UCLA Bruins vs. Texas Longhorns Hoops: Preview & Open Thread

The Texas Longhorns (5-3) and UCLA Bruins (5-3) both come fly into Reliant Stadium as head-scratching disappointments. Texas lost to Chaminade; UCLA to Cal Poly. Both teams lost to Georgetown. Ken Pomeroy still likes both teams; the AP & Coaches' Poll don't.

While Texas remains in limbo regarding the services of Myck Kabongo, UCLA (controversially) returned five-star freshman wing Shabazz Muhammad after just 3 games. He's averaging 16.0 PPG and 5.6 RPG but hasn't starred as expected. Fellow All-American recruits Kyle Anderson and Tony Parker have also struggled thus far. Anderson, forced to play off the ball, is shooting just 32.8%, while Parker hardly gets off the bench.

The biggest surprise has been freshman guard Jordan Adams. He was nowhere near as heralded as the aforementioned recruits, but is leading the Bruins with 17.8 PPG, hitting 48.9% from the field and 90.7% from the line.

The other three players to know in the rotation are all transfers from North Carolina. Senior point guard Larry Drew won't shoot (17-46 from the field) but can pass a little (8.5 APG). The Wear twins, Travis and David, can both score and rebound somewhat effectively.

The team that makes less mistakes and hits more shots likely wins. Neither team's fanbase is optimistic.

LINEUP

PROJECTED STARTERS

Texas: G - Javan Felix (#3 - Fr.) | G - Julien Lewis (#14 - So.) | G - DeMarcus Holland (#2 - Fr.) | F - Jonathan Holmes (#10 - So.) | C - Cameron Ridley (#55 - Fr.)

UCLA: G - Larry Drew II (#10 - Sr.) | G - Jordan Adams (#3 - Fr.) | G - Kyle Anderson (#5 - Fr.) | F - Shabazz Muhammad (#15 - Fr.) | F - Travis Wear (#24 - Jr.)

BENCH

Texas: G - Sheldon McClellan (#1 - So.) | F - Ioannis Papapetrou (#33 - Fr.) | F - Connor Lammert (#21 - Fr.) | C - Prince Ibeh (#44 - Fr.)

UCLA: G - Norman Powell (#4 - So.) | F - David Wear (#12 - Jr.) | C - Tony Parker (#23 - Fr.)

INJURIES/ISSUES

Texas: F - Jaylen Bond (Out - Foot) | G - Myck Kabongo (Up in the Air - NCAA Eligibility)

UCLA: C - Joshua Smith (Transfer - Left Program) | G - Tyler Lamb (Transfer - Left Program)

TEXASSPORTS.COM MEDIA/NOTES

MD ANDERSON
PROTON THERAPY SHOWCASE
TEXAS (5-3) vs. UCLA (5-3)
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 • 4:15 p.m. CT
Reliant Stadium

TV: ESPN
Dan Shulman, (play-by-play); Dick Vitale (analyst); Kaylee Hartung (reporter).
Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network
Craig Way (play-by-play); Eddie Oran (analyst).
Satellite Radio: XM 202 / Sirius 216
Streaming Audio: TexasSports.com