Jan. 12, 2009
Complete notes [PDF]
#16/12 TEXAS (12-3, 0-1 Big 12) vs. Nebraska (9-5, 0-1 Big 12)
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 • 7 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,755) • Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised by the Longhorn Sports Network. Kevin Eschenfelder (pxp) and Debbie Antonelli (analyst) will call the action.
RADIO: KVET (1300 AM Sportsradio The Zone) will broadcast Wednesday's game between Texas and Nebraska. Fans can also tune into XM Satellite Radio Ch. 231 for all of the action. Craig Way (pxp) and Carol Ross (analyst) will call the game.
INTERNET AUDIO: Listen to Texas Basketball games on subscription-based Yahoo! Sports College Broadcast.
SERIES: Texas leads, 12-5. Last meeting: Nebraska 56-45 (Jan. 9, 2008; Lincoln, Neb.)
Notables
• Raven Joins 1k Club ... Junior guard Brittainey Raven became the newest member of Texas' 1,000 Point Club during Saturday's contest at Texas Tech. Raven scored a game-high 21 points in the 62-65 loss, where she crossed the 1K mark with 5:27 remaining in the first half with a three-point basket. She became the 33rd player in Texas history to accomplish the feat.
• Nash Sees Double ... Sophomore guard Kathleen Nash posted her second double-double effort of the season in Saturday's contest at Texas Tech. She had 20 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in Texas' Big 12 opener at Tech. Nash now has four double-doubles in her collegiate career.
Series vs. Nebraska
Wednesday's contest marks the 18th meeting between Texas and Nebraska. Texas holds a 12-5 advantage in the all-time series which began on Feb. 28, 1981, with a 95-63 Texas victory in Austin. The Huskers have won the last two contests in the series, but prior to 2007, the Longhorns won eight straight contests in a six-year span. The Longhorns hold a 6-1 advantage against Nebraska in Austin.
Dominant Defense
Texas has held its opponents to an average of 53.9 points per contest and a combined 32.9 percent FG shooting, including a 64-of-235 (.272) mark from three-point range. UT has held 12 of its 15 opponents to under 40 percent FG shooting and six to under 30 percent FG shooting. The Longhorns rank fourth nationally in field-goal percentage defense.
Passing it Around
The Longhorns have nearly doubled their opponents in assists through 15 games this season. Texas has recorded 249 assists to its opponents' 142, with senior guard Carla Cortijo dishing out 85. As of the most recent NCAA rankings on Jan. 12, Texas was averaging 16.6 apg, a mark that ranks 18th nationally.
Williams on Point
Senior forward Earnesia Williams has been efficient this season, to say the least. Williams currently leads the team in field goal percentage (41-of-76, .539) and has been perfect from the field in three contests this year (4-of-4 FG -- Dayton, Nov. 15; 5-of-5 FG -- No. 21 Arizona State, Dec. 18; 4-of-4 FG -- Lamar, Jan. 3). Williams has connected on 50 percent or more of her shots in 10 of 14 contests while improving her shooting percentage nearly 14 percent from last season (97-of-241, .402).
Raven Leading the Longhorns
Junior guard Brittainey Raven is living up to her Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention billing, as she has put together 11 double-digit performances in 15 games. Additionally, Raven has led the Longhorns in scoring in nine games and leads Texas with an average of 15.3 ppg.
Leading the League
With Big 12 Conference action underway, the Longhorns find themselves atop the league in five statistical categories (Jan. 10). Through all games, UT leads the league in scoring margin (+24.1), free-throw percentage (236-of-314, .752), field-goal percentage defense (295-of-898, .329), blocked shots (6.5 bpg) and defensive rebounds (29.4 drpg).
UT is one of two schools in the league to rank in the top four in both scoring offense (No. 3, 78.0) and scoring defense (No. 4, 53.9), and the only squad to rank in the top four in both 3-point FG percentage (No. 2, .395) and 3-point FG percentage defense (No. 4, .272).
The Ashleys Dominate
At 6-4, freshman Ashley Gayle shares the title of Tallest Longhorn with senior Ashley Lindsey. The duo share duties in Texas' frontcourt defense and have the potential to be serious threats to offensive attacks, as Lindsey is closing in on Texas' all-time blocks record and Gayle plays above the rim with a flat-footed, non-step vertical reach of 10-2. Lindsey's vertical jump reaches an even 10 feet. Through 15 games, the Ashleys have combined for 41 of Texas' 98 blocks.
Rebounding Rundown
Texas has outrebounded its opponents in all but three of its 15 games. The Longhorns sport a +10.6 rebound margin (43.9-33.3) and have recorded at least a +10 advantage in nine contests. UT posted a season-high 52 rebounds in its 73-59 win over Tennessee on Dec. 14, and most recently outrebounded Texas Tech 44-37 in Lubbock on Jan. 10.
Horns at Home
Now in its 32nd year of play in the Frank Erwin Center, Texas has posted an all-time record of 401-68 (.855) in the building. Texas has an all-time 77-48 (.616) mark against AP Top 25 teams at home, and boasts a 5-2 record under second-year head coach Gail Goestenkors. The Horns have won nine consecutive games at home, a streak that dates back to its 70-55 win over Texas Tech on March 5, 2008.
Lindsey Closing in on Blocks Records
Senior post Ashley Lindsey has amassed 215 blocks in 104 games, placing her third all-time in the UT annals. Lindsey surpassed Tiffany Jackson (2003-07, 181 blocks) on Nov. 16, 2008, with four blocks in Texas' 110-76 victory over Saint Mary's. In addition, Lindsey's 94 single-season rejections during her junior year rank No. 2 in the UT season record books.
Gayle Climbing the Charts
Freshman post Ashley Gayle is quickly making an impact for UT defensively, as she ranks second on the team to senior Ashley Lindsey (2.5 bpg) with 2.3 blocks per game. Known as 'A.G.' to her teammates, Gayle broke into Texas' all-time Top 10 freshmen blocks record with the 23rd block of her career against UTEP on Dec. 28, and currently had 34 blocks on the season.
