Missouri and Texas Meet in a Battle of Top 15 Teams in Austin

Missouri Tigers at Texas Longhorns, Frank Erwin Special Events Center, Austin, TX
Saturday, January 29, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Texas -8
Current Line: Texas -7 1/2
Opening Total: 145 1/2
Current Total: 147
Money Line: Texas -330 / Missouri +270

Jordan Hamilton and the Texas Longhorns take on the Missouri Tigers in Austin in a battle of teams ranked in the top 15. Texas is a 7 1/2 point favorite at home.

Missouri is 17-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12. They are ranked #11 in the AP poll and #13 in the coaches’ poll. The Tigers travel to Austin to take on the #7 or #8 Texas Longhorns. Texas is also 17-3 overall, but they 5-0 in conference. Missouri has losses to Georgetown, Colorado, and Texas A&M on the season. All were on the road or at a neutral site. The Georgetown game was played in nearby Kansas City. The losses to Georgetown and Texas A&M were in overtime. Missouri has wins over Wyoming, Oregon, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas St, and Iowa St last Saturday. Missouri beat Iowa St 87-54 at home. Texas has losses to Pitt, USC, and UConn on the season. They have wins over Illinois, North Carolina, Michigan St, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Kansas, and Oklahoma St. The Longhorns’ win at Kansas snapped a 69 game home winning streak for Kansas. In their last game Wednesday, Texas won on the road at Oklahoma St 61-46. The overall series is tied at 11 between the two teams, but Texas leads 5-3 in Austin. Missouri has won and covered the last two games in the series. Texas is 12-3 ATS in all games this year. Texas is 8-1 ATS this year when the total is between 140 and 150 points, and 8-2 ATS when playing a team with a winning record this year.

Missouri has no significant injuries right now. Missouri has 5 players scoring in double digits. Guard Marcus Denmon averages 17.3 points to lead the team, 4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2 steals a game. He is also shooting 49.1% from 3 point range. Forward Ricardo Ratliffe averages 11.8 points, 7 rebounds to lead the team, 1.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks a game. Forward Laurence Bowers averages 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 steal, and 2.2 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard Michael Dixon averages 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists to lead the team, and 2.1 steals a game to lead the team. Guard Kim English averages 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Missouri is outscoring opponents 85-69 on the season. Missouri is shooting 47.5% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. Tiger opponents are shooting 40.9% from the field. Missouri is shooting 71.1% from the free throw line. Missouri averages 38.3 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +1.6. The Tigers average 18 assists and 13.2 turnovers a game. Missouri forces 19 turnovers a game on defense. They average 10 steals and 5.9 blocks a game.

Texas has no significant injuries right now either. Texas is led by guard/forward Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 19.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game. He is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Longhorns and also is shooting 43.2% from 3-point range. Forward Tristan Thompson averages 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding, steals, and blocks. Forward Gary Johnson averages 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game. Guard Cory Joseph averages 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. Texas is outscoring opponents 77-61 on the season. They are shooting 46.1% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range. Longhorn opponents are shooting 36.7% from the field. Texas makes 66.2% of their free throws. Texas averages 41.4 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +7.1. The Longhorns average 14 assists and 12.4 turnovers a game. Texas forces 13.8 turnovers a game on defense. Texas averages 5.1 blocks and 6.3 steals a game.

Missouri plays a smother pressure defense that will force many turnovers. It is very difficult to adjust if you have never played against it. Texas is very difficult to beat in Austin. I think this game will be close and Texas will win late.