March 4, 2010
Complete Notes 
#NR/25 TEXAS (23-7, 9-6 Big 12) vs. #21/22 Baylor (23-6, 10-5 Big 12)
Saturday, March 6, 2010 • 3 p.m. (Central)
Ferrell Center (10,284) • Waco, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Ron Franklin (pxp) and Bob Valvano (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 www.TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
SERIES: Texas leads, 155-77. Last meeting: Baylor 80-77 ot (Jan. 30, 2010; Austin).
Series vs. Baylor
Texas has faced Baylor more times (232 entering Saturday) 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 49 of the last 58 meetings between the two schools dating back to the 1982-83 season.
Success Against Baylor Under Barnes
Texas is 24-2 against Baylor in the Rick Barnes era entering Saturday’s contest. Sixteen of the 24 wins have come by double-digit margins. The Horns had a 24-game win against the Bears snapped with a 76-70 loss in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship semifinal game last year (March 13, 2009).
Success Against Baylor in Waco
Texas holds a 63-45 advantage all-time against Baylor in games played in Waco. The Horns are 11-0 against Baylor in Waco during the Rick Barnes era. Seven of the 11 wins have come by double-digit margins.
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 100-13 (.885) record against in-state foes during the Barnes era, including marks of 24-2 against Baylor, 18-7 against Texas A&M and 23-3 against Texas Tech.
Texas-Oklahoma Game Notes
• Texas has won eight of the last 10 games and 13 of the last 18 meetings against Oklahoma. The Horns also have won five consecutive home games against the Sooners.
• UT concluded its home schedule with a 15-2 mark and is now 76-7 at home in the last five years.
• The senior trio of Damion James, Justin Mason and Dexter Pittman concluded their careers with a four-year home record of 60-6 (.909), including a 27-5 (.844) mark in Big 12 play.
• Texas set a school single-season attendance record this year. The Horns drew a total of 248,697 fans in 17 games this season (14,629 average which ranked second in UT history). This topped the previous season record of 248,673 set in 2007-08 (18 games).
• The 13-point comeback (trailed 23-10 at the 11:57 mark of the first half) matched the biggest come-from-behind victory of the season (trailed 33-20 in the first half against Texas A&M on Jan. 16).
• The Horns posted a +17 rebound margin (38-21). Texas has outrebounded its opponent in 22 of 30 games (19-3 mark), including 12 games by double-digit margins.
• Texas recorded a 41-3 advantage in bench scoring.
• UT had five players in double-figure scoring for the second time in Big 12 play this year (Nebraska on Feb. 13).
• Damion James (24 points) topped the 20-point mark for the 14th time this year and 24th time in his career (138 games). He reached double figures in scoring for the 27th time this season and 96th time in his career.
• Jordan Hamilton (12 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his first career double-double. His 11 rebounds marked a career high. Hamilton reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time in the last six games and 16th time this year.
• J’Covan Brown (15 points, five assists) reached double figures in scoring for the 14th time this year. He recorded at least five assists for the third time this season. Brown set a career high in minutes (33).
• Gary Johnson (14 points, eight rebounds) reached double figures in scoring for the 13th time this year and 34th time in his career (84 games). He has grabbed at least eight boards in six of the last nine games.
• Dexter Pittman (14 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 15th time this year and 32nd time in his career (130 games). He tied his career high in steals (two) and tied his season high in assists (two).
Not a Bad 15 Minutes
Texas trailed Oklahoma on Monday night by a 51-40 margin at the 15:36 mark of the second half following a pair of Tony Crocker free throws. From that point on, the Horns outscored the Sooners by a 47-25 margin. Texas hit 15-of-23 (.652) field goals and 16-of-19 (.842) free throws during this final 15:36. The Horns held Oklahoma to 7-of-19 (.368) FG shooting during the span. UT also posted a 20-4 advantage on the glass in the decisive stretch.
Inside the Numbers: Final 15:35 of Texas/Oklahoma on Monday
Texas Stat Oklahoma
47 Points 25
65.2 (15-23) FG% (FG-A) 36.8 (7-19)
84.2 (16-19) FT% (FT-A) 69.2 (9-13)
20 Rebounds 4
Consistent Success in the Big 12
Texas has reached the 10-win mark in Big 12 Conference play a total of nine times in the previous 11 seasons under Rick Barnes. Texas posted 9-7 conference marks in 2004-05 and 2008-09. The Horns have recorded at least nine wins in each of Barnes’ first 11 seasons in Austin. UT has recorded at least 13 conference victories in five of Barnes’ previous 11 seasons in Austin (13-3 in 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2002-03, 2005-06 and 2007-08).
Improving at the Line
Texas has made major strides in its free throw shooting of late. During their last two games entering Saturday’s contest in Waco, the Longhorns have converted 35-of-43 (.814) free throws. Texas converted 12-of-15 (.800) from the stripe at No. 22/23 Texas A&M (Feb. 27). The Horns returned to hit 23-of-28 (.821) at the line during Monday’s win against Oklahoma.
James Getting Better by the Year
Senior guard/forward Damion James is a four-year starter who has played in all 138 games (136 starts), James is off to a solid start in his senior year, leading the team in scoring (17.7 ppg) and rebounding (10.3 rpg) while converting 186-of-365 (.510) field goals, including 30-of-74 (.417) from three-point range. He has recorded a team-best 15 double-doubles in the first 30 games. James also ranks second on the team in blocks (34) and leads the squad in steals (49).
Pittman Returns to Form
Dexter Pittman had his best offensive performance in Big 12 play this year during the home win against Oklahoma State (Feb. 24). Pittman had 16 points (5-of-5 FG), eight boards and three blocks in 20 minutes. He had 11 points and seven rebounds in 13 minutes of work during the decisive second half. Pittman returned to record 14 points (5-of-8 FG, 4-of-4 FT), six boards, two assists, two steals and one block in 25 minutes during Monday’s win against Oklahoma.
Johnson Continues to Spark Frontcourt
In the first 30 games this season, junior forward Gary Johnson is averaging 8.9 points (sixth on the team) and 5.4 rebounds (third on the team) while converting 95-of-175 (.543) field goals in 22.6 minutes per game. He has reached double figures in scoring in 13 games this year. In Big 12 play, Johnson has upped his production to 10.2 points (third on team) and 6.5 rebounds (second on team) in 26.5 minutes per contest.
Johnson Better on the Boards
Gary Johnson has been a much improved rebounder in the last few weeks. In his last nine games, Johnson has averaged 7.4 rebounds per contest. He grabbed 10 boards at Oklahoma State (Feb. 1) and at Oklahoma (Feb. 6). Johnson also posted eight rebounds against No. 1/1 Kansas (Feb. 8), nine against Nebraska (Feb. 13) and eight in Monday’s win against Oklahoma (March 1).
Hamilton Finds the Range
Jordan Hamilton has reached double figures in scoring in five of the last six games entering Saturday’s contest. During the six-game stretch, Hamilton has averaged 13.0 points and 6.2 rebounds game while converting 29-of-58 (.500) field goals, including a 12-of-29 (.414) mark from three-point range, in 24.2 minutes per game off the bench.
Hamilton Sees Double Against the Sooners
Jordan Hamilton recorded his first collegiate double-double with his 12 points (5-of-7 FG, 2-of-3 threes) and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes of work during Monday’s home win against Oklahoma. All 11 boards came at the defensive end of the court. His previous career high in rebounds was seven (three times) entering the contest against the Sooners.
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