The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women's Basketball preview: Rutgets (Paradise Jam Tournament)
11.27.2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2009
Complete game notes
#13/14 TEXAS (3-2) vs. Rutgers (4-2)
PARADISE JAM TOURNAMENT - REEF DIVISION
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 - 7 p.m. Central
UVI Sports and Fitness Center (3,000) - St. Thomas, USVI
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: None. Live video feed provided by FSC Broadband is available for a subscription-based fee. Brenda VanLengen will handle the call.
RADIO: KVET (1300 AM Sportsradio The Zone) will broadcast Saturday's game between Texas and Rutgers. Jon Madani (pxp) and Carol Ross (analyst) will call the action.
SERIES: Texas leads, 6-5. Last meeting: Rutgers 63-49 (Dec. 30, 2005; New Brunswick, N.J.)
NOTABLES
- HOT FROM THE FIELD ... Guards Kathleen Nash and Brittainey Raven have been consistent scorers for Texas early this season, as each player is averaging better than 50 percent from the field. Raven is 22-of-40 FG for 55 percent through five games, while Nash is hitting shots at a 50 percent clip (28-of-56). Nash also leads Texas from long distance, as she is 11-of-19 for 57.9 percent.
- KAT UNLEASHED ... Junior guard Kathleen Nash has been on the attack in Texas' first five games. She is leading the Longhorns in two important statistical categories with 15.4 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Additionally, Nash is a nearly perfect 10-of-12 from the free throw line, and has added seven assists and five steals this season.
- UP NEXT ... Following Saturday's finale of the Paradise Jam, the Horns will return home to host Oral Roberts on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. UT will hit the road next weekend to face its third ranked opponent of the season in Tennessee.
SERIES VS. RUTGERS
Saturday's contest marks the 12th meeting between Texas and Rutgers. The Longhorns hold a 6-5 all-time advantage over the Scarlet Knights, with their six victories coming in consecutive meetings spanning from 1986 - 92. Rutgers has won the last four contests, including the most recent clash between the perrenial powers - a 63-49 victory in New Brunswick, N.J., on Dec. 30, 2005.
Series Quick Facts
Overall Series Record - Texas, 6-5
Most UT points - 86 (Dec. 29, 1987)
Most RU points - 83 (Mar. 28, 1982)
Fewest UT points - 47 (Jan. 2, 2005)
Fewest RU points - 51 (Jan. 2, 2005)
Biggest UT margin - 26 (Jan. 25, 1992)
Biggest RU margin - 14 (Dec. 30, 2005)
In overtime - N/A
PARADISE JAM FLASHBACK
The Longhorns are returning to the Paradise Jam Tournament for the first time since 2001 - when they captured the St. Thomas Division championship. A then-unranked Texas team defeated No. 23 Wisconsin (75-70) and Southern Cal (66-64) for the title, and Stacy Stephens was tabbed division MVP.
A CHECK OF THE POLLS
Texas is ranked No. 13 in the latest Associated Press poll (Nov. 23) and No. 14 in the latest ESPN/USA Today poll (Nov. 24). UT faced its first of seven opponents in the regular season that are ranked in the current polls in No. 1/1 Connecticut (L, 58-83) on Nov. 13 in San Antonio, and followed with a victory over No. 19/22 Mississippi State (73-55) on Nov. 26. The Horns' other contests against the Top 25 include No. 6/5 Tennessee (Dec. 6 in Knoxville), No. 8/8 Baylor (Jan. 31 in Austin, March 7 in Waco), No. 11/7 Texas A&M (Jan. 9 in Austin, Feb. 20 in College Station), No. 18/23 Kansas (Feb. 13 in Lawrence) and No. 20/17 Oklahoma (Feb. 3 in Norman, Feb. 27 in Austin).
TEXAS DEPTH
Although Texas' roster lists just 10 players, head coach Gail Goestenkors is seeing production in all statistical categories from each member. Through five games this season, five players are averaging 20 minutes or more per game, and four are seeing between 15-20 minutes in every outing. Additionally, all 10 are contributing points and rebounds in each contest.
LAST TIME OUT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (NOV. 27)
Junior guard Kathleen Nash scored a game-high 17 points (5-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 3FG, 3-of-4 FT) and senior guard Brittainey Raven added 15 more (6-of-10 FG, 1-of-4 3FG, 2-of-3 FT), but it wasn't enough for No. 13 Texas to overcome Southern California on Friday night in the Paradise Jam. USC (2-3) claimed a 61-54 upset to hand Texas (3-2) its second loss of the season. The Women of Troy shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the field, while the Longhorns were 18-of-59 for 30.5 percent. Texas trailed by as many as 14 points at the midway point in the second half, but Nash hit three 3-point baskets in a two-minute span to bring UT within four, 55-51, with 3:06 remaining. The Longhorns could not overcome the Women of Troy down the stretch as they hit three-consecutive layups to put the game away.
NASH BETTER BY THE YEAR
Guard Kathleen Nash has consistently improved her scoring and rebounding averages during her career at UT, and her junior year is no exception. Through four games, Nash is leading the Horns in scoring (15.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg), all while besting her previous season stats on the Forty Acres.
Kat Nash: By the Numbers
Stat Fr. - So. - Jr.
Points per game 8.3 - 11.4 - 15.4
Rebounds per game 6.3 - 6.6 - 7.0
Double-doubles 2 - 4 - 0
20+ point games 0 - 5 - 3
POWER IN THE POST POSITION
With a pair of 6-4 posts in sophomore Ashley Gayle and freshman Cokie Reed, UT's frontcourt could prove to be serious threats to opponents' offensive attacks. Together, the duo is averaging 10.2 rpg (Gayle - 6.0, Reed - 4.2), and Gayle has accounted for 60 percent of Texas' blocks (15 of 25).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
After facing top-ranked UConn in the second game of the season and No. 19 Mississippi State in the fourth, Texas is expected to face five more opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 during 2009-10. During its non-conference schedule, the Horns will face the Lady Vols in addition to the Huskies and Lady Bulldogs. Here's a look at this season's results (ranking at time of game):
Nov. 17 vs. #1 UConn L, 58-83
Nov. 26 vs. #19 Mississippi St. W, 73-55
