The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
BYU
Men's Basketball preview: Brigham Young [Nov. 25, 2013]
11.21.2013 | Men's Basketball
UT takes on BYU in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic Championship Round Semifinals on Monday night (6:30 p.m. Central, ESPNU) at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Texas Longhorns (4-0) vs. Brigham Young Cougars (4-1)
CBE Hall of Fame Classic Championship Round - Semifinal
Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 - 6:30 p.m. Central
Sprint Center (18,972) - Kansas City, Mo.
Game Notes | Listen | Live Tweets
GAMEDAY QUICK FACTS
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU. Mark Neely (pxp) and Sean Farnham (analyst) will call the action.
• RADIO: The Longhorn Sports Network and KVET (FM 98.1/1300AM Sportsradio the Zone) broadcast every UT game on the statewide network. Craig Way (pxp) and Eddie Oran (analyst) will call the action. Check www.TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game. The game can also be heard on channel 85 on SiriusXM Radio.
• SERIES: BYU leads, 3-2. Last meeting: Texas 96-57 (Dec. 1, 1978; Austin)
NOTABLES
• HOLMES OFF TO FAST START
Junior forward Jonathan Holmes leads the team in scoring (15.0 ppg) and ranks second on the squad in blocks (8) and tied for second in rebounding (6.0 rpg) while averaging 22.3 minutes per game through the first four contests. Holmes, who has reached double figures in scoring in each of the first four games, has converted 22-of-42 (.524) field goals, including 8-of-16 (.500) from three-point range, and 8-of-9 (.889) free throws.
• DEPTH AND BALANCE
Five UT players are averaging double figures in scoring and four individuals are averaging at least 6.0 rebounds per game through the first four contests. All 10 scholarship players for the Longhorns have seen action in all four games and are averaging double figures in minutes played. No individual is averaging more than 31 minutes per contest (Demarcus Holland leads team at 30.8 mpg).
• CLEANING THE GLASS
Texas has outrebounded each of its first four opponents, posting double-digit rebound advantages in three of its first four games. The Horns have registered a +11.8 rebound margin (43.0-31.3) through their first four contests this year.
TEXAS VS. BRIGHAM YOUNG
- Texas and BYU are meeting in Kansas City for a CBE Hall of Fame Classic Championship Round semifinal.
- The Longhorns and BYU are meeting for the sixth time. The Cougars own a 3-2 lead in the all-time series that dates back to a 63-50 BYU win on Dec. 9, 1967 in Provo.
- The last time the two squared off, the No. 13 Longhorns defeated BYU, 96-57, on Dec. 1, 1978 in Austin.
- UT and BYU are meeting at a neutral site for the second time in series history. The Cougars dealt UT a 91-86 overtime loss at the Kiwanis Tournament (Norfolk, Va.) on Dec. 29, 1975.
| SERIES QUICK FACTS | ||
| Texas vs. BYU | BYU leads, 3-2 | |
| Barnes vs. BYU | First Meeting | |
| Most UT points | 96 (Dec. 1, 1978) | |
| Most BYU points | 91 (Dec. 29, 1975) | |
| Fewest UT points | 50 (Dec. 9, 1967) | |
| Fewest BYU points | 57 (Dec. 1, 1978) | |
| Largest UT margin of victory | 39 (96-57; Dec. 1, 1978) | |
WHAT'S IN A WIN?
- A win would mark the 1,679th victory in program history.
- A win would mark head coach Rick Barnes' 363rd victory at Texas, and his 565th victory all-time as a head coach.
- A win would move the Horns to 5-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign (started 17-0) and for the fifth time under Rick Barnes.
ABOUT THE CBE HALL OF FAME CLASSIC
The event is named after the College Basketball Experience, the award-winning and highly interactive college hoops fan facility adjacent to the Sprint Center arena. It also features the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. The College Basketball Experience is the nation's only facility that celebrates, in its entirety, the sport of men's collegiate basketball. The tournament, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), was established in 2001 as the Guardians Classic.
- Texas has claimed the championship in each of its last two appearances at this tournament.
- The Horns won the 2005 Guardians Classic with wins against West Virginia and Iowa.
- Texas returned to the event and captured the 2009 CBE Classic title with victories against Iowa and Pittsburgh.
- Texas, Wichita State, BYU and DePaul served as Regional Round hosts for the tournament, hosting a pair of games to open the tourney before advancing to Kansas City (Nov. 25-26) for the semifinals and consolation/championship games.
| Austin Regional Round Games |
| Tues., Nov. 12 Texas 84, Southern Alabama 77 |
| Mon., Nov. 18 Texas 89, Houston Baptist 61 |
| CBE Hall of Fame Classic Championship Round |
| Mon., Nov. 25 |
| Texas vs. BYU (ESPNU) - 6:30 pm CT |
| DePaul vs. Wichita State (ESPN3) - 30 min following Game 1 |
| Tues., Nov. 26 |
| Consolation Game (ESPNU) - 6:30 pm CT |
| Championship Game (ESPN2)- 30 min following Game 1 |
SPRINT CENTER SUCCESS
Since the Sprint Center opened in October of 2007, UT has posted an 11-5 all-time record in the facility. The Horns have registered a 9-5 mark in five appearances at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship at Sprint Center (league postseason tournament has been held there each year except in 2009). Texas advanced to the title game of the 2008 and 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. UT also posted victories against Iowa (85-60) and Pittsburgh (78-62) en route to winning the 2009 O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Championship.
COMEBACK HORNS
The Longhorns rallied for second-half comeback wins in each of their first three contests. UT overcame a nine-point deficit (62-53) with 9:44 left against Mercer (Nov. 8), going on a 23-11 run to close the game. The Horns also trailed South Alabama (Nov. 12) by 10 points (64-54) at the 11:51 mark, before closing the contest on a 30-13 run. In the win against SFA (Nov. 15), UT faced a five-point deficit (40-35) with 16:31 left. Tied at 60-60 at the 3:10 mark, the Horns closed the game with a 12-2 spurt.
DEFENSE WINS
Solid defense has been a trademark of the Texas program under Rick Barnes. Since Barnes arrived in Austin, the Horns have held 247 of their 517 opponents to under 40% FG shooting. Texas sports a 221-26 (.895) mark in the Barnes era when accomplishing the feat. UT has held its first four opponents to an average of 68.2 ppg on 40.0 percent FG shooting.
- UT held Mercer to 39.7 percent, Stephen F. Austin to 38.6 percent and Houston Baptist to 39.2 percent FG shooting.
- In the win against Houston Baptist, UT recorded team season highs in steals (8), turnovers forced (16) and blocked shots (11). The 11 blocks were two shy of the single-game record.
CLEANING THE GLASS
Texas has outrebounded each of its first four opponents, posting double-digit rebound advantages in three of its first four games. The Horns have registered a +11.8 rebound margin (43.0-31.3) through their first four contests this year.
PROTECTING THE ROCK
Texas has been an improved team when it comes to protecting the basketball through the first four contests this year. Last season, the Horns averaged 14.7 turnovers per game and recorded a 391-to-500 assist-to-turnover ratio on the year. This season, Texas is averaging just 12.5 turnovers per contest and sports a 51-to-50 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Horns committed a season-low nine turnovers in last Monday's win against Houston Baptist.
| Last Year | Stat | This Year |
| 14.7 | Turnovers per game | 12.5 |
| 391-500 | Assist-to-TO ratio | 51-50 |
