The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma
Men's Basketball claims share of Big 12 title
03.05.2006 | Men's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Daniel Gibson scored 22 points and No. 6 Texas won a share of its first Big 12 title since 1999 with a 72-48 win Sunday over No. 19 Oklahoma, a victory that also secured a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
Texas (25-5, 13-3) shares the Big 12 title with Kansas, a team the Longhorns beat by 25 a week earlier, but gets the top seed in the conference tournament because of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Gibson had six assists and hit four of Texas' nine 3-pointers. P.J. Tucker added 13 points for the Longhorns, who went undefeated in conference play at home. Texas set a school record for most wins in a regular season and ended a three-game losing streak to the Sooners.
Taj Gray scored 10 to lead Oklahoma (20-7, 11-5). Michael Neal, who came in averaging five 3-pointers over the previous six games, finished with two for six points.
Texas had a chance to win the title outright after beating Kansas, but blundered away that opportunity with a 46-43 loss at Texas A&M when Tucker dribbled out the shot clock to set up A&M's winning shot in the final second.
Given another chance at the title, Texas never let this one get close.
Gibson, who has struggled with streaky shooting and tendinitis in his knee, hit three 3-pointers in the first half. The Longhorns defense forced eight turnovers and held the Sooners without a basket during a 10-minute stretch as Texas slowly built a double-digit lead.
In the first meeting with the Sooners, an 82-72 Oklahoma win, the Longhorns got no points off their bench. Guard A.J. Abrams ended that drought with two 3-pointers in the final 3 minutes of the first half.
The Longhorns hit 6-of-12 from long range to take a 33-23 lead into halftime
Texas opened the second with an 8-2 run to push the lead to 16. Tucker hit a leaning bank shot high off the backboard and Brad Buckman, a sneaky 3-point shooter at power forward, stepped to the top of the arc for Texas' first 3 of the second half.
Texas then started going inside.
LaMarcus Aldridge hit a baseline jumper and Gibson finished a fast break with a dish to Buckman for a two-handed dunk over two defenders.
Sooners coach Kelvin Sampson might have missed the play. Complaining that Buckman wasn't called for a foul on the other end the floor, Sampson was flailing his arms and inadvertently knocked one of the officials into the scorer's table just as Buckman went up for the slam that put Texas up 47-31.
The Sooners outrebounded Texas 28-27 but never fought their way back in the game.
Gibson hit his fourth 3-pointer from the corner, then added a pair of free throws. Tucker drove the baseline to draw three defenders, then shot a pass out to Abrams for another 3 and a 57-35 Texas lead with 7:40 to play.
From there, it was a matter of nursing the lead through the final minutes. Gibson coasted in for two easy layups then dumped another pass behind a defender to feed another dunk, this time by Aldridge.
Team Notes
- With the win, Texas clinched a share of the Big 12 regular season title and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big 12 Championship.
- The all time series between the two schools is now 22-45 in Oklahoma's favor and 8-13 under head coach Rick Barnes.
- Texas now sports a 6-2 mark against AP Top 25 opposition. UT is 19-8 under Barnes in the Erwin Center against AP Top 25 teams.
- With the win, the Longhorns set a new school record for most regular-season victories (25).
- Texas has now posted a 16-1 mark in home games this season and a perfect 8-0 in Big 12 home games.
- Daniel Gibson, Kenton Paulino and A.J. Abrams combined in the game for a 13-to-1 assist to turnover margin.
- In four years, seniors Brad Buckman and Paulino have helped guide Texas to a 96-31 (.756) overall record, including a 59-4 (.937) mark in the Erwin Center.
Individual Notes
Daniel Gibson
- Gibson scored 22 points in the game marking his first 20-point game since Jan. 28 at Oklahoma, spanning nine games.
- In 16 league games, Gibson has averaged 14.8 ppg while converting 41.3% (50-of-121) from three-point range.
- He finished with six assists and zero turnovers in the game, the most since recording six against Missouri on Feb. 1.
- With four three-pointers in the game, Gibson moves into ninth place on the Texas all-time career three-pointer list with 158, passing Lance Blanks who totaled 156 from 1989-90.
- He also moves into a tie for sixth place on UT's single-season three-pointers list with 84, matching B.J. Tyler's mark from 1991-92.
A.J. Abrams
- Abrams totaled 11 points on the night for his seventh double-figure scoring game of the season.
- He finished the game with a 5-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. The five assists marked the most for the freshman since recording five against Oklahoma State on Jan. 23.
Postgame quotes
Texas Head Coach Rick Barnes
On the Big 12 regular season title: Obviously it was a goal we had at the beginning of the season. At the start of the year looking at our schedule we knew we had a target on our backs and I am proud of the way the team handled it. I'm very proud of the fact that the guys got it done the way they did on the court. This has been a very fun team to be around.
On Daniel Gibson: Daniel was really good today. We were a little concerned about how much he had been able to practice, but we felt that he needed a rest. Today, I thought that his penetration was key and his defense was great. He just played terrific.
On going into post season play: The most important thing is keeping the guys fresh, especially if they are nicked up. I know that our guys need a rest and that's why we're going to take two days off, and after practice on Wednesday we're going to head on up to Dallas. The guys that do the best during this time of the season are the guys that understand the mental and physical aspects of this game.
Texas Sophomore Guard Daniel Gibson
On the Big 12 regular season title: It feels good to hold that trophy. We knew after Wednesday that we would have to just bounce back and keep improving. Now we have to focus in on the Big 12 Tournament.
On playing more aggressive: It is a great rivalry, but you have to play that way against any team in the Big 12. I was able to do a lot more things today besides score. My teammates keep telling me I need to be more aggressive and they really helped get me riled up.
Texas Junior Forward P.J. Tucker
On a satisfying win: It was great to send the season out with a bang. We were really motivated by Wednesday's loss at A&M. It was great to go out there, go hard every play, and take this win.
On the difference between this game and the loss in Norman: We were able to move better in the zone tonight. Overall, our defense was better. The guys did a great job of posting up on guys like Michael Neal and Terrell Everett. We played good defense, executed on offense, and just played a better game.
Texas Freshman Guard A.J. Abrams
On taking open shots: Last week in practice Coach Barnes emphasized that I needed to take the open shots when I had them. He told me that it was hurting the team if I didn't. I wasn't really looking for the open shots, just taking them when I had the chance.
Oklahoma Head Coach Kelvin Sampson
General Comments: Our team has thrived all year. We had some adversity and then we bounced back. Next weekend we go to the Big 12 Tournament, and I expect us to bounce back and play very well there.
On home court: Well, when you play at home, you're pretty good. Look at the Kansas game that was here. But, I don't know if home court had much to do today with our energy level and how hard we played or competed. I didn't think we were very good in those areas. Texas is good and I think they are going to go a long way in the tournament too.
Oklahoma Senior Forward Kevin Bookout
On Texas' play: They were hungrier than we were. When they came out they kind of hit us in the mouth and we never hit back. When you play a team like Texas, you just have to keep receiving their blows and keep firing back at them. If you can stay in it until the last five minutes and give yourself a chance, that is all you can look for.
On the reason for the loss: I don't know. We have one of the best coaching staff in the nation and Coach Sampson will figure it out, put his finger on it. I trust him more than anyone in the world. We have a great basketball program here and we'll figure it out by Friday, there's no doubt.
