The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
No. 4 Women's Basketball preview: Iowa State [Jan. 6, 2016]
01.05.2016 | Women's Basketball
Longhorns and Cyclones meet at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday at Erwin Center.
No. 4/4 Texas Longhorns (13-0, 2-0 Big 12) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (10-3, 2-0 Big 12)
Location: Austin, Texas | Frank Erwin Center (16,540)
Time: Wednesday, January 6, 2016 | 7 p.m. CT
TV: Longhorn Network (Fran Harris, Nell Fortner, Tyler Denning)
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn (Craig Way, Kathy Harston)
Tickets | Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Audio | WatchESPN
AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 4/4 Texas women's basketball team is seeking its first 14-0 start since the 1985-86 season on Wednesday when it plays host to Iowa State at the Frank Erwin Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally by Longhorn Network.
Texas women's basketball trading cards will be available to the first 500 fans in attendance on Wednesday. They will be available at the marketing table located at section 44 on the concourse. After the game, fans are invited down to the court for a postgame autograph session with the Texas players.
The Longhorns (13-0, 2-0 Big 12 Conference) are seeking their first 3-0 start in Big 12 play since the 2002-03 season when Texas won its first five league games. Texas and Iowa State are two of only three teams to currently be 2-0 in the Big 12 after the opening week of the season.
"Two undefeated teams in the Big 12, that speaks for itself," Texas associate head coach Travis Mays said. "Neither one of us wants to give up that position, so we're going to play hard. If you look back at the history, they beat us both games last year. They have a lot of pieces and will be well-prepared. It's going to be a really good game, and we're going to have to be on our A game to continue this streak."
Senior center Imani Boyette on Monday was named the Big 12's Player of the Week, after averaging 19.5 points per game, 12.5 rebounds per game and 5.0 blocks per game over the course of the first two conference games of the season. On the year, Boyette leads the Longhorns in both scoring and rebounding with 12.9 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game, to complement 2.8 blocks per game.
Sophomore guard Ariel Atkins, who has played in the last four games after returning from injury, adds 11.5 points per game, while sophomore guard Brooke McCarty adds 11.2 points per game. Junior center Kelsey Lang and junior guard Brianna Taylor each contribute 5.2 rebounds per game.
Texas and Iowa State are meeting for the 29th time in the history of the two programs. The Cyclones lead the all-time series between the two teams 17-11. Iowa State has won three consecutive meetings and six of the last seven.
Iowa State enters Wednesday's game with a 10-3 overall record and a 2-0 start in Big 12 play.The Cyclones have won eight consecutive games. Iowa State ranks 11th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.36.
Junior guard Seanna Johnson is tied for second in the nation in double-doubles this season with 10 and is first among Big 12 players. Johnson currently ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 17.0 points per game and is first in rebounding at 10.6 boards per game. Freshman Bridget Carleton is tops among freshmen in the Big 12 Conference, averaging 13.3 points per game. She also adds 6.2 rebounds per game.
QUICK NOTES
- Texas ranks fifth in all-time victories by NCAA Division I institutions with 994. Just four teams in the history of the sport have achieved 1,000 wins - Tennessee (1,286), Louisiana Tech (1,064), James Madison (1,025) and Old Dominion (1,002). Stephen F. Austin has 993 all-time victories and is in sixth place all-time.
- Texas has won the rebounding battle in 12 of 13 games this season. The Longhorns are averaging 44.5 boards per game and are winning the rebound margin by +13.5. Texas ranks eighth nationally in rebound margin.
- Up next, Texas travels to Stillwater, Okla., to face Oklahoma State on Saturday. Tip-off in Gallagher-Iba Arena is slated for 5 p.m. CT.
PRE-GAME QUOTES
Texas Associate Head Coach Travis Mays
On tomorrow's game against Iowa State…
"Two undefeated teams in the Big 12, that speaks for itself. I think neither one of us wants to give up that position, so we're going to play hard. If you look back at the history, they beat us both games last year. Unfortunately, I was unable to be at the last game we played against them because I lost my mother, but I love that staff and I know that team will be well prepared. They have a lot of pieces. They have a very dynamic freshman that will be playing. It's going to be a really good game, and we're going to have to be on our A game to continue this streak."
On if there is added excitement after losing to Iowa State last year…
"We wouldn't say a revenge game, but in order for us to get to where we want to be as a team and a program and reach the goals we set for ourselves, we know every team that was better than us in previous years. In order for us to get better, we have to go through those particular teams, and Iowa State is one of those teams that understood and was able to take advantage of the way we played. We've just got to get to a level where we are able to execute and get better at stopping them defensively."
On Iowa State junior guard Seanna Johnson…
"I think what makes Johnson as tough of a player as she is is because she's extremely aggressive. The thing about all of the Iowa State team is that their players seem to know their roles, and they buy-in and play in the style of play the way [Iowa State Head Coach Bill Fennelly] wants every player to play. That makes any team hard to guard and defend. In particular, I would say she's a player that knows her roles and very seldom does she go away from her strengths."
On senior guard Brady Sanders and her injury…
"When you look at Ariel [Atkins] and Brady and any of our players who have been injured, it's a process of coming back. I think that builds confidence with more time on the court because it gives you confidence to believe in what your body can and can't do. Brady has gone through it a number of times, this is our fourth season, and she's come back from a number of injuries. I think she's going to be fine, and when it's time when we get into the harder Big 12 games and the NCAA tournament, her experience will be valuable for us."
On having the same record as last year at this point…
"I would say it's hard to make our players not recognize we are in the same situation as we were last year and playing against the particular team that clipped our wings at this particular time last year. The thing we are going to hang our hat on is that we are more experienced. What we went through and the way we stumbled last year, I don't think we are going to stumble and fall this year. I'm not saying we aren't going to stumble at some point, but I don't think what hurt us last year is going to hurt us this year because of our depth, kids are more experienced, they understand a little bit more. Each and every year I think you're going to do better than what you did in the year previous."
Senior Guard Empress Davenport
On being undefeated…
"We don't talk about it much. We are taking it one game at a time. We're on a roll right now, and if we can keep winning in the Big 12, that would give us a good seed for the NCAA tournament."
On how to keep performing the way Texas is….
"Right now we are just taking it one game at a time. We are locked in on details, players, their tendencies, and what they do best. If we can just hone in on the details and take away what they do best, then we will be in pretty good shape."
On what this senior season means to her…
"It definitely means more this year because I'm a senior. Seniors have that sense of urgency, and of course, we want to win. When we came in, me, Imani [Boyette], and Celina [Rodrigo], we weren't that great. Us trying to get the program back to where it was is a great feeling."
On what is different about this year compared to last year…
"I think with this year's team we know what we're capable of. Last year we were good and were just winning games, but this year we're focused in on winning every game. This year everyone knows their role. We've added the freshmen to the team, and the freshmen were great adds. We can't go anywhere but up, so I think we're going to do great things."
On where the team can improve…
"Stopping teams from scoring in transition and focusing more on details with players and their tendencies. We stop players with what they do best, but when we take a play off and let them score at what they do best, we have to stop those plays."
