The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Southern
No. 2 Men's Basketball routs Southern, 89-56
11.15.2005 | Men's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 11 rebounds and P.J. Tucker added 18 points in their return to the Texas lineup Tuesday night, sending the No. 2 Longhorns to a season-opening 89-56 win over Southern in the first round of the Guardians Classic.
Tucker, who missed 14 games last season because of grade problems, and Aldridge, who sat out 15 games with a hip injury, got off to a quick start, hitting 10 of their first 13 shots. Aldridge tied a career high in points and rebounds with his second career double-double.
Brad Buckman added 16 points for the Longhorns, whose No. 2 ranking ties their highest in school history. Peter Cipriano scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Southern (0-1).
Texas hit 10 3-pointers. The tournament is using an experimental distance of 20 feet, nine inches, one foot deeper than normal.
Tucker was declared academically ineligible midway through last season and Texas went 6-8 without their floor leader, losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It was the first time the Longhorns didn't advance to the round of 16 in four years. Aldridge was sidelined for the same stretch of games with his injury.
Tucker quickly made up for lost time, scoring 10 points in the first nine minutes. On his second basket, a fast-break layup, he ran through the shot and stopped next to a student section of fans, pointing his right index finger in the air.
His return wasn't entirely painless, however. Just a few minutes into the game, Tucker stretched for a steal and hit the floor hard. He stayed there for about a minute, grimacing as he grabbed his left shoulder. He was taken off the bench but returned a few minutes later with no apparent problems.
Once back on the court, Tucker's steal and layup followed by his 3-point play put Texas up 23-13.
Aldridge, a 6-foot-10 center who used his time off the court to add 15 pounds of muscle in the weight room, hit eight of his first nine shots and displayed a nifty hook that he used with ease over the much smaller Jaguars. His dunk on a putback of a Tucker miss gave Texas a 32-16 lead with 6:47 left in the first half.
Texas led 51-38 with 17 minutes left in the second when a layup by Aldridge sparked a 14-0 run that stretched it to 65-38.
POSTGAME QUOTES
SOUTHERN
Head Coach Rob Spivery
On the game against Texas: With this being our first game of the season, the first actual competition with an opponent beside ourselves, I thought we did a lot of the things we wanted the players to do tonight. To come into an environment such as this, with the number three-rated team in the country, it was tough for us coming in. Texas is a very good basketball team. They are rated number three for a reason. They took us out of some of the things we wanted to do offensively.
On LaMarcus Aldridge: I did not realize that Aldridge was as long as he is. He covers a lot of ground out there and he is very tough to defend. He is a tough cover. Tonight it was tough on us because of the size, the strength and the quickness around the basket.
Deforres Riley-Smith
On the game: It was good to be back after transferring. I didn't realize how physical it would be, that is what Texas has on us, they are really physical. I don't feel I was conditioned well enough, but it's like riding a bike - once you get back into it, you're fine.
TEXAS
Head Coach Rick Barnes
On the game: I was pleased with tonight. The effort was there. It is hard when you start subbing in like we did. The first half LaMarcus (Aldridge) did a good job, Daniel (Gibson) did a good job looking down the court and distributing the ball well. While PJ was a little overaggressive, I don't mind because I like that in him. We just have to clean it up a little bit.
On P.J. Tucker: Just look at him. He was seven for eleven, and he took two shots he shouldn't have, so it's really seven for nine. He made his free throws, and he was productive. He is working harder than he has ever worked on defense. I want him on my team.
On LaMarcus Aldridge: He is a totally different player from last year. He changed his body but his attitude has always been the same. His stamina is really good and he does all the little things. I think he'd be in the NBA if he hadn't gotten hurt last year. He doesn't surprise me because he listens and does everything I ask. He is the total package.
P.J. Tucker
On the difference in his game: I think I am real versatile. I can play four positions on the court and I worked real hard on the intangibles like defense and shot selection. I'm playing harder this season with every possession, because once that possession is gone, you can't get it back.
On his feelings and emotions: Whenever I play, I take the same attitude everywhere I go, whether it is practice, an exhibition or a game. Every day I go out and do my best. After last year I won't take anything for granted.
On LaMarcus Aldridge: He played great tonight; you couldn't have asked him to play any better. He had some key blocks and great shots.
LaMarcus Aldridge
On his progression from last year: I am just much better all around since last year. I don't think someone would recognize me on the court now if they had seen me last year. My biggest improvement is my strength; I am much stronger this year. I also gained a lot of weight and look more comfortable on the court.
On P.J. Tucker: He is like match-up problem. If you put a big guy against him, he'll go around him. If you put a small guy against him, he'll post him up.
