Dec. 1, 2009
Complete Notes 
#2/2 Texas (5-0) vs. USC (2-2)
Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Thursday, December 3, 2009 • 8 p.m. (Central)
Frank Erwin Center (16,734) • Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Jon Sciambi (pxp) and Fran Fraschilla (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: USC leads, 5-4. Last meeting: USC 87-68 (March 18, 2007; Spokane, Wash.)
Series vs. USC
Thursday's contest marks the 10th meeting between Texas and Southern California. USC holds a 5-4 lead in the all-time series that dates back to a 28-20 win by the Trojans in Austin on Dec. 19, 1936. UT recorded a 71-63 win in Houston on Dec. 30, 1955. The two teams then met three consecutive years in the late 1970s. Texas registered a 66-61 victory in Austin on Dec. 6, 1976. USC returned the favor with a 65-64 win in Los Angeles on Nov. 26, 1977. UT posted an 87-68 victory in Austin on Jan. 20, 1979. The Trojans recorded an 89-81 win in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 1980. The Longhorns tallied a 71-70 victory in Austin on March 3, 1985. USC registered an 84-62 win in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 1985. In the last meeting between the two schools (March 18, 2007), the Trojans posted an 87-68 win in a NCAA Tournament Second Round contest in Spokane, Wash. This marked the final collegiate game for then-UT freshman Kevin Durant.
Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
The Big 12 and Pacific-10 Conferences continue games this season in a four-year agreement to play a men's basketball series of 12 annual matchups between the two leagues. The 2009-10 campaign marks the third season of the Hardwood Series.
Rice Game Notes
• Texas improved to 5-0 for the fourth time in the last eight years.
• UT has opened the year with five straight double-digit wins for just the fourth time in school history (joining the following teams: 1915-16, 1921-22 and 2007-08).
• The Longhorns limited Rice to 39.7% FG shooting, including a 1-of-10 (.100) mark from beyond the arc. Texas has held all five of its opponents to below 27.0% shooting from three-point range.
• UT improved to 94-11 (.895) against in-state foes during the Rick Barnes era.
• Dexter Pittman (21 points) topped the 20-point mark for the second time this year and fifth time in his career (105 games). He reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time this year and the 22nd time in his career. Pittman set season highs in rebounds (nine) and minutes (26) and tied his season high in blocks (three).
• J'Covan Brown (15 points) reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time in as many games. He set career highs in points, assists (four), rebounds (five) and minutes (31).
• Jordan Hamilton (11 points) reached double figures in scoring for the third time in his career.
• Dogus Balbay set a career high in rebounds (nine).
• Avery Bradley had a career-high four assists without a turnover in 26 minutes.
A Check of the Polls
Texas is ranked No. 2 in the latest Associated Press poll (Nov. 30) and No. 2 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll (Nov. 30). This marks a tie for the highest ranking in both polls in school history. It marks the seventh week Texas has been ranked No. 2 in the AP poll (last on Dec. 5, 2005). It also marks the fifth week Texas has been ranked No. 2 in the ESPN/USA Today poll (last on Dec. 5, 2005). During the Rick Barnes era, the Horns have spent 146 weeks in The AP Top 25, including 66 in the Top 10.
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. In their first five contests, the Longhorns have held their opponents to an average of just 52.8 points per game on a combined 32.8% FG shooting, including a 20-of-92 (.217) mark from three-point range. UT has held its opponents to under 30% FG shooting in four of 10 halves this year. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 187 of their 380 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 170-17 (.909) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Shutting `em Down in the Second Half
In four of its first five games, Texas has received a dominant defensive performance in the second half. The Horns have allowed an average of 24.8 points per half on 28.5% FG shooting (45-of-158) in the second half of their first five contests.
Better Offense in the Second Half
In addition to its strong defensive efforts in the final 20 minutes of its first five 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 42.8 points per half on 60.3% FG shooting (73-of-121) in the second half of their first five contests.
James Getting Better by the Year
Senior guard/forward Damion James is a four-year starter who has played in all 113 games (111 starts), James is off to a solid start in his senior year, leading the team in scoring (15.4 ppg) and rebounding (10.2 rpg) while converting 25-of-48 (.521) field goals, including 7-of-15 (.467) threes, and 20-of-28 (.714) 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 against Iowa, and registered a game-high 20 points and nine boards in 33 minutes against Pittsburgh.
Damion James: By the Numbers
Stat Fr. So. Jr. Sr.
Points per game 7.6 13.2 15.4 15.4
Rebounds per game 7.2 10.3 9.2 10.2
Double-doubles 4 17 16 2
James Earning Hardware
Damion James picked up a pair of honors during this past week for his efforts on the court. James earned MVP honors at the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic, averaging 15.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg during the two wins in Kansas City. He also was tabbed the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week on Monday (Nov. 30), as he averaged 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during UT's three wins against Iowa, Pittsburgh and Rice. This marked his second career Big 12 weekly honor for James, who previously earned the accolade as a sophomore (Dec. 3, 2007).
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 (15.2 ppg) and rebounding (6.2 rpg) and leads the squad in blocks (10) through the first five games. He has converted 31-of-38 (.816) field goals while averaging 20.8 minutes per game. Pittman had a game-high 21 points (7-of-8 FG), nine rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes during Sunday's win at Rice.
Dexter Pittman: By the Numbers
Stat Fr. So. Jr. Sr.
Points per game 2.6 2.8 10.1 15.2
Rebounds per game 1.8 2.4 5.5 6.2
Minutes per game 5.3 6.8 16.6 20.8
Double-figure scoring games 1 2 15 4
Balbay Gets the Point
Junior point guard Dogus Balbay has a team-best 21 assists against just seven turnovers (3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio) while averaging 22.6 minutes per game off the bench during UT's first five contests this year. Balbay tallied 10 points (4-of-6 FG), eight boards, seven assists against two turnovers and two steals in 28 minutes against Pittsburgh (Nov. 24). In Sunday's win at Rice, he registered five points and a career-high nine rebounds in 29 minutes.
What Can Brown Do For You?
Freshman guard J'Covan Brown has reached double-figure scoring in each of UT's first five games. Brown ranks third on the team in scoring (12.8 ppg) while hitting 18-of-19 (.947) free throws in 23.0 minutes per game. He has started four of the first five games at the point for the Horns.
Number Change for Brown
J'Covan Brown will wear the No. 50 jersey for the remainder of the season to pay tribute to injured teammate Varez Ward. Brown made the switch to No. 50 prior to Sunday's game at Rice.
Hamilton Finds the Range
Freshman swingman Jordan Hamilton had his best offensive output of the year against Iowa (Nov. 23). 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 three of the first five games and ranks fourth on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) while hitting 10-of-25 (.400) from three-point range.
