TEXAS (4-1) vs. Texas Southern (1-4)
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 · 7 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,755) · Austin, Texas
Television: The game will be televised in the state of Texas only by Fox Sports Southwest. Greg Lucas (pxp) and Jim Haller (analyst) will call the action.
Series: First meeting
Series vs. Texas Southern
Tuesday's contest marks the first meeting between Texas and Texas Southern on the hardwood. Texas is 3-0 all-time against current members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Horns recorded home victories against Southern and Prairie View A&M last season, before registering a 103-44 home win against Alcorn State in the season opener this year.
Texas Southern Ties to UT
Texas Southern coach Ronnie Courtney has some noteworthy ties to The University of Texas basketball program. Courtney served as head coach at Fort Bend Willowridge High School for four seasons (1997-98 to 2000-01). During his stint at Willowridge, Courtney tutored a point guard by the name of T.J. Ford. Ford and another former Longhorn, Kenny Taylor, were part of Willowridge's back-to-back 5A state championship teams (1999-2000 and 2000-01). During Ford and Taylor's senior year at Willowridge (2000-01), the team went 39-0 en route to a final national ranking of No. 2.
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 66-6 (.917) record against in-state foes during the Barnes era, including marks of 17-0 against Baylor, 14-3 against Texas A&M and 16-2 against Texas Tech.
Nicholls State Game Notes
· The Longhorns were 10-of-27 (.370) from beyond the arc. UT has made at least 10 three-pointers in three of its first five games this season.
· Texas had a season-high 21 assists during the win.
· The Horns posted a +28 (57-29) rebound advantage against Nicholls State. Texas has recorded at least a +15 rebound margin in three of its first five contests.
· A.J. Abrams reached the 20-point mark (23) for the third time in the first five games. He also has converted at least six 3-pointers (7-of-12 against Nicholls State) in three of the first five contests.
· A.J. Abrams posted career highs in steals (five) and rebounds (four).
· A.J. Abrams tied the UT record for most 3-pointers in a half with 6 threes in the opening 20 minutes. This marked the second time this year he has tied that mark (6 in first half vs. Chicago State).
· Kevin Durant recorded his third double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds) in the first five games. He has scored at least 20 points in all five contests.
· Justin Mason made his first collegiate start and posted career highs in points (15) and field goals made (6-of-10).
· D.J. Augustin had eight assists during the win. He has recorded at least six assists in all five contests this season.
· Damion James had a career-high nine rebounds in only 17 minutes of action. He has grabbed at least six boards in all five games this season.
· Craig Winder posted a season-high seven boards in just 13 minutes of action.
· Dexter Pittman registered career highs in points (8), field goals made
(4-of-6) and minutes (12) and tied his career high in rebounds (6).
· The seven freshmen combined to log 60 of the 91 points (65.9%), 34 of the 53 rebounds (64.2%) and 14 of the 21 assists (66.7%).
A Check of the Polls
Texas is ranked No. 25 in the most recent ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches poll (Nov. 27) and unranked in the latest Associated Press Top 25 (Nov. 27). The Longhorns were tabbed No. 21 in the AP Preseason poll, marking the fifth consecutive year and ninth time in the last 11 seasons that UT has been ranked in the AP Preseason poll. During the Barnes era, the Horns have spent 101 weeks in the AP Top 25, including 41 in the Top 10.
