Nov. 24, 2009
Complete Notes 
#3/3 Texas (3-0) vs. Pittsburgh (4-0)
O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Championship Game
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 • approx. 9:15 p.m. Central
Sprint Center (11,197) • Kansas City, Mo.
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Terry Gannon (pxp) and Stephen Bardo (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.
SERIES: Pittsburgh leads, 1-0. Last meeting: Pittsburgh 91-87 (Nov. 29, 1991; New York City)
Looking for More November Tourney Success
Texas will attempt to capture its third November tournament title in the last five years with a victory against Pittsburgh tonight in the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Championship Game. The Longhorns won the 2005 Guardians Classic with a 68-59 victory against No. 18 Iowa (Nov. 23, 2005) in Kansas City en route to a 30-7 record and a trip to the NCAA “Elite Eight” in 2005-06. Texas also captured the 2007 StubHub! Legends Classic with a 97-78 victory against No. 7 Tennessee (Nov. 24, 2007) in Newark en route to a 31-7 mark and another trip to the NCAA “Elite Eight” in 2007-08.
Series vs. Pittsburgh
Tuesday’s contest is just the second meeting between Texas and Pittsburgh. In the only other matchup between the two schools, then-No. 24 Pittsburgh posted a 91-87 victory in the third-place game of the 1991 Chase Preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden in New York (Nov. 29, 1991). Head coach Rick Barnes holds a 5-7 all-time mark against Pittsburgh, with all 12 previous meetings coming during his time at Providence (1988-94).
Iowa Game Notes
• UT hit 55.6% from the floor, marking the third straight game that the Horns topped the 50% FG mark.
• The Longhorns limited Iowa to 31.7% FG shooting, including a 6-of-32 (.188) mark in the second half.
• Ten different UT players saw at least 10 minutes of action during the win. The highest number of minutes played for any Texas player was 29 (James).
• Texas improved to 3-0 for the third straight year. The Longhorns have opened the season with three wins by at least 25 points for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
• UT had five players reach double figures in scoring for the second time in its first three contests.
• Damion James (10 points, 12 rebounds) recorded his second double-double of the year and 39th in his career (111 games). He reached double figures in scoring for the third time this year and the 72nd time in his career. James reached double digits in rebounding for the second time this season and 50th time in his career.
• Damion James became the third player in UT history to record at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He became the third player in school history and the sixth individual in Big 12 Conference history to top the 1,000-rebound plateau with his defensive board at the 10:01 mark of the second half.
• Jordan Hamilton (16 points) led the team in scoring for the first time in his career and reached double figures in scoring for the second time in his career. He set career highs in scoring, three-pointers made (4-of-8) and assists (five).
• Dexter Pittman (15 points) reached double figures in scoring for the second time this season and 20th time in his career (103 games).
• J’Covan Brown (14 points) reached double figures in scoring for the third time in as many games.
• Avery Bradley (11 points) reached double figures in scoring for the second time in his career. He also made his first career start.
• Dogus Balbay had a career-high three blocked shots.
• Varez Ward tied his career high in steals (three).
• Texas posted a 40-18 advantage in points in the paint and a 39-13 edge in bench scoring.
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. In their first three contests, the Longhorns have held their opponents to an average of just 47.7 points per game on a combined 28.4% FG shooting, including a 15-of-66 (.227) mark from three-point range. During last night’s win against Iowa, the Longhorns held the Hawkeyes to 31.7% FG shooting, including a 6-of-32 (.188) mark in the decisive second half. UT has held its opponents to under 30% FG shooting in four of six halves this year. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 185 of their 378 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 168-17 (.908) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Cleaning the Glass
Texas has been a dominating rebounding team during its first three contests. The Horns sport a +14.3 rebound margin (45.3-31.0) entering Tuesday’s game. UT posted a 49-30 edge on the glass against UC Irvine, then returned to record a 47-32 advantage against Western Carolina. Texas registered a 40-31 edge on the glass against Iowa last night, including a 25-14 margin in the second half.
Shutting ‘em Down in the Second Half
In each of its first three games, Texas has received a dominant defensive performance in the second half. The Horns have allowed an average of 20.0 points per half on 20.6% FG shooting (20-of-97) in the second half of these three contests.
Better Offense in the Second Half
In addition to its strong defensive efforts in the final 20 minutes of its first three games, Texas also has been a much more efficient team at the offensive end of the court in the second half. The Horns have recorded an average of 41.3 points per half on 62.5% FG shooting (45-of-72) in the second half of these three contests.
Spurt-ability
Texas has shown the ability to go on prolonged runs during its first three games of the season. In last night’s semifinal win against Iowa, the Horns faced a 41-38 deficit at the 19:34 mark of the second half. Texas responded with a 17-0 run over the next 5:21 to build a 55-41 cushion and seal the victory. During the season-opening win against UC Irvine, the Longhorns used a 21-0 run over a span of 9:12 the first half (from the 10:05 mark to the 0:53 mark) to turn a 19-18 deficit into a 39-19 advantage. UT also used a 15-2 spurt during a stretch of 6:35 in the first half (from 12:52 mark to the 6:17 mark) against Western Carolina to take control of that contest.
James Getting Better by the Year
Senior guard/forward Damion James is a four-year starter who has played in all 111 games (109 starts), James is off to a solid start in his senior year, leading the team in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.3 rpg) while converting 15-of-26 (.577) field goals, including 5-of-9 threes, and 14-of-18 (.778) free throws. He had 21 points and 15 rebounds in 22 minutes during the season opener against UC Irvine. James followed with 18 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes against Western Carolina. He added 10 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in 29 minutes during last night’s win against Iowa.
James Joins 1,000-1,000 Club
Damion James joined some very impressive company in Texas Basketball history during Monday’s win against Iowa. With his defensive rebound at the 10:01 mark of the second half, James became the third player in UT player to record at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. James currently has 1,355 points and 1,002 rebounds in his career. LaSalle Thompson (1980-82) posted 1,463 points and 1,027 rebounds during his three seasons in Austin. James Thomas (2001-04) registered 1,149 points and 1,077 boards during his four years at Texas.
James Tops 1,000 Career Rebounds
Damion James currently ranks third in school history with 1,002 rebounds in 111 career games (9.0 rpg). In last night’s win against Iowa, James became the third player in school history and sixth individual in Big 12 Conference history to reach the 1,000 career rebound plateau. James is just 76 boards shy of becoming the school’s all-time leading rebounder and 142 rebounds shy of becoming the all-time Big 12 leader.
Pittman Continues Improvement
Senior center Dexter Pittman was one of the most improved players in the Big 12 Conference, if not the nation, as a junior. He has continued to show improvement in his all-around game early in his senior year. Pittman ranks second on the team in scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg) and leads the squad in blocks (six) through the first three games. He has converted 21-of-26 (.808) field goals while averaging 20.0 minutes per game.
What Can Brown Do For You?
Freshman guard J’Covan Brown has reached double-figure scoring in each of UT’s first three games. Brown ranks third on the team in scoring (12.3 ppg) while hitting 12-of-24 (.500) field goals. He also is a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. After starting the first two games at the point, Brown came off the bench last night and tallied 14 points (5-of-10 FG) in 19 minutes.
Hamilton Finds the Range
Freshman swingman Jordan Hamilton had his best offensive output of the year in last night’s win against Iowa. Hamilton posted a game-high 16 points (14 in the first half) while converting 5-of-9 field goals, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, in 20 minutes off the bench. He also added a career-high five assists. Hamilton has reached double digits in scoring in two of the first three games and ranks fourth on the team in scoring (11.0 ppg) while hitting 12-of-24 (.500) field goals.
Bradley Continues Steady Play
Freshman guard Avery Bradley ranks fifth on the team in scoring (8.3 ppg) while converting 10-of-17 (.588) field goals in 20.7 minutes per contest through the first three games. Bradley made his first collegiate start during last night’s win against Iowa and recorded 11 points (4-of-6 FG), two rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes.
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