The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Basketball preview: StubHub! Legends Classic Championship game vs. Tennessee
11.24.2007 | Men's Basketball
#15/16 TEXAS (4-0) vs. #7/7 Tennessee (5-0)
StubHub! Legends Classic Championship Game
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 - 6 p.m. Central
The Prudential Center (18,000) - Newark, N.J.
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by Versus. Rich Ackerman (pxp) and Jim O'Brien (color) 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. Craig Way (pxp) and Eddie Oran (color) will call the action. Check www.TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
SERIES: Tennessee leads, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Tennessee 111-105 ot (Dec. 23, 2006; Knoxville).
StubHub! Legends Classic
This marks the first year of the StubHub! Legends Classic. New Mexico State, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia served as regional host sites and automatically advanced to the Championship Rounds.
Semifinals & Championship Schedule/Results (All times Central)
Friday, Nov. 23
Texas 102, New Mexico State 87
Tennessee 74, West Virginia 72
Saturday, Nov. 24
New Mexico State vs. West Virginia, 3:30 p.m.
Texas vs. Tennessee, 6 p.m. (VERSUS)
Series vs. Tennessee
Saturday's contest marks the sixth meeting between Texas and Tennessee, but it is the fourth consecutive year that the two schools have faced each other on the hardcourt. Tennessee leads all-time series by a 3-2 count. In the first matchup between the two schools, the Vols recorded a 66-59 victory in Knoxville on Dec. 20, 1952. The Horns then posted a 77-73 win in a neutral-site game (Little Rock, Ark.) on Dec. 21, 1960. Then 15th-ranked Texas registered a 95-70 victory in the third-place game of the Maui Invitational on Nov. 24, 2004. In Austin, the Volunteers recorded a 95-78 win on Dec. 17, 2005. Tennessee then posted a 111-105 overtime victory last year in Knoxville (Dec. 23, 2006).
Texas - Tennessee Flashback
Tennessee 111, Texas 105 ot (Dec. 23, 2006; Knoxville): Chris Lofton had a career-high 35 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Volunteers to a six-point overtime victory. Lofton had 20 points in the second half to rally Tennessee from a 17-point deficit with 19:23 left in regulation. He then added seven points during the overtime session. Texas played an outstanding first half, converting 51.6% from the floor, including 7-of-12 three-pointers, while holding the Vols to just 30.6% FG shooting. Tennessee jumped out to an 11-5 advantage following a JaJuan Smith jumper with 17:29 remaining. Texas tightened up on the defensive end and used an 11-0 run over the next six minutes to grab a 16-11 lead at the 11:46 mark. Leading 31-25 following a Lofton three-pointer with 5:49 remaining, Texas used back-to-back threes from Justin Mason and a pair of Kevin Durant free throws to build a 39-25 cushion at the 4:30 mark. The Horns pushed their lead to as much as 17 points (47-30) after a J.D. Lewis three with 1:52 left before settling for a 50-35 advantage at the break. Trailing 52-35 following a Durant jumper at the 19:23 mark, Tennessee began its comeback behind the combination of Lofton and Duke Crews. Crews had 14 of his 16 points in the second half. Crews hit three straight jumpers to pull the Vols within 52-42 at the 18:05 mark. After Texas pushed the lead back to 15 (57-42), Tennessee used a 10-0 spurt in the next two minutes to cut the gap to 57-52 with 14:40 left. A.J. Abrams hit three 3-pointers in the following three minutes to keep the cushion at nine points (69-60) at the 11:16 mark. The Vols responded with a 7-0 spurt to get within 69-67 with 9:02 left. After a pair of Lofton free throws trimmed the gap to a single point (75-74) at the 6:26 mark, Texas used an 11-4 spurt to take an 86-78 lead with 2:53 left. Tennessee rallied behind a Crews jumper, a Lofton three, another Crews jumper and finally a 30-foot jumper by Lofton to grab an 88-87 lead with 18 seconds remaining. After a Ramar Smith free throw pushed the Vols lead to 89-87, a Durant runner with two seconds left sent the game to overtime. In the extra session, Tennessee hit 6-of-7 field goals in the opening four minutes to build a 105-97 lead with 54 seconds left. The Vols then hit 6-of-8 free throws in the final minute to hold on for the win. Lofton converted 7-of-16 threes and 12-of-13 free throws in the victory. Durant paced the Horns with 26 points and eight boards, while D.J. Augustin added 20 points and a career-high 13 assists. Abrams (17) and Mason (15) also reached double figures in points for Texas, while Damion James had a game-high 14 boards.
Texas - New Mexico State Game Notes
- Texas improved to 4-0 to start the year for the fourth time in the last six seasons.
- Texas hit 16-of-26 three-point field goals during the win. The 16 threes were two shy of the school record (18 vs. Kansas State on Jan. 12, 1997). - UT converted 73.9% (17-of-23) from the floor in the second half. This marked the fifth-best percentage in a half in school history (since 1965-66). - Texas hit 11-of-19 three-pointers in the first half. The 11 threes tied for the second-highest total in a half in school history and was one shy of the record (12 vs. Kansas State in 2nd half on Jan. 12, 1997).
- All five Texas starters reached double figures in scoring for the first time this year.
- A.J. Abrams set a career high with 31 points (previous high was 30 vs. Arkansas-Monticello in UT's previous game on Nov. 18, 2007). He topped the 30-point mark for the second straight game. Abrams reached the 20-point mark for the third straight contest and 12th time in his career (76 games). He reached double digits in scoring for the 42nd time in his career. Abrams also extended his consecutive games streak with a made 3-pointer to 42.
- A.J. Abrams set a career high in 3-pointers made (9-of-12). He previously converted eight 3-pointers on two occasions. The nine 3-pointers were one shy of the UT single-game record (10 by Al Coleman vs. Kansas State on Jan. 12, 1997).
- For the second straight game, A.J. Abrams tied the UT record for most 3-point field goals made in a half. Abrams hit 6-of-9 from three-point range in the first half. It marked the seventh time a UT player had hit six 3-pointers in a half. Abrams is now responsible for four of those efforts.
- D.J. Augustin (25 points, 10 assists) recorded his second double-double of the year and fifth of his career (39 games). He reached the 20-point mark for the first time this season and eighth time in his career. Augustin reached double figures in scoring for the third time this year and 28th time in his career.
- D.J. Augustin set a career high in field goals made (11-of-15). His previous high was nine on two occasions. Augustin also tied his career high in steals (four).
- Connor Atchley (15 points) reached double digits in points for the third straight game and sixth time in his career (68 games). He tied his career high in points and set a new career best in field goals made (6-of-8) and three-pointers made (3-of-4). Atchley also logged a career high in minutes played (38).
- Damion James (12 points) reached double figures in points for the second time this year and the 14th time in his career (39 games).
- Justin Mason (11 points) reached double figures in points for the second time this season and the 13th time in his career (39 games). He also posted a career-high four steals, all coming in the first half.
Success Against the Top 25
During his 10 seasons in Austin, Rick Barnes has registered a school-record 39 career victories against AP Top 25 opponents (previous mark: 10 by Tom Penders, 1989-98). Barnes has guided the Horns to a 39-45 (.464) record against ranked teams. Barnes has posted 69 career victories against AP Top 25 foes.
Offensive Fireworks
Texas has reached the 100-point plateau in each of its last two games entering Saturday's contest. This marks the first time since the 2001-02 season that the Horns have accomplished the feat. Texas defeated Colorado 104-95 at home on Feb. 9, 2002, before dropping a 110-103 overtime decision to No. 2 Kansas at home on Feb. 11, 2002.
Efficient Offense
Texas converted a season-best 62.3% (38-of-61) from the floor in Friday's semifinal victory. In the second half of Friday's win, the Longhorns hit 17-of-23 (.739) field goals. This marked the fifth-best field goal percentage mark in a half in school history (dating back to the 1965-66 season) and the best effort since the 1999-2000 season. Texas shot 76.2% (16-of-21) in the second half against No. 16 Oklahoma at home on Jan. 15, 2000.
More on the Offense
Texas has been very efficient at the offensive end of the floor in each of its last three games entering Saturday's contest. The Horns have hit better than 50% from the floor and from three-point range in all three games. UT hit 30-of-55 (.545) from the floor and 7-of-14 (.500) from three-point range in the home win against UC Davis (Nov. 16). The Longhorns then converted 37-of-66 (.561) and 15-of-26 (.577) from beyond the arc in Sunday's home win against Arkansas-Monticello. In Friday's semifinal, UT hit 38-of-61 (.623) from the floor and 16-of-26 (.615) from three-point range. In the last three games, Texas has converted 105-of-182 (.577) from the floor and 38-of-66 (.576) from three-point range.
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. The Horns have limited their first four opponents to an average of 54.5 points per game and a combined 32.9% FG shooting (72-of-219). In the season-opening win against UTSA, Texas held the Roadrunners to 37 points on 26.7% FG shooting (12-of-45). The Horns then limited UC Davis to 42 points on 30.2% FG shooting (13-of-43). Texas held Arkansas-Monticello to 52 points on 23.9% FG shooting (17-of-71). Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 147 of their 306 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 133-14 (.905) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Second-Half Dominance
Texas has been a dominant team in the second half of its first four games to start the 2007-08 season. The Horns outscored UTSA 36-18 in the second half of the season opener and limited the Roadrunners to just 25.0% FG shooting (6-of-24) in the final 20 minutes. In the win against UC Davis, Texas posted a 38-13 margin and held the Aggies to 18.2% FG shooting (4-of-22) in the second half. UT scored 51 points on 65.5% FG shooting (19-of-29), including a 72.7% mark (8-of-11) from three-point range, in last Sunday's win against Arkansas-Monticello. In Friday's victory against New Mexico State, the Longhorns hit 17-of-23 field goals (.739), including 5-of-7 (.714) from three-point range, whilie limiting the Aggies to 40.6% FG shooting (13-of-32).
Success from Beyond the Arc
Texas is once again finding success from beyond the arc. UT has converted 52.4% (43-of-82) from three-point range during its first four games this year. Texas went 15-of-26 (.577) from long-distance in last Sunday's win against Arkansas-Monticello. The Horns followed that effort by converting 16-of-26 (.615) from three-point range during Friday's semifinal win against New Mexico State. In the last two games, Texas has hit 59.6% (31-of-52) from beyond the arc.
Winning the Turnover Battle
Despite fielding one of the youngest teams in the nation last year, the Longhorns did an excellent job of taking care of the ball. Texas averaged just 12.4 turnovers per contest in 2006-07. UT recorded more assists than turnovers in 21 of its 35 games. The Horns have picked up right where they left off in their first four games this season. UT has averaged just 10.0 turnovers per game through the first four contests. The Horns have posted a 65-to-40 assist-to-turnover ratio in their first four games.
Augustin Sees Double
Sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin continued his solid start to the 2007-08 campaign during Friday's semifinal win. Augustin posted 25 points (11-of-15 FG, 2-of-4 threes) and 10 assists to go along with four steals in the victory against New Mexico State. This marked his second double-double (points/assists) in his first four games. He earlier had 10 points and 11 assists against UC Davis (Nov. 16). For the year, Augustin is averaging 15.5 points (second on the team) and 7.8 assists per game. He has converted 55.8% from the floor (24-of-43), 47.1% (8-of-17) from three-point range and has a 2.1-to-1 (31-to-15) assist-to-turnover ratio.
Augustin's Big Night
D.J. Augustin set a career high in field goals made (11-of-15) during Friday's semifinal win. His previous high was nine (twice before). Augustin tallied 20 of his 25 points in the second half and also tied his career high in steals (four).
Abrams Getting Better by the Year
A.J. Abrams is the most experienced player in the Texas lineup, having played in all 76 games to date in his career. Through the first four games, Abrams leads the team in scoring (23.3 ppg) while converting 59.5% (22-of-37) from three-point range.
Abrams and 30
A.J. Abrams has reached the 30-point mark in each of the last two games entering Saturday's contest. Abrams is averaging 30.5 points per game while converting 21-of-32 (.656) field goals, including 17-of-24 (.708) from three-point range, during the last two games. He had 30 points while hitting 11-of-17 field goals (8-of-12 threes) in 26 minutes during Sunday's home win against Arkansas-Monticello. Abrams followed with a career-high 31 points while converting 10-of-15 field goals (9-of-12 threes) in 34 minutes during Friday's semifinal victory against New Mexico State. The nine 3-pointers marked a career high for Abrams and tied the second-highest single-game mark in school history (just one shy of the school record: 10 by Al Coleman vs. Kansas State on Jan. 12, 1997).
Abrams Prefers Triples
A.J. Abrams has picked up right where he left off last year in his long-range shooting prowess. In the first four games this season, Abrams has converted 59.5% (22-of-37) from beyond the arc. Last year, Abrams set the Big 12 and UT single-season record for most threes made. He converted 120-of-284 (.423) three-pointers on the year. Abrams ranked ninth nationally in three-point field goals made per game (3.4). Entering Saturday's game, Abrams ranks first in school history in career three-point field goal percentage (.428), sixth in career three-pointers made (188) and has hit at least one 3-pointer in 42 straight games (streak dates back to the NCAA Tournament Second Round game against North Carolina State on March 19, 2006).
Did You Know
A.J. Abrams tied the UT record for most three-pointers made in a half by converting 6-of-9 threes in the first half during Friday's win. This marked the seventh time a Texas player has hit six 3-pointers in a half in school history. Abrams is responsible for four of those seven efforts, and he has now done it in back-to-back games (6-of-10 in first half on Sunday against Arkansas-Monticello).
A.J. at the Stripe
A.J. Abrams has established himself as one of the top free throw shooters in UT history. Abrams holds school records for both career and single-season free throw percentage. He has converted 90.8% from the line in his career (119-of-131). Abrams is 5-of-5 from the stripe this season.
The Glue Guy
Sophomore combo guard Justin Mason ranks fifth on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg), third in rebounding (3.5 rpg) and second in minutes played (32.8 mpg). He also has posted 13 assists (second on the team) against just four turnovers. Mason had 11 points (4-of-7 FG) to go along with a career-high four steals during Friday's semifinal win. He has reached double figures in scoring in two of UT's first four games.
James Brings Versatility
Sophomore guard/forward Damion James leads the team in rebounding (8.3 rpg) and ranks in a tie for third in scoring (10.0 ppg). He also is third on the team in blocks (five). James had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists without a turnover in 31 minutes during Friday's semifinal win. He has reached double figures in scoring in two of UT's first four games.
Atchley Continues to Improve
Junior forward/center Connor Atchley is off to a solid start to the 2007-08 season. Through the first four games, Atchley ranks in a tie for third on the team in scoring (10.0 ppg) and leads the squad in blocks (eight). He has converted 65.4% FG (17-of-26), including 5-of-7 (.714) from three-point range. Atchley has reached double figures in scoring in each of his last three games and is averaging 12.3 ppg during the stretch.
Atchley's Career Night
Connor Atchley had one of his most productive performances in his career during Friday's semifinal win against New Mexico State. Atchley tied his career high in points (15) and set career bests in field goals made (6-of-8), three-point field goals made (3-of-4) and minutes played (38).
Frosh Duo in the Frontcourt
A pair of freshmen, Clint Chapman and Alexis Wangmene, have earned their way into the playing rotation in the froncourt. Wangmene is second on the team in rebounding (3.8 rpg) and blocked shots (seven) and sixth in scoring (6.5 ppg). He is averaging 16.5 mpg off the bench and has converted 7-of-10 field goals and 12-of-15 (.800) free throws. Wangmene has at least two blocked shots in each of his last three games. Chapman is averaging 2.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 11.8 mpg while hitting 4-of-7 field goals through the first four contests.
Three-Point Streak
The last time Texas did not convert a three-pointer in a contest came on Dec. 18, 1990, in an 87-84 overtime victory at UC-Santa Barbara. The Horns were 0-of-2 from beyond the arc on that day. The Longhorns enter Saturday's game having hit at least one 3-pointer in 549 consecutive games. In fact, UT has converted at least one three in 677 of 684 games since the trey was introduced prior to the 1986-87 season. The Horns have failed to attempt at least one 3-pointer just one time in school history (Feb. 24, 1988; at TCU, 69-55 win).
Year 10 at Texas for Barnes
The all-time winningest coach in Texas Baskeball history, head coach Rick Barnes is in his 10th season at Texas and sports a 220-86 (.719) mark with the Horns. He has compiled a 422-220 (.657) record in 21 years as a head coach at George Mason, Providence, Clemson and Texas. Along the way, he has guided his teams to a total of 15 NCAA (current streak of 12 consecutive) and three NIT appearances.
