The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Basketball preview: Lamar
11.29.2010 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2010
Complete Notes 
#19/20 Texas (5-1) vs. Lamar (4-2)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 7 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,734) - Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised by the Longhorn Sports Network. Kevin Eschenfelder (pxp) and Reid Gettys (analyst) will call the action. The game will be broadcast in the state of Texas only by FOX Sports Southwest (except in Houston market where game is on FOX Sports Plus). The contest will be available outside the state of Texas on the ESPN Full Court package.
RADIO: The Longhorn Sports Network and KVET (FM 98.1/1300 AM Sportsradio The Zone) broadcast every UT game on the statewide network and on XM Satellite Radio Ch. 231. Craig Way (pxp) and Eddie Oran (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
SERIES: Texas leads, 4-0. Last meeting: Texas 96-82 (Dec. 27, 1995; Beaumont)
Series vs. Lamar
Wednesday's contest marks the fifth meeting between Texas and Lamar. The Longhorns hold a 4-0 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to an 81-61 Texas victory on Dec. 5, 1953 in Austin. The two teams later faced each other three consecutive years (1994-96). UT posted a 105-75 win in Austin on Feb. 21, 1994. The following year (Nov. 29, 1994), the Horns registered a 97-54 victory in Austin. In the last meeting between the two schools (Dec. 27, 1995), Texas recorded a 96-82 victory in Beaumont.
Lone Star State Success
Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, the Longhorns have emerged as the dominant college basketball program in the state of Texas. The Horns have posted a 102-15 (.872) record against in-state foes during the Barnes era, including marks of 24-4 against Baylor, 18-7 against Texas A&M and 23-3 against Texas Tech.
Horns at Home
Texas is in its 34th year of play in the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns have posted an all-time record of 395-93 (.809) in the building. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, UT has recorded a 170-22 (.885) mark at the Erwin Center, including an 81-15 (.844) record in Big 12 Conference home games. Texas is 80-7 (.920) at the Erwin Center in the last six seasons (dating to the start of the 2005-06 season).
Non-Conference Home Winning Streak
Texas enters Wednesday's contest against Lamar with a streak of 22 consecutive victories in non-conference home games. The last time the Longhorns lost a non-conference contest at the Erwin Center came in a 67-66 defeat to Wisconsin on Dec. 29, 2007. UT posted a perfect 9-0 mark in non-conference home games last year and went 7-0 in non-conference home contests in 2008-09. Since the start of the 2002-03 season, the Longhorns have posted a 67-2 mark in non-conference home games.
Rice Game Notes
- The Longhorns posted a 32-27 advantage on the glass. UT has won the rebounding battle in each of its first six games.
- Texas converted 9-of-15 (.600) from three-point range in the second half. Nine of UT's 12 field goals made in the second half were from beyond the arc.
- Cory Joseph (14 points) set a career high in points and led UT in scoring for the first time this year. He reached double figures in points for the second time this season. Joseph also set career highs in field goals made (5-of-8) and three-point field goals made (4-of-6).
- Jordan Hamilton (13 points) reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time this season and 24th time in his career (40 games). He set a season high in assists (three).
- Tristan Thompson (10 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks) recorded his first collegiate double-double. He reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time this year. Thompson set a career high in rebounds. He has blocked at least two shots in five straight games.
- Jai Lucas tied his UT career high in assists (three) without a turnover and set his UT career high in minutes (30).
Barnes Goes for 300th win at Texas
Rick Barnes enters Wednesday's game against Lamar with a mark of 299-116 (.720) during his 13 years at Texas. A win on Wednesday would give Barnes his 300th win with the Longhorns. Barnes is already the all-time winningest coach in UT history. Tom Penders (1989-98) ranks second in program history in coaching wins with a mark of 208-110 (.654).
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. UT has held its first six opponents to an average of 61.8 ppg on 35.3% FG shooting, including a 31-of-105 (.295) mark from three-point range. Texas has limited four of its first six opponents this year to below 40% FG shooting. The Horns also have allowed just 54 assists against 82 turnovers through the first six contests. Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 199 of their 415 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 181-18 (.910) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Thompson Sees Double
Tristan Thompson recorded his first collegiate double-double during Saturday's win against Rice. Thompson posted 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds (six offensive) to go along with two assists, two blocks and one steal in 34 minutes.
Thompson's Block Party
Tristan Thompson leads the team in blocked shots (15) through the first six games this year. In each of the last five contests, Thompson has posted at least two blocks. He recorded a career-high five blocks in the overtime win against No. 13/16 Illinois (Nov. 18).
Joseph Doing a Little Bit of Everything
Cory Joseph has been called the team's "most complete guard" by coach Rick Barnes. Through his first six collegiate games, Joseph is averaging 8.0 points (fifth on the team), 3.5 rebounds (fifth on the team), 3.2 assists (tops on the team) and ranks second on the squad in minutes played (31.3 mpg). He posted 10 points (6-of-8 FT), three rebounds, two blocks, one assist without a turnover and a steal in 38 minutes during the overtime win against No. 13/16 Illinois (Nov. 18). Joseph recorded a career-high 14 points (5-of-8 FG, 4-of-6 threes) and three assists without a turnover in 34 minutes in Saturday's win against Rice.
Lucas Finds His Role
Senior guard Jai Lucas (first name is pronounced Jay) returns for his first full season in the backcourt rotation. He played in 23 games (one start) last year after becoming eligible on Dec. 19 against No. 10/10 North Carolina (NCAA transfer rules). Lucas led the team in three-point FG percentage (.462, 12-of-26) and recorded a 33-to-17 (1.94 ratio) assist-to-turnover ratio last year. He transferred from Florida and enrolled in classes at Texas beginning in the Spring 2009 semester. Lucas is averaging 5.0 points in 17.8 minutes per contest through the first six games this season. He had eight points and three assists in 14 minutes against Louisiana Tech (Nov. 10). Lucas posted eight points and three assists without a turnover in 30 minutes (a career high while at Texas) during Saturday's win against Rice.
