 56-55 following a Damion James layup at the 4:35 mark (34-18 run over a stretch of 12:32 in the second half).
• Damion James (18 points, 18 rebounds) recorded his 14th double-double of the year and 35th of his career (101 games). He has five straight double-doubles and eight in his last 10 contests. James reached double digits in scoring for the 26th time this year and 64th time in his career. He reached double figures in rebounds for the 15th time this season and 45th time in his career. The 18 boards tied his career high.
• Dexter Pittman (12 points) reached double digits in points for the 10th time this year and the 13th time in his career (93 games).
• Harrison Smith set career highs in points (12), rebounds (five), field goals made (5-of-9), three-pointers made (2-of-5) and minutes played (17).
• Gary Johnson missed his second straight game with a left ankle injury.

James Moves Up Rebounding Charts
With his 18 boards Saturday, Damion James became just the fifth UT player to record at least 900 career rebounds. James has grabbed 910 rebounds in 101 career games (9.0 rpg). He set the single-season rebound mark (393) last year as a sophomore.

James Sees Double
Damion James enters Monday's game with a team-best 14 double-doubles through the first 28 games this year. James has recorded five consecutive double-doubles entering Monday's contest and is averaging 18.2 points and 12.8 rebounds per game while hitting 33-of-71 (.465) 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 the victory against Texas Tech (Feb. 25). James recorded 18 points and tied his career high with 18 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes in Saturday's loss at Oklahoma State.

Pittman Producing
Junior center Dexter Pittman ranks fourth on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg) and third in rebounding (4.6 rpg) in just 14.2 minutes per contest. He has converted a team-best 60.7% (88-of-145) field goals and 69-of-94 (.734) free throws. Pittman has reached double figures in scoring 10 times in the first 28 games after achieving the feat just three times in his first two seasons (65 games). He posted his third double-double this year with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes at Texas A&M (Feb. 16).

Smith Looking to Expand Backcourt Rotation
Junior guard Harrison Smith returns for his third season with the Longhorns. He dropped nearly 20 pounds (went from 213 to 195) during the offseason strength and conditioning program. Smith has seen action in eight games this season. He played 14 minutes and grabbed three rebounds during the game at No. 6/5 Oklahoma (Jan. 12). Smith had his best all-around performance of his career in Saturday's game at Oklahoma State, posting career highs in points (12), rebounds (five, four offensive), field goals made (5-of-9), three-pointers made (2-of-5) and minutes (17). He played in 12 games as a sophomore after seeing game action in eight contests as a freshman.