Dec. 2, 2008
Complete notes 
#8/8 TEXAS (5-1) vs. #12/9 UCLA (4-1)
Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 • 8 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,755) • Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Dave O'Brien (pxp) and Jay Bilas (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.
INTERNET AUDIO: Listen to Texas Basketball games on subscription-based Yahoo! Sports College Broadcast.
SERIES: UCLA leads, 2-1. Last meeting: Texas 63-61 (Dec. 2, 2007; Los Angeles)
Series vs. UCLA
Thursday's contest marks the fourth meeting between Texas and UCLA. The Bruins hold a 2-1 lead in the all-time series. This marks the first meeting in Austin, as all three previous contests have been played at Pauley Pavilion. In the first meeting between the two schools, then-No. 2 UCLA posted a 99-54 win on Dec. 13, 1969. Then-No. 1 UCLA recorded a 115-65 victory in the opening round of the Bruin Classic on Dec. 29, 1971. In last year's matchup (Dec. 2, 2007), No. 8/8 Texas registered a dramatic 63-61 upset of No. 2/1 UCLA.
Last Year in Los Angeles
No. 8/8 Texas 63, No. 2/1 UCLA 61. Dec. 2, 2007. Pauley Pavilion.
Damion James had 19 points and 10 rebounds, including the game-winning follow slam with 8.3 seconds left, to lead the Longhorns to the two-point victory. No. 2 UCLA marked the highest-ranked (AP) opponent that the Horns had defeated in a true road game in school history. The second-ranked Bruins also equaled the highest-ranked (AP) opponent that Texas had defeated in school history, matching the win against No. 2 Louisville on Nov. 30, 1986 in the Great Alaska Shootout. After a pair of Darren Collison free throws gave UCLA a 14-13 advantage at the 13:31 mark, the Horns went on a 17-0 run in which they held the Bruins without a point for a span of 8:53. Texas took a 37-25 lead into the break after converting 53.1% (17-of-32) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. The Bruins used a 16-3 spurt over the first eight minutes of the second half to take a 41-40 lead after a Josh Shipp three-pointer at the 12:52 mark. From there, the contest featured nine lead changes and two ties before a pair of Kevin Love free throws tied the contest at 55-55 with 3:57 left. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute had a chance to give the Bruins the lead with 29 seconds left, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one and Connor Atchley grabbed the rebound. On UT's final possession, Augustin drove the lane and misfired, but James was there with the follow slam to give the Horns a 63-61 lead with 8.3 seconds remaining. The Bruins had an opportunity to win the game, but a Mbah a Moute three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim. Augustin had 19 points, while Atchley added nine points and four rebounds and did an excellent job on defense against Love (11 points and five boards in 24 minutes).
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 2008-09 campaign marks the second season of the Hardwood Series. Last year, the Pac-10 held a 7-5 edge in series' contests. However, the Big 12 won the overall season series between conference teams with an 11-8 advantage.
A Check of the Polls
Texas is ranked No. 8 in the latest Associated Press poll (Dec. 1) and No. 8 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll (Dec. 1). This marks the eighth consecutive year that the Longhorns have been ranked in The AP preseason poll and the eighth straight year that the Horns have been ranked in the coaches' preseason poll. During the Barnes era, the Horns have spent 131 weeks in The AP Top 25, including 55 in the Top 10.
Horns at Home
Texas is in its 32nd year of play in the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns have posted an all-time record of 366-89 (.804) in the building. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, UT has recorded a 141-18 (.887) mark at the Erwin Center, including a 69-11 (.863) record in Big 12 Conference home contests. Texas has a 24-8 (.750) mark against AP Top 25 teams at home during the Rick Barnes era. The Horns have won 95 of their last 101 home games.
Home Success Against The AP Top 25
Texas enters Thursday's contest against No. 12/9 UCLA sporting an eight-game winning streak in home games against AP Top 25 opponents. The last time UT dropped a home contest against an AP Top 25 foe came in a 74-58 decision to No. 20 Oklahoma on Feb. 28, 2005.
Mason Returns to Form
In the last three contests, Justin Mason has averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while hitting 19-of-37 (.514) field goals. He tallied 16 points (7-of-12 FG), five rebounds and seven assists against just one turnover in 37 minutes during the EA Sports Maui Invitational semifinal against No. 8/8 Notre Dame (Nov. 25). Mason had 18 points, five assists and five rebounds while hitting 8-of-15 field goals in the win against Oregon (Nov. 26). He then recorded a team-high 14 points, six boards, four assists and three steals in Sunday's win against Rice.
