The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Alabama
Men's Basketball preview: at Alabama (Vulcan Classic)
12.20.2017 | Men's Basketball
The Longhorns have held their first 11 opponents to an average of 61.4 ppg on a combined 37.7% FG shooting, including a 28.7% mark from three-point range, entering Friday's game in Birmingham (8 p.m. CT, ESPN2).
Texas (8-3) at Alabama (8-3)
Vulcan Classic
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 - 8 p.m. Central
Legacy Arena (17,654) - Birmingham, Alabama
GameDay Quick Facts
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Rich Hollenberg (pxp) and Seth Greenberg (analyst) will call the action.
• RADIO: The Longhorn IMG Radio Network broadcasts every UT game on the statewide network. Roger Wallace (pxp) and Eddie Oran (analyst) will call the action. Check www.TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
• SERIES: Texas leads, 8-4. Last meeting: Texas 77-68 (Dec. 2, 2016; Austin).
Notables
• OSETKOWSKI ON A ROLL: Junior forward Dylan Osetkowski has averaged a team-best 18.2 ppg while converting 56.7% (34-60) from the floor, including 38.1% (8-21) from three-point range, in his last five contests entering Friday's game.
• MO KNOWS BLOCKS: Freshman forward Mohamed Bamba leads the Big 12 and ranks third nationally (through games of Dec. 18) in blocks per game (4.10 bpg). He has recorded at least 2 blocks in each of his first 10 contests and has posted at least 4 blocks in nine of his first 10 games.
• DEFENSE WINS: The Longhorns have held their first 11 opponents to an average of 61.4 ppg on a combined 37.7% FG shooting, including a 28.7% mark from three-point range. UT has forced its opponents into a total of 177 turnovers (16.1 tpg).
• ROACH II SHOWS TWO-WAY GROWTH: Junior guard Kerwin Roach II ranks third on the team in scoring (10.9 ppg) while converting 71.7% (38-53) of his two-point field goals. He also leads the squad in steals (15).
