The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
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Kansas
No. 19/17 Men’s Basketball preview: at No. 8/8 Kansas [Feb. 22, 2014]
02.20.2014 | Men's Basketball
The Longhorns are looking for their 11th 10-win season in Big 12 Conference play under 16th-year head coach Rick Barnes.
Complete Game Notes | Watch | Listen (internet audio) | Listen (radio) | Live Stats | Twitter | Instagram | #TEXvsKU
No. 19/17 Texas (20-6, 9-4 Big 12) at No. 8/8 Kansas (20-6, 11-2 Big 12)
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 - 6:30 p.m. Central
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) - Lawrence, Kan.
GAMEDAY QUICK FACTS
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU. Anish Shroff (pxp), Tim Welsh (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, 22-8. Last meeting: Texas, 81-69 (Feb. 1, 2014; Austin, Texas)
NOTABLES
• Importance of Defense
In its nine Big 12 Conference wins, Texas has allowed an average of 66.1 points per game on a combined 38.1% FG shooting (201-of-527), including a 29.2% mark from three-point range (54-of-185). During their four league losses, the Longhorns have allowed an average of 83.5 points per game on a combined 47.6% FG shooting (108-of-227), including a 40.5% mark from three-point range (32-of-79).
• Learning the Point
Freshman point guard Isaiah Taylor posted a game-high 26 points (8-of-20 FG, 10-of-10 FT) to go along with eight assists against just one turnover and seven rebounds in 37 minutes during Tuesday's loss at No. 17/19 Iowa State. He tied his season high in assists and minutes played and was one point shy of his season high and one rebound shy of his season best. Over the last seven contests, Taylor is averaging 19.1 points in 33.4 minutes per game while converting 43-of-95 (.453) field goals and 47-of-50 (.940) free throws.
• Better at the Line in Big 12 Play
After hitting just 63.1% (251-of-398) from the free throw line in their first 13 non-conference contests, the Horns have converted 72.7% (250-of-344) from the stripe during their first 13 Big 12 Conference games. Texas hit a season-best 92.0% (23-of-25) from the free throw line during Tuesday's loss at No. 17/19 Iowa State.
TEXAS VS. KANSAS
• Kansas holds a 22-8 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 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 26 games last year, the Longhorns had posted a 12-14 overall record, including a 4-9 mark in Big 12 Conference play. This season, the Horns are off to a 20-6 start, including a 9-4 mark in league play.
BUILDING A SOLID RESUME
The Longhorns have posted a 5-3 record against AP Top 25 opponents this year. UT's resume includes road wins against No. 14 North Carolina (86-83) and No. 24 Baylor (74-60) and home victories against No. 8 Iowa State (86-76), No. 22 Kansas State (67-64) and No. 6 Kansas (81-69). Texas owns a 6-4 record in away/neutral-site games this season.
A CHECK OF THE POLLS
Texas is ranked No. 19 in the most recent Associated Press poll (Feb. 17) and No. 17 in the most recent USA Today Coaches poll (Feb. 17). During the Rick Barnes era, the Horns have spent 179 weeks in The AP Top 25, including 84 in the Top 10.
WHAT'S IN A WIN
• A win would mark the 1,695th victory in program history.
• A win would mark head coach Rick Barnes' 379th victory at Texas and his 581st victory all-time as a head coach.
• A win would improve UT's record to 21-6, marking the program's best 27-game start to a season since 2010-11 (started 23-4). 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 21 wins in their first 27 contests (23-4 in 2005-06, 2007-08, 2010-11; 22-5 in 2002-03; 21-6 in 2003-04, 2009-10).
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNING AND LOSING
In their four Big 12 Conference losses, the Longhorns allowed an average of 83.5 points per game on a combined 47.6% FG shooting (108-of-227), including a 40.5% mark from three-point range (32-of-79). In its nine league wins, Texas has allowed an average of 66.1 points per game on a combined 38.1% FG shooting (201-of-527), including a 29.2% mark from three-point range (54-of-185).
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