The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Basketball preview: at USC (Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series)
12.03.2010 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2010
Complete Notes 
#19/20 Texas (6-1) at USC (4-4)
Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Sunday, December 5, 2010 - 9:30 p.m. Central
Galen Center (10,258) - Los Angeles, Calif.
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports Net. Barry Tompkins (pxp) and Marques Johnson (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: Tied, 5-5. Last meeting: Texas 69-50 (Dec. 3, 2009; Austin)
Series vs. USC
Sunday's contest marks the 11th meeting between Texas and Southern California on the hardwood. The all-time series is tied at five wins apiece heading into Sunday's game. In the first meeting (Dec. 19, 1936), USC recorded a 28-20 win in Austin. UT recorded a 71-63 win in Houston on Dec. 30, 1955. The two teams then met three consecutive years in the late 1970s. Texas registered a 66-61 victory in Austin on Dec. 6, 1976. USC returned the favor with a 65-64 win in Los Angeles on Nov. 26, 1977. UT posted an 87-68 victory in Austin on Jan. 20, 1979. The Trojans recorded an 89-81 win in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 1980. The Longhorns tallied a 71-70 victory in Austin on March 3, 1985. USC registered an 84-62 win in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 1985. The Trojans then posted an 87-68 win in a NCAA Tournament Second Round contest in Spokane, Wash. on March 18, 2007. This marked the final collegiate game for then-UT freshman Kevin Durant. Last year in Austin (Dec. 3, 2009), the Longhorns registered a 69-50 victory.
Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
The Big 12 and Pacific-10 Conferences play a men's basketball series of 12 annual matchups between the two leagues. The 2010-11 campaign marks the fourth and final season of the Hardwood Series. Texas is the only Big 12 team to post a perfect record (3-0) in the Series entering this season's slate of games. UT recorded a 63-61 win at No. 2/1 UCLA on Dec. 2, 2007 in Pauley Pavilion. The Horns registered a 68-64 home victory against No. 12/9 UCLA on Dec. 4, 2008. Last year (Dec. 3, 2009), the Longhorns posted a 69-50 home win against USC.
A Homecoming for Hamilton
Sophomore swingman Jordan Hamilton returns to his hometown for the first time in a Texas uniform on Sunday night. Born in Los Angeles (Oct. 6, 1990), Hamilton lived in the same house in Los Angeles from birth until he came to Austin to attend UT. He spent his junior and senior years at Compton's Dominguez HS and was a Jordan All-American following his senior season. As a junior, Hamilton averaged 27.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while leading Dominguez to a 32-3 mark and the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA championship.
Lamar Game Notes
- Texas held Lamar to 55 points on 25.7% FG shooting (18-of-70), including a 1-of-9 (.111) mark from three-point range.
- The Longhorns posted a 48-42 advantage on the glass. UT has won the rebounding battle in each of its first seven games.
- Texas recorded its 23rd consecutive non-conference home game. The Horns are 68-2 in non-conference home contests since the start of the 2002-03 season.
- UT improved to 103-15 (.873) against in-state opponents during the Rick Barnes era.
- Cory Joseph (16 points) set a career high in points for the second straight contest. He reached double figures in scoring for the third time this season. Joseph also set career highs in field goals made (6-of-10) and rebounds (nine) and tied his career high in assists (four).
- Jordan Hamilton (16 points) reached double figures in scoring for the seventh time this season and 25th time in his career (41 games). He also set a career high in minutes (40).
- Tristan Thompson (11 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks) recorded his second straight collegiate double-double. He reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time this year. Thompson set a career high in rebounds and reached double digits in boards for the second time this season. He has blocked at least two shots in six straight games.
- Gary Johnson (10 points) reached double figures in points for the fourth time this year and 40th time in his career (95 games).
- Matt Hill tied his career high in blocks (three) and tied his season high in rebounds (six).
Barnes Gets 300th win at Texas
Rick Barnes earned his 300th win with the Longhorns during Wednesday's home win against Lamar. He now has a mark of 300-116 (.721) in 13 seasons at Texas. 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 seven opponents to an average of 60.9 ppg on 33.8% FG shooting, including a 32-of-114 (.281) mark from three-point range. Texas has limited five of its first seven opponents this year to below 40% FG shooting and two below 30% FG shooting. The Horns also have allowed just 57 assists against 103 turnovers through the first seven contests. Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 200 of their 416 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 182-18 (.910) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat.
Hamilton Off to Solid Start
Jordan Hamilton has been a much improved all-around player to start the 2010-11 season. Through the first seven contests this year, Hamilton leads the team in scoring (21.7 ppg) and is third in rebounding (7.0 rpg). He has converted 51-of-108 (.472) field goals, including 19-of-43 (.442) from three-point range, and 31-of-40 (.775) free throws.
Thompson Not Playing Like a Freshman
Tristan Thompson has played beyond his years on both ends of the court. Through his first seven collegiate games, Thompson ranks second on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and leads the squad in rebounding (7.7 rpg), blocked shots (17) and minutes played (31.9 mpg). He has converted 28-of-52 (.538) field goals and ranks second on the team in steals (nine).
Thompson Seeing Double
Tristan Thompson recorded his first collegiate double-double during the home win against Rice (Nov. 27). Thompson posted 10 points and 10 rebounds (six offensive) to go along with two assists and two blocks in 34 minutes. He registered his second straight double-double with 11 points, a career-high 13 boards (five offensive) and two blocks in 31 minutes during Wednesday's home victory against Lamar.
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 seven collegiate games, Joseph is averaging 9.1 points (fourth on the team), 4.3 rebounds (fourth on the team), 3.3 assists (tops on the team) and ranks second on the squad in minutes played (31.7 mpg).
Joseph Gets Offensive
Cory Joseph has averaged 15.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the last two contests while converting 11-of-18 (.611) field goals, including 7-of-12 (.583) from three-point range. He had 14 points (5-of-8 FG, 4-of-6 threes) and three assists without a turnover in 34 minutes in the home win against Rice (Nov. 27). Joseph then added a career-high 16 points (6-of-10 FG, 3-of-6 threes), a career-high nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 34 minutes against Lamar on Wednesday night.
Balbay Solid with the Rock
Dogus Balbay currently ranks as the school's career leader in assist-to-turnover ratio (min. 200 assists). He has recorded 232 assists against 96 turnovers (2.42-to-1 ratio) in 68 career games. Balbay has tallied 19 assists against just seven turnovers in the first seven contests this season (2.71-to-1 ratio).
Hill Earning Minutes in Frontcourt Rotation
Matt Hill, who started the first two games this season, is averaging 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 12.4 minutes per contest. Hill tied his career high with three blocks and grabbed six rebounds (one shy of his career high) in 14 minutes during the home win against Sam Houston State (Nov. 23). He added five points, six boards and three blocks in 19 minutes during Wednesday's victory against Lamar.
