No. 25/RV Men's Basketball preview: vs. No. 6/7 Kansas [Feb. 1, 2014]

No. 25/rv Texas (16-4, 5-2 Big 12) vs. No. 6/7 Kansas (16-4, 7-0 Big 12)

Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 - 3 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,540) - Austin, Texas

GAMEDAY QUICK FACTS
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Jon Sciambi (pxp), Fran Fraschilla (analyst) and Kaylee Hartung (reporter) 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.

• SERIES: Kansas leads, 22-7. Last meeting: Kansas, 73-47 (Feb. 16, 2013; Lawrence, Kan.)

NOTABLES
• Playing … and Winning against the AP Top 25
Texas will play its fourth consecutive game against an AP Top 25 opponent, when it hosts No. 6 Kansas on Saturday. This is the first time in program history that the Longhorns have played four straight games against AP Top 25 foes. UT enters Saturday's contest having defeated three straight AP Top 25 opponents (in three consecutive games played) for the first time in school history.

• Inside the Win Streak
Improved defense has been a major key during UT's current five-game win streak. The Horns have held their last five opponents to an average of 66.6 points per game while allowing a combined 39.2% FG shooting (115-of-293), including a 25.9% (28-of-108) mark from beyond the arc. UT has held three of its last five opponents below 40% FG shooting entering Saturday's contest.

• Taylor's Career Day
Freshman point guard Isaiah Taylor had his finest performance in a Texas uniform during Saturday's win at No. 24/23 Baylor. Taylor recorded career highs in points (27) and FG made (10-of-18) while also converting 7-of-8 FT and adding three assists and three steals in 36 minutes. For the year, he leads the team in assists (3.7 apg), ranks second in minutes (28.8 mpg), tied for second in steals (21) and third in scoring (11.7 ppg) while posting a 73-to-49 assists-to-turnover ratio.

TEXAS VS. KANSAS
• Kansas holds a 22-7 lead in the all-time series.
• Texas broke KU's 69-game home winning streak on Jan. 22, 2011, with a 74-63 victory against the 2nd-ranked Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse.
• The Longhorns are 5-6 against the Jayhawks when the teams meet in Austin.
• The series dates back to a 36-34 Texas win in Austin on Dec. 16, 1938. UT was coached by Jack Gray and KU by Dr. 'Phog' Allen.

NIGHT AND DAY
Through 20 games last year, the Longhorns had posted a 9-11 overall record, including a 1-6 mark in Big 12 Conference play. This season, the Horns are off to a 16-4 start, including a 5-2 mark in league play.

HORNS ON FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK
After starting league play with an 0-2 mark, the Longhorns have responded with five consecutive Big 12 wins, including the last three against ranked opponents in No. 8/10 Iowa State, No. 22 Kansas State and No. 24 Baylor. Texas has hit 71.3% from the free throw line during the five-game stretch, while holding its opponents to a combined 39.2% FG shooting, including a 25.9% mark (28-of-108) from three-point range.

WHAT'S IN A WIN
• A win would mark the 1,691st victory in program history.
• A win would mark head coach Rick Barnes' 375th victory at Texas and his 577th victory all-time as a head coach.
• A win would improve UT's record to 17-4, marking the program's best 21-game start to a season since 2010-11 (started 18-3). It would also mark the seventh time in the Rick Barnes era (last 16 years) that the Horns have opened the year with at least 17 wins in their first 21 contests (18-3 in 2005-06, 2009-10; 2010-11; 17-4 in 2002-03, 2003-04, 2007-08).

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

No. 25/RV Men's Basketball preview: vs. No. 6/7 Kansas [Feb. 1, 2014]

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