2004-05 Season in Review
Horns battle through mid-season losses of Aldridge, Tucker to earn seventh straight NCAA tourney bid
2004-05 in a Nutshell
2004-05 Individual Honor Roll
Tale of Two Seasons
The 2004-05 edition of Texas Basketball featured two distinct seasons. During the first 17 games of the year, UT posted a 14-3 mark and was ranked among the AP Top 20 for all 11 weeks of the poll, reaching its highest ranking of No. 10 on Jan. 10. Following season-ending personnel losses to LaMarcus Aldridge and P.J. Tucker, the Horns concluded the season with a 6-8 mark in their final 14 contests. Here's a breakdown of UT's tale of two seasons:
Tale of Two Seasons
First 17 g Statistic Last 14 g 14-3 Record 6-8 82.9 UT Scoring Offense Avg. 69.6 66.8 Opp Scoring Offense Avg. 70.6 +16.1 Scoring Margin -1.0 .479 UT Field Goal % .426 .390 Opp Field Goal % .398 41.3 UT Rebound Avg. 37.6 32.6 Opp Rebound Avg. 36.9 +8.7 Rebound Margin +0.7
A Study in Perseverance
The 2004-05 campaign proved to be an interesting year for the Texas program, to say the least. Constant lineup and roster changes due to injuries and off-court situations were the norm, rather than the exception. Through it all, the players and the coaching staff never wavered or allowed expectations in Austin to dip. Patience and perseverance were the catch-phrases all season. Here's a quick look back at the situations which developed during the year:
· Freshman forward Mike Williams is forced to sit out both exhibition games and the first five games of the regular season due to an NCAA eligibility issue. He is cleared to play by the NCAA on Dec. 4 vs. Seton Hall. Total games missed: 5.
· Freshman forward Dion Dowell suffers a shoulder injury in practice leading up to the Coppin State game (Nov. 29). He misses 11 consecutive games before returning to the lineup at Nebraska (Jan. 15). Total games missed: 11.
· Junior guard Kenton Paulino battles a left hamstring injury throughout the preseason and non-conference schedule. Paulino is limited in practice from preseason through mid-January. He sits out the home game against Centenary (Dec. 22). Total games missed: 1.
· Senior guard Sydmill Harris is bothered by a groin injury and back spasms throughout the entire season. He misses three consecutive games (UNLV, Memphis and Baylor) in early January due to the groin injury. Total games missed: 3.
· Senior center Jason Klotz is suspended for Baylor game (Jan. 9) for unsportsmanlike conduct during Memphis contest (Jan. 6). Total games missed: 1.
· Freshman forward LaMarcus Aldridge suffers a season-ending injury (left hip) late in the second half of the win at Nebraska (Jan. 15), just as Aldridge is emerging as one of the top freshmen in the Big 12. Total games missed: 15.
· Sophomore forward P.J. Tucker, UT's leading scorer and rebounder at the time, is ruled academically ineligible on Jan. 20. Total games missed: 14.
· Junior guard Kenton Paulino suffers a dislocated left toe in the first half of the home overtime loss to Iowa State (Feb. 5). He only plays four minutes in the second half and is unable to play in the overtime period. Paulino then misses back-to-back games at Colorado (Feb. 8) and the home overtime win against Kansas State (Feb. 12). Total games missed: 2.5.
· Senior guard Sydmill Harris suffers a strained groin late in the first half of the Iowa State game (Feb. 5). He only plays two minutes in the second half and is unable to play in the overtime period. Harris does not miss any games (guts it out at Colorado), but is not able to practice until prior to the home win against Texas A&M (Feb. 16). Total games missed: 0.5.
· Freshman forward Dion Dowell suffers a right knee injury midway through the second half in the upset at Oklahoma State (March 5). He is unable to play for the remainder of that game and does not practice prior to the Big 12 Tournament. He plays seven minutes off the bench in the loss to Colorado (March 10).
Seven … and Counting
With their bid to the 2005 NCAA Tournament, the Longhorns accomplished something never before done in school history — earning their seventh straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to the Rick Barnes era, UT's previous mark for consecutive NCAA Tournament bids was four, set in 1989-92 and 1994-97.
Most Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances in UT History
No. Years
7 - 1999-2005
4 - 1994-97
4 - 1989-92
In Elite Company
UT's bid to the "Big Dance" marked the 15th time in the past 17 seasons that the Longhorns earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Texas is one of just seven schools in the nation to appear in 15 of the last 17 NCAA tourneys.
Most NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 17 years
(since the 1988-89 season)
School # NCAA trips
Arizona 17
Duke 16
Kansas 16
Indiana 15
North Carolina 15
TEXAS 15
UCLA 15
Noting the Polls
Texas was not ranked in either the final Associated Press poll (released March 14) or the final ESPN/USA Today coaches poll (released April 5). Texas had been ranked among the AP Top 25 for a school-record 52 consecutive weeks (dating back to the final poll of the 2001-02 season) prior to falling out of the poll on Feb. 14. During the Barnes era, Texas has spent 80 weeks ranked in the AP poll's Top 25, including 25 in the Top 10. Prior to Barnes' arrival, UT had been ranked a combined total of 50 weeks (AP poll began on Jan. 20, 1949).
20 Wins … Again
With its upset win at No. 8 Oklahoma State on March 5, Texas reached the 20-win plateau. The Horns have registered a school-record six consecutive 20-win seasons. Prior to the current streak, the previous school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons was four (1988-89 to 1991-92).
Defense Wins
Solid defense continued to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. The Horns limited their opponents to a combined 39.4% FG shooting during the 2004-05 season, including a 32.0% mark from three-point range. UT held 18 of its 31 opponents below 40% FG shooting on the year (14-4 mark in those games). Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 109 of their 230 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 96-13 mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
More Defense
UT had one of its finest team defensive efforts in the 35-point home victory against Texas A&M (Feb. 16). The Horns held the Aggies to just 40 points on 26.0% FG shooting (13-of-50). Texas A&M also registered just two assists in the game. This marked the fewest assists allowed by UT in the Barnes era and since the formation of the Big 12 Conference in 1996-97. In fact, it was the fewest allowed by UT since Loyola (Md.) had two assists in a 112-68 Texas win on Dec. 7, 1990.
Picking up the Minutes
With UT's reduced roster following the loss of LaMarcus Aldridge and P.J. Tucker in mid-January, all eight available UT scholarship players recorded career highs in minutes played during the final 14 contests of the year: Dowell (24 vs. Iowa State), Gibson (45 vs. Iowa State), Harris (36 vs. K-State), Klotz (40 vs. Iowa State), Paulino (34 vs. Nevada in the NCAA Tournament), Taylor (38 vs. K-State) and Williams (23 vs. Texas Tech).
Minutes in the Post after Aldridge out (Jan. 17)
First 16 g Player Last 15 g
22.0 Brad Buckman 29.3
24.3 Jason Klotz 33.5
Minutes on the Perimeter after Tucker out (Jan. 22)
First 17 g Player Last 14 g
29.3 Daniel Gibson 37.1
Horns set three-point percentage mark
The Horns converted 38.8% (243-of-627) from three-point range during the 2004-05 season, establishing a school single-season record for three-point percentage. The previous mark was 37.8% (185-of-489) in 1999-2000. UT connected on a season-best 66.7% (14-of-21) from deep in the home win against Texas Tech (Jan. 25). Texas also hit 16-of-28 (.571) threes during the home win against Coppin State (Nov. 29), just two shy of the school single-game record (18-of-31 vs. Kansas State; Jan. 12, 1997). Texas boasted five players who converted above 35% from three-point range: Kenton Paulino (.483, 42-of-87), Brad Buckman (.439, 18-of-41), Daniel Gibson (.398, 74-of-186), Sydmill Harris (.365, 42-of-115) and Kenny Taylor (.361, 61-of-169).
Fab Frosh
Point guard Daniel Gibson was named the consensus Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year (by league's coaches and media) and tabbed the National Freshman of the Year by Dick Vitale. He led the squad in scoring (14.2 ppg), double-figure scoring games (25), assists (3.9 apg), steals (55) and minutes played (32.8 mpg). Gibson became the first freshman in UT history to lead the team in scoring. He also was the lone Longhorn to start every game during the year.
Top Freshman Scoring Average in UT History
Avg Player Year
19.1 Terrence Rencher 1991-92
16.7 Ron Baxter 1976-77
14.2 Daniel Gibson 2004-05
Top Freshman Assists Average in UT History
Avg Player Year
8.3 T.J. Ford 2001-02
4.5 Fred Carson 1979-80
4.0 Johnny Moore 1975-76
3.9 Daniel Gibson 2004-05
Gibson Takes the Lead
Daniel Gibson assumed much of the leadership of the team following the mid-season losses of Aldridge and Tucker. Gibson led the squad in scoring in nine of the last 16 games to conclude the year. In his final 16 games of the season, Gibson averaged 16.1 ppg with five 20-point performances while hitting 78-of-173 (.451) FG.
Gibson Steals the Show
Although he gained more recognition for his play offensively, Daniel Gibson also proved to be effective on defense. Gibson had a career-high six steals during the overtime loss to Iowa State (Feb. 5), just one shy of the UT freshman single-game mark (7 by T.J. Ford vs. Oregon; March 22, 2002). Gibson led the team with 55 steals on the year, a mark that ranked third on the school's freshman season list.
Most Steals in a Season by a Freshman in UT History
No Player Year
72 T.J. Ford 2001-02
58 Terrence Rencher 1991-92
55 Daniel Gibson 2004-05
Buckman's Big Improvement
Junior forward Brad Buckman earned the team's Most Improved Player for the 2004-05 campaign. He led the team in rebounding (8.3 rpg) and blocks (50) and ranked third on the squad in scoring (12.5 ppg).
Buckman by the Numbers
2003-04 Stat 2004-05
5.7 Points per game 12.5
4.5 Rebounds per game 8.3
15.2 Minutes per game 25.5
5 Games in Double-Figure Scoring 20
Buckman Better Down the Stretch
Like Daniel Gibson, Brad Buckman turned up his play following the mid-season losses of Aldridge and Tucker. In his final 11 games of the 2004-05 season, Buckman recorded six double-doubles and averaged 16.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg while hitting 56.4% of his field goals.
Better Down the Stretch
First 20 g Stat Last 11 g
10.5 Points per game 16.0
.507 (74-146) Field goal % (FG-A) .564 (57-101)
7.1 Rebounds per game 10.5
1 Double-doubles 6
Buckman Joins 20-20 Club
Brad Buckman's stat line during the loss at Colorado (Feb. 8) was one for the record books. Buckman became just the third player in UT history to post at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game with his 27-point, 21-rebound effort. It marked the first such performance in over 24 years (LaSalle Thompson on Jan. 19, 1981).
20-point, 20-rebound Performances at UT
Player Date (Opponent) Stat Line
Brad Buckman Feb. 8, 2005 (at Colorado) 27 pts, 21 reb
LaSalle Thompson Jan. 19, 1981 (at North Texas) 26 pts, 21 reb
Larry Robinson Dec. 27, 1971 (vs. Centenary) 26 pts, 23 reb
Buckman Cleans the Glass
Brad Buckman was a one-man rebounding machine for the Longhorns following the mid-season losses of Aldridge and Tucker. Buckman paced the Horns in rebounds in 11 of the team's final 14 games, averaging 10.6 rpg during the stretch. He reached double figures in boards in eight of those 14 contests. His 21 rebounds against Colorado (Feb. 8) tied for the fourth-highest single-game rebound total in school history and were the most recorded in over 23 years (21 by LaSalle Thompson at SMU; Jan. 9, 1982). His 36 boards in a two-game span (15 vs. Iowa State, 21 vs. Colorado) marked a tie for the second-best two-game total in school history.
Klotz's Corner Senior center Jason Klotz proved to be one of the most consistent performers throughout the 2004-05 season. Klotz, who shared the team's Most Valuable Player honors with point guard Daniel Gibson, ranked second on the squad in blocks (33) and fourth in scoring (11.2 ppg) and rebounding (5.8 rpg). He reached double figures in scoring 21 times during the season, second-best on the team.
Klotz by the Numbers 2003-04 Stat 2004-05 7.0 Points per game 11.2 3.9 Rebounds per game 5.8 16.7 Minutes per game 28.9 9 Double-figure scoring games 21
Klotz Goes Out on High Note
Jason Klotz concluded his collegiate career with a bang. Klotz posted a career-high 20 points on 10-of-25 shooting in UT's NCAA Tournament first round loss to Nevada. He also set career highs in both field goals made and attempted. The 25 field goal attempts tied a school NCAA Tournament single-game record (25 by Larry Robinson vs. Creighton, March 9, 1974). Klotz shined on the defensive end of the court as well, blocking three shots and limiting WAC Player of the Year Nick Fazekas to just 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting. Fazekas entered the contest averaging better than 21 points per contest.
Taylor Made
Senior guard Kenny Taylor had a very solid season to close his collegiate career. Taylor, who started the first 20 games of the year at shooting guard before coming off the bench in 10 of the last 11 contests, ranked fifth on the team in scoring (10.6 ppg), fourth in minutes (28.6 mpg) and second in assists (81). Taylor had a career-high 23 points (10-of-13 FG) and four steals in the win against Centenary (Dec. 22). He also recorded 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting (2-of-3 threes) in 29 minutes of work during his final collegiate contest (vs. Nevada in NCAA Tournament first round).
Taylor by the Numbers
2003-04 Stat 2004-05
7.3 Points per game 10.6
19.0 Minutes per game 28.6
10 Games in Double-Figure Scoring 17
Sydmill's Story
Senior guard Sydmill Harris arrived on campus simply as a three-point shooting specialist, but he matured into an all-around player during his time with the Horns. The first European-born (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) basketball player in UT history, he saw action in 124 of a possible 131 career games. Harris averaged 6.5 ppg while converting 36.5% (42-of-115) from three-point range during the 2004-05 season. He had a season-high 17 points while hitting 5-of-8 threes in the home overtime win against Kansas State (Feb. 12).
Harris by the Numbers
2003-04 Stat 2004-05
4.0 Points per game 6.5
.355 3 FG % .365
10.9 Minutes per game 21.6
Updated UT record book:
Most career 3 FG made at texas
Rk. Name (Years) 3M
1. Travis Mays (1987-90) 246
2. Reggie Freeman (1994-97) 243
3. B.J. Tyler (1992-94) 216
4. Brandy Perryman (1995-98) 210
5. Brandon Mouton (2001-04) 198
6. Joey Wright (1989-91) 175
7. Sydmill Harris (2002-05) 165
Most career 3 FG attempted at Texas
Rk. Name (Years) 3A
1. Reggie Freeman (1994-97) 739
2. Travis Mays (1987-90) 664
3. B.J. Tyler (1992-94) 588
4. Brandy Perryman (1995-98) 585
5. Brandon Mouton (2001-04) 509
6. Terrence Rencher (1992-95) 486
7. Sydmill Harris (2002-05) 443
Highest career 3 FG% at Texas
(min. 200 attempts)
Rk. Name (Years) 3M-3A Pct.
1. Joey Wright (1989-91) 175-422 41.47
2. Brian Boddicker (2001-04) 159-394 40.36
3. Maurice Evans (2001) 86-221 38.91
4. Brandon Mouton (2001-04) 198-509 38.90
5. Tony Watson (1991-94) 141-369 38.21
6. Sydmill Harris (2002-05) 165-443 37.25
Most career blocked shots
Rk. Name (Years) Blocks
1. Chris Mihm (1998-2000) 264
2. Albert Burditt (1991-94) 236
3. Chris Owens (2000-02) 159
4. LaSalle Thompson (1980-82) 145
5. Brad Buckman (2003- ) 113
6. Jason Klotz (2001-05) 103
Most career games played
Rk. Name (Years) GP
1. Brian Boddicker (2001-04) 134
James Thomas (2001-04) 134
3. Royal Ivey (2001-04) 133
Brandon Mouton (2001-04) 133
5. Jason Klotz (2001-05) 131
6. Courtney Jeans (1988-91) 126
7. Sydmill Harris (2002-05) 124
Gabe Muoneke (1997-2000) 124
Terrence Rencher (1992-95) 124
Travis Mays (1987-90) 124
2004-05 in a Nutshell
· 20-11 record
· Tied for fifth place in the Big 12 Conference (9-7 record)
· Advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a school-record seventh consecutive season
· No. 8 seed in the NCAA Indianapolis Region
· Reached the 20-win plateau for the sixth straight year, setting a school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons
· Registered a regular-season sweep of eventual "Sweet 16" participant Oklahoma State. UT halted OSU's nation-long home winning streak (29 games) with a win in Stillwater on Senior Night.
2004-05 Individual Honor Roll
Brad Buckman
· Second-team All-Big 12 Conference (coaches)
· NABC All-District 9 second team
· Big 12 All-Improved team selection (media)
· Big 12 All-Defensive team choice (media)
· Team's Most Improved Player
· Big 12 Player of the Week (Feb. 24)
Daniel Gibson
· National Freshman of the Year (Dick Vitale)
· Big 12 Freshman of the Year (coaches and media)
· Third-team All-Big 12 Conference (coaches)
· NABC All-District 9 first team
· Big 12 All-Freshman team choice (media)
· Team's Co-Most Valuable Player
· Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week (Dec. 7)
· Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Jan. 10)
· ESPN.com National Freshman of the Week (Jan. 24)
· Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week (Jan. 24)
· Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Jan. 24)
Jason Klotz
· Team's Co-Most Valuable Player
P.J. Tucker
· Big 12 Player of the Week (Dec. 20)
· Big 12 Co-Player of the Week (Jan. 3)
Head coach Rick Barnes
· One of 20 finalists for the Naismith Award
