The Texas SID office is kind enough to compile all sorts of notes and numbers following Texas games. Some are more interesting/meaningful than others, of course, but let's walk through some that caught my eye.
TEAM NOTES
- Texas is one of only three schools to advance to the Sweet 16 in five of the last seven years (Duke and Kansas).
Just remember that the next time you hear someone try to dig Rick Barnes. Not only has Barnes been consistently successful, but he's done it so many different ways. Only a handful of programs have lost as much talent early to the NBA as Barnes has, but he's continued to reload without missing a step. A year after losing Aldridge, Gibson, and Tucker to the pros, he earned a #4 NCAA seed with a team starting four freshmen and a sophomore. A year after KD headed to the NBA, he's back in the Sweet 16 with a group few thought much of when the year began.
- Texas has played 18 of its 36 games this season against NCAA Tournament teams and has a record of 14-4 in those games.
Of the remaining teams in the tournament, Texas and UCLA stand out as the two most battle tested this season. Stanford, Michigan State, and Kansas linger not too far behind, all with schedules among the Top 30 toughest. (Tennessee's non-conference schedule was very solid, but the weaker SEC dragged its overall numbers down.) Barnes deserves credit not only for the schedule, but for the results therein, as well. 14 wins against NCAA Tournament teams is outstanding, and one reason why we're playing into the second weekend.
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- Texas matched the UT single-game record for three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game with 13 (vs. Iowa, 3-19-92). In two NCAA Tournament games, Texas is shooting 47.9 percent (23-of-48) from three-point range
This is terrific, of course, and I can't see Stanford beating the Longhorns if we shoot anywhere near that well again on Friday. The big question is what happens if the shots aren't falling. Can Texas do enough of the other things to beat a big, quality team like the Cardinal?
- With 30 wins this season, Texas has matched the school record for most victories in a single season (2005-06).
It would be appropriate for this team to set the school record for victories, as both Andrew and I agree that this is probably Rick's best overall team. Win two in Houston, and there won't be any doubt. In our minds or the record books.
- In two NCAA Tournament games, D.J. Augustin and Justin Mason have combined to post 29 assists to eight turnovers (3.6-to-1 ratio). In five postseason games, Texas has a 1.8 (81-44) assist-to-turnover ratio.
This is actually a big one for Texas - certainly in the turnover department. The Longhorns haven't been an elite shooting team this year, but they've done well with possessions by limiting turnovers and grabbing offensive boards. Again, if we shoot lights out like we did against Miami, Stanford's finished. If we don't, though... all these other statistics take on significantly greater importance.
- Texas improved to 21-0 when holding its opponent 40 percent or below FG shooting.
We discussed opponent field goal percentage in the early look at Stanford, so this stat doesn't surprise me in the least. With Stanford, we'll need not only to keep their field goal percentage down, but make sure they aren't grabbing rebounds on the misses. We'll say this over and over this week: to make up for a poor shooting night, Texas has to limit turnovers, limit high-percentage looks for Stanford, and clean house on the glass. Easier said than done, but Texas has done all three consistently well this year. Lopez shots in the paint have to be minimized.
- Texas has posted more assists than turnovers in 30 of its 36 games.
An interesting stat, but, it turns out, not a particularly meaningful one - at least in terms of predicting wins and losses. Among the 30 games Texas posted more assists than turnovers were five of the team's six losses.
- Texas had four players score in double figures for the 13th time this season (12-1).
That's a pretty interesting statistic, and one that meshes well with how we've come to view this team. First, we're a group that rides its starting five pretty hard. And second, this is a very balanced offensive team. Texas offense doesn't live or die with one guy's performance, and has at different times been carried by different players. Or by excellent efforts by groups of guys.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
(Presented without commentary)
AJ ABRAMS
- Tied the UT single-game record for threes in an NCAA Tournament game with six for the second consecutive game (B.J. Tyler, vs. Western Kentucky, 3-17-94)
- Reached the 20-point mark for the 14th time this season and the 23rd time in 107 career games
- Scored in double figures for the 28th time this season and the 66th time in his career
- Made at least four three-pointers for the 12th time this season and did so by halftime
- In his last four games, has averaged 22.8 ppg on 31-of-63 (.492) field goal shooting, including 22-of-43 (.512) on threes
- Matched the UT single-game record for free throw percentage in an NCAA Tournament game at 1.000 (6-of-6)
CONNOR ATCHLEY
- Moved to fifth on the UT single-season blocked shots list with 75, passing LaMarcus Aldridge (73, 2005-06) and Albert Burditt (74, 1991-92).
- In two NCAA Tournament games this season, has averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
- Set his career post-season high with 15 points and matched it with 12 points in just over 12 minutes in the first half
- Scored in double figures for the 14th time this season and the 17th time in his career
- Has blocked at least one shot in 16 of the last 17 games and 31 of 36 games this season
- Blocked at least three shots for the 15th time this season
D.J. AUGUSTIN
- Moved to fifth on the UT career assists list with 442, passing Terrence Rencher (440, 1992-95)
- Scored in double figures for the 32nd time this season and the 57th time in 71 career games
- In five postseason games, has posted 32 assists to nine turnovers (3.6-to-1 ratio)
- Led Texas in assists for the 31st time this season
- Dished out eight-plus for the 11th time this season
- Matched his career post-season high with three steals, and did so in the first half
DAMION JAMES
- Moved to second on UT's single-season rebounds list with 384, passing LaSalle Thompson (370, 1980-81). He trails only Kevin Durant (390, 2006-07).
- Set his career post-season high with 16 rebounds (previous: 14 vs. Kansas, 2007 Big 12 Championship)
- Matched his career high with three 3-pointers for the fifth time
- Scored in double figures for the 25th time this season and the 37th time in 71 career games
- Registered his 17th double-double of the season and the 21st of his career, including three in this postseason (two NCAA)
- Reached double figures in rebounding for the 20th time this season and the 30th in his career
- Led Texas in rebounding for the 33rd time this season
- Recorded at least seven rebounds for the 30th time in the last 31 games, and did so in the first nine minutes of the game
- Has blocked at least one shot in 13 of the last 14 games
- Pulled down six rebounds in the first six minutes of the game
- Has made at least one three-pointer in 11 of the last 13 games
JUSTIN MASON
- Has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.3-to-1 (30-7) in postseason play
- Dished out at least four assists for the fifth consecutive game and the 12th time this season
- Has made at least one three-pointer in seven of the last eight games
- Had three assists in the first six minutes of the game
DEXTER PITTMAN
- Averaged 8.0 rebounds per game in two NCAA Tournament games