University of North Texas Athletics
Jones Looking To Match White Against Texas
11/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
North Texas (1-3) at Texas (3-2)
Austin, Texas • Frank Erwin Center (16,755)
Nov. 29, 2011 • 7:15 p.m. CST
Radio: 88.1 KNTU-FM, 100.7 KWRD-FM • George Dunham, Hank Dickenson
TV: Longhorn Network • Mark Followill, Reid Gettys
Live Stats & Webcast: texassports.com
Series: Texas leads 29-5 • Last: @ Texas 88-72 on 12/5/07
Game Notes
AUSTIN, Texas – The last time North Texas took on the Longhorns a Mean Green freshman by the name of Josh White put his name in the mix of the nation’s top freshmen with a 28-point performance at the Irwin Center in 2007.
This year, another NT freshman looks poised to give Texas problems – Chris Jones. The Garland, Texas native has assaulted the NT freshman scoring records just four games into his career. Jones has tallied 31 points at Texas Tech - the fifth best freshman scoring performance in NT history - and followed it with 20 points at UT Arlington. At 16.8 points per game this year Jones ranks 5th in the nation in freshman scoring.
North Texas has reached at least eight steals in every game - including highs of 12 twice - and ranks 17th in the nation with 10.3 steals per game. Five NT players are averaging at least a steal per contest, led by Jones’ 2.3, which ranks fourth in the Sun Belt Conference.
Jones will be countered by Texas’ J’Covan Brown, who has been a dynamic player for the Longhorns. The junior is among the national scoring leaders with 23.2 points and 6.4 assists per game. The Preseason All-Big 12 selection has earned two Big 12 Player of the Week awards this year.
The Longhorns have played in 29 NCAA Tournaments – including the last 13 – and are 112-15 in the Rick Barnes era against in-state opponents.
