The University of Utah will seek its fifth consecutive win when it meets Texas tonight in Austin in what will be the Utes' final preseason basketball game of the season.
The game, which will begin at 6:35 MDT, will be televised locally on Ch. 2.The Utes probably will play again without team captain Phil Dixon, whose 14 points and 9 rebounds help them beat the Longhorns 87-76 last year in the Huntsman Center. Dixon has missed five games while recovering from knee surgery. He began to practice again with the Utes this week but on a limited basis. Team officials say it is doubtful he will play tonight.
Texas, 5-4, is led by its two guards, junior Terrance Rencher and senior B.J. Tyler, who are averaging 34 points 9 rebounds per game between them.
"Texas has probably the second or third best backcourt in the country," says Utah coach Rick Majerus. "They have an excellent combination of two guys who can score. And Tyler is a great assist guy and one of the few players in the nation who can get a double-double in points and assists every game."
The rest of Texas's lineup consists of 6-8 Albert Burditt, 6-7 Tremaine Wingfield and 6-9 Rich McIver. Burditt averages 14 points and 8 rebounds per game.
The Longhorns have played a tough schedule so far this season. They have beaten Nebraska, Notre Dame and Oklahoma and lost to Kentucky, Connecticut, Louisiana State and Florida.
"It's going to be a killer game," says Majerus. "We play a terrific team that is very well coached. They have great athletes."
The Utes continue to be led by freshman Keith Van Horn, who is averaging 17.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Since returning from a suspension two games ago, junior guard Darroll Wright has scored 33 points. Center Jason Jackman, a redshirt freshman, made his first start in Utah's last game and probably will start again against Texas in place of Doug Chapman. Forward Ma Jian and guard Terry Preston will complete Utah's lineup, with Mark Rydalch coming off the bench.
In the latest national statistics, the Utes rank fourth in free throw percentage (76.8), eighth in three-point field goals per game (9.2) and 10th in three-point field goal percentage (44.8).