Dec. 6, 2008
Complete notes 
#6/6 TEXAS (6-1) vs. #15/12 Villanova (8-0)
Jimmy V Classic
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 • 8 p.m. Central
Madison Square Garden (19,391) • New York, N.Y.
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Dan Shulman (pxp), Dick Vitale (analyst) and Doris Burke (reporter) 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: Tied, 1-1. Last meeting: Villanova 76-69 (Jan. 20, 2007; Philadelphia)
Jimmy V Classic
The Jimmy V Classic showcases four of the nation's elite programs in a fundraising event for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. This is the 14th year of the annual event. The V Foundation has raised more than $80 million and awarded cancer research grants in 38 states and the District of Columbia. This marks UT's second appearance in the Jimmy V Classic. No. 9 Arizona posted a 91-83 victory against No. 6 Texas in the 2003 Classic (Dec. 9). Below is this year's schedule of games for the Jimmy V Classic:
2008 Jimmy V Classic Schedule (all times Central)
Davidson vs. West Virginia, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Texas vs. Villanova, 30 min. following earlier game
Series vs. Villanova
Tuesday's contest marks the third meeting between Texas and Villanova. The two teams have split the previous two matchups, with each school winning on its home court. UT and Villanova had never met on the hardwood prior to a home-and-home series that began in the 2005-06 season. In the first meeting, No. 8 Texas defeated No. 3 Villanova 58-55 in Austin on Jan. 14, 2006. The following year (Jan. 20, 2007), the Wildcats recorded a 76-69 win against No. 21 Texas at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.
Texas-UCLA Game Notes
· Texas won its ninth consecutive home game against an AP Top 25 opponent.
· UT held UCLA to 39.4% FG shooting (26-of-66). Texas improved to 6-0 on the year when holding its opponent below the 40% FG mark.
· The Horns recorded six blocked shots in the win. This marked the sixth time in the first seven games that Texas had at least six blocked shots.
· A.J. Abrams (31 points) tied his career high in scoring. Abrams previously had 31 points against New Mexico State on Nov. 23, 2007 in the StubHub! Legends Classic semifinals. He also set a career high in free throws made (8-of-9).
· A.J. Abrams (31 points) reached the 30-point mark for the third time in his career (116 games). Abrams topped the 20-point mark for the third time this year and the 26th time in his career. He reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time this season and the 74th time in his career.
· Damion James (13 points, 13 rebounds) recorded his third double-double of the year and 24th of his career (80 games). He reached double figures in scoring for the seventh time this season and the 45th time in his career. James reached double digits in rebounding for the third time this year and 30th time in his career.
Strength of Schedule
To say UT will play a difficult schedule this season would be a gross understatement. When the Longhorns take the court on Tuesday night against No. 17/16 Villanova, it marks the third Top 20 opponent for Texas through its first eight games. UT dropped an 81-80 decision to No. 8/8 Notre Dame on Nov. 25 (EA Sports Maui Invitational semifinals) and defeated No. 12/9 UCLA 68-64 on Thursday in Austin. In addition, the Horns scrimmaged No. 22/24 Davidson and No. 5/5 Gonzaga in the preseason.
Abrams Getting Better by the Year
A.J. Abrams is the most experienced player in the Texas lineup, having played in 116 of a possible 117 games (80 starts) to date in his career. Through the first seven games this year, Abrams has averaged a team-best 18.0 ppg while hitting 43-of-99 (.434) field goals, including a 24-of-54 (.444) mark from three-point range.
Abrams and 30
A.J. Abrams had one of the top offensive performances of his career during Thursday night's win against No. 12/9 UCLA. Abrams tied his career high with 31 points while converting 9-of-18 field goals (5-of-9 threes) and 8-of-9 free throws in 39 minutes of work. This marked the third time that he topped the 30-point mark in his career (30 vs. Arkansas-Monticello on Nov. 18, 2007; 31 vs. New Mexico State on Nov. 23, 2007).
James Improves Across the Board
Junior swingman Damion James is off to a solid start while transitioning to playing primarily on the perimeter. James enters Tuesday's game after posting double-doubles in three of his last four contests. He had 11 points and 12 rebounds during the EA Sports Maui Invitational semifinal loss to No. 8/8 Notre Dame (Nov. 25). James tallied a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win against Oregon (Nov. 26). He added 13 points and a game-high 13 boards in Thursday's home win against No. 12/9 UCLA. In the first seven games this year, James leads the team in rebounding (8.7 rpg) and ranks second in scoring (14.3 ppg) while hitting 39-of-78 (.500) field goals.
