The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Basketball preview: Louisiana Tech (2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer)
11.09.2010 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2010
Complete Notes 
#NR/25 Texas (1-0) vs. Louisiana Tech (0-0)
2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer Regional Round
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - 8 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,734) - Austin, Texas
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU. Carter Blackburn (pxp) and Reid Gettys (analyst) 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 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, 2-0. Last meeting: Texas 58-50 (Dec. 30, 2002; Austin)
Navy Game Notes
- Texas improved to 86-19 all-time in season-opening games. The Horns improved to 11-2 in season openers in the Rick Barnes era. UT won its ninth consecutive season opener (last loss came in the 2001-02 opener).
- Texas improved to 90-15 all-time in home-opening contests. The Horns improved to 29-5 in home openers at the Erwin Center and 11-2 in home openers during the Barnes era.
- The Nov. 8 season opener marked the earliest calendar date for a season opener in UT history. Prior to this year, the earliest start date was Nov. 9, 2006.
- Texas held the Midshipmen to 52 points on 30.2% FG shooting, including a 4-of-23 (.174) mark from three-point range. The Longhorns limited Navy to 20 points on 22.6% (7-of-31) FG shooting in the first half.
- The Horns posted a +20 rebound margin (50-30).
- After posting four assists against 12 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, Texas recorded 12 assists against just three turnovers in the second half.
- All nine UT players who saw action played at least 13 minutes. No player saw more than 28 minutes of work (Gary Johnson).
- Jordan Hamilton made his first collegiate start and recorded his second career double-double (26 points, 10 rebounds). He topped the 20-point mark for the third time in his career (35 games). Hamilton reached double figures in scoring for the 19th time in his career. He reached double figures in rebounding for the second time in his career.
- Gary Johnson recorded his sixth career double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds). He reached double figures in scoring for the 37th time in his career (89 games). Johnson reached double figures in rebounding for the seventh time in his career.
- Tristan Thompson reached double digits in scoring (12 points) in his first collegiate contest.
- Cory Joseph became the 25th freshman in UT history to start a season opener (NCAA allowed freshmen to play on the varsity team beginning in 1972-73). He became the ninth freshman in the Rick Barnes to start a season opener.
- J'Covan Brown tied his career high in assists (six).
- Alexis Wangmene tied his career high in points (eight) in just 13 minutes of action.
- Matt Hill made his first collegiate start. His 14 minutes played were the most since he saw 27 minutes at Texas Tech on Jan. 17, 2009 (in his redshirt sophomore season).
Series vs. Louisiana Tech
This marks the third meeting between Texas and Louisiana Tech on the hardcourt. The Horns hold a 2-0 lead in the all-time series entering Wednesday's contest. Texas posted an 81-68 win in the opening round of the Senior Bowl Tournament in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 6, 1975. The Longhorns then recorded a 58-50 victory in Austin on Dec. 30, 2002. The last win in Austin marked the 300th career coaching victory for Rick Barnes. The 2002-03 Longhorns went on to advance to the Final Four.
Barnes Nears 500-Win Milestone
Texas coach Rick Barnes enters Wednesday's contest just three wins shy of reaching 500 career victories. Barnes will become the 12th active Men's Basketball Division I coach to reach the 500-win milestone. He also will become the 50th coach in NCAA Division I history to reach the 500-victory plateau.
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 392-93 (.808) in the building. Since Rick Barnes arrived in Austin, UT has recorded a 167-22 (.884) mark at the Erwin Center, including an 81-15 (.844) record in Big 12 Conference home games. Texas is 77-7 (.917) at the Erwin Center in the last six seasons (dating to the start of the 2005-06 season).
Defense Wins
Solid defense continues to be a Texas trademark under coach Rick Barnes. UT held Navy to 52 points on 30.2% FG shooting in Monday's win, including a 4-of-23 (.174) mark from three-point range. The Horns limited Navy to just 20 points on 22.6% FG shooting (7-of-31) in the first half. Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 196 of their 410 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 178-18 (.908) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Johnson Set to Lead Frontcourt
Gary Johnson is in his fourth season in the frontcourt rotation, having played in 89 career games (18 starts). The top returning rebounder (5.6 rpg) on the squad and a two-time Big 12 Conference All-Reserve Team selection (as a sophomore and junior), Johnson ranked third on the team in rebounding, second in field goal percentage (.547) and sixth in scoring (9.4 ppg) during his junior season. He had two 20-point outings and reached double figures in scoring 15 times last year. Johnson upped his production in Big 12 play to 11.1 points (third on team) and 6.6 rebounds (second on team) in 27.2 minutes per contest last year. In Monday's win against Navy, Johnson recorded his sixth career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, converting 6-of-8 field goals and 5-of-8 free throws.
Hamilton Looking for All-Around Improvement
Jordan Hamilton is the top returning scorer (10.0 ppg) from last year's squad. Hamilton played in all 34 games off the bench during his freshman season. He led the team in three-point field goals made (58-of-159) and ranked fourth on the squad in both scoring and rebounding (3.7 rpg) in just 19.9 minutes per contest. Hamilton had two 20-point showings and reached double figures in scoring 18 times last year. He posted a career-high 27 points (11-of-16 FG, 5-of-8 threes) in just 19 minutes at Oklahoma State (Feb. 1) last year. Hamilton also recorded 19 points (5-of-10 threes) and six boards during the NCAA First Round loss to Wake Forest (March 18). Hamilton posted his second career double-double with 26 points (10-of-17 FG) and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes during Monday's win against Navy.
What Can Brown Do For You?
Sophomore guard J'Covan Brown played in 33 of the 34 games (nine starts) during his freshman season. Brown ranked second on the team in assists (80) and fifth in scoring (9.6 ppg) last year. He had three 20-point efforts and reached double figures in scoring 15 times as a freshman. Brown posted a team-high 20 points (all in the second half or overtime) in 22 minutes during the NCAA First Round loss to Wake Forest (March 18). Brown tied his career high with six assists to go along with seven points and four rebounds in 23 minutes during Monday's win against Navy.
Joseph Earns Start in Opener
Cory Joseph became the 25th freshman in UT history to start a season opener during Monday's win against Navy (since the NCAA began allowing freshman to play on the varsity team starting in 1972-73). He is the ninth freshman in the Rick Barnes era to start a season opener. Joseph had five points, four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of work.
Thompson Impressive in Debut
Tristan Thompson saw 25 minutes of work off the bench on Monday night in his collegiate debut. Thompson posted 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal during the victory.
Wangmene a Factor Again in Frontcourt
Redshirt junior forward/center Alexis Wangmene has played in 72 career games off the bench during his career. Wangmene saw action in 30 games and ranked fourth on the team in blocks (16) while averaging 7.8 minutes per contest last year. He played in four of the first five games as a sophomore (2008-09) before missing the remainder of the year with a right knee injury. Wangmene had surgery on his right knee on Dec. 17, 2008 and was granted a medical redshirt. During Monday's victory against Navy, he tied his career high with eight points (3-of-3 FG) to go along with two rebounds and two steals (also tied his career high) in just 13 minutes of action.
