March 11, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format 
#10/10 TEXAS (26-6, 13-3 Big 12) vs. nr/#21 Texas A&M (24-7, 10-6 Big 12)
Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship Semifinals
Friday, March 11, 2011 • approx. 8:30 pm (Central)
Sprint Center (18,758) • Kansas City, Missouri
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised regionally by the Big 12 Network. Brent Musburger (pxp), Bob Knight (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) will call the action. Check www.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, 134-85. Last meeting: Texas 69-49 (Jan. 31, 2011; College Station)
Texas in Conference Tournaments
Texas now holds a 40-33 (.548) all-time record in league tourney games, including a 19-14 (.576) mark in its 15 trips to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. In 13 appearances during the Rick Barnes era, UT has posted a 17-12 (.586) mark at the Phillips Big 12 Championship.
Familiar Territory in the Semis
The Horns have now reached at least the semifinal round in 11 of their first 15 appearances in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. Texas has advanced to the semifinals in 10 of its first 13 trips under Rick Barnes. UT has posted a 5-5 mark in Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship semifinal games. The Horns have won four of their last five Big 12 Championship semifinal contests entering Friday's game.
Looking for a Trip to the Finals ... Again
With a win in Friday's semifinal, Texas would advance to the title game of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship for the fifth time in the last eight years (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011). Texas has reached the finals of its conference tournament 10 times in the last 20 years, including five times in the Southwest Conference (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996) and five times in the Big 12 (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008). UT has claimed two league postseason tournament titles, both coming during its time in the SWC (1994 and 1995).
Series vs. Texas A&M
Friday's contest marks the 220th meeting between Texas and Texas A&M. UT owns a 134-85 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to Feb. 23, 1917 (a 38-16 Texas win in Austin). The Horns are 20-7 against the Aggies during the Rick Barnes era entering Friday's contest, including a two-game sweep during the regular season. Texas posted an 81-60 win in Austin (Jan. 19) and followed with a 69-49 victory in College Station (Jan. 31). Since the beginning of the 1989-90 campaign, UT has won 39 of the last 48 meetings between the two schools. In the 2006 semifinals (Dallas), Texas recorded a 74-70 victory in the only meeting between the two schools at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.
Oklahoma Game Notes
• Texas held the Sooners to 54 points on 40.4% FG shooting, including a 3-of-13 (.231) mark from behind the arc.
• In three games this year against Oklahoma, the Longhorns held the Sooners to an average of 50.7 ppg and a combined 9-of-41 (.219) shooting from three-point range
• UT recorded a 39-23 advantage in rebounds, including a 14-3 edge on the offensive glass. It marked the 27th time in 32 games that the Horns had outrebounded its opponent.
• Jordan Hamilton (22 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his seventh double-double this year and eighth of his career (66 games). He topped the 20-point mark for the 14th time this season and 16th time in his career. Hamilton reached double figures in scoring for the 31st time this season and 49th time in his career. He reached double digits in rebounding for the seventh time this year and eighth time in his career.
• Tristan Thompson (13 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his eighth double-double this year. He reached double figures in points for the 26th time this year. Thompson reached double digits in rebounding for the ninth time this season.
• J'Covan Brown (11 points) reached double figures in points for the 14th time this year and 29th time in his career (65 games).
Solid Season
Following its 74-54 win against Oklahoma on Thursday in the quarterfinal round, the Horns sport a 26-6 mark on the season. This marks the fourth time in program history (all coming in the Rick Barnes era) that UT has started the year with at least 26 wins in its first 32 contests. The 2007-08 Elite Eight team and the 2005-06 Elite Eight squad both posted 27-5 marks through the first 32 games. The 2002-03 Final Four team boasted a 26-6 mark through the first 32 contests.
Success Against Texas A&M This Year
Texas posted a two-game sweep of the Aggies this year for the first time since the 2003-04 season. The Longhorns recorded an average margin of victory of +20.5 ppg in the two games. Defense proved to be a huge key in both victories. Texas held A&M to an average of 54.5 points per game on a combined 36.1% FG shooting (39-of-108), including a 7-of-26 (.269) mark from three-point range. UT did not trail in either contest during the regular season.
Hamilton's Solid Season
Through the first 32 contests this year, sophomore Jordan Hamilton leads the team in scoring (18.6 ppg) and ranks second in rebounding (7.7 rpg) and double-doubles (seven). He has converted 212-of-483 (.439) field goals, including 84-of-211 (.398) from three-point range, and 88-of-112 (.786) free throws. Hamilton has topped the 20-point mark in 14 of the first 32 games. He posted a game-high 22 points (9-of-18 FG) and 10 rebounds during Thursday's win against Oklahoma.
Thompson on a Roll
Over the last five games entering Friday's contest, Tristan Thompson has averaged a team-best 18.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per contest while converting 34-of-55 (.618) field goals. He began the stretch with 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks against Iowa State (Feb. 22). Thompson added 16 points and eight rebounds at Colorado (Feb. 26) and posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks against Kansas State (Feb. 28). He had 19 points, 13 rebounds (nine offensive) and three blocks at Baylor (March 5). Thompson recorded 13 points (5-of-8 FG), 11 rebounds and two blocks in 28 minutes during Thursday's win against Oklahoma.
Thompson Seeing Double
Tristan Thompson recorded his team-best eighth double-double of the year in Thursday's quarterfinal win against Oklahoma. Thompson has recorded a double-double in three straight games and four times in the last five contests.
Joseph Does the Dishes
In his last seven games entering Friday's contest, Cory Joseph has recorded a team-best 29 assists against just five turnovers (5.8 assist-to-turnover ratio). He tallied four assists against one turnover in 28 minutes during Thursday's quarterfinal win.
Lucas Provides Spark
Senior guard Jai Lucas (first name is pronounced Jay) is averaging 3.0 points and 1.0 assist in 12.3 minutes per game this season. Lucas posted eight points on 3-of-4 FG shooting (2-of-2 threes) to go along with three assists and one steal in 20 minutes off the bench during Thursday's quarterfinal win. His highest scoring output during the 16-game league schedule was five points at Texas Tech in the conference opener (Jan. 11).
