Austin, TX (My Sportsbook) - The O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic presents a major mismatch tonight, as the third-ranked Texas Longhorns play host to the Western Carolina Catamounts.
Western Carolina is fresh off a 65-41 romp over St. Catherine's College in Kentucky on Saturday, and that game marked the season opener for the Catamounts. They exceeded expectations by grabbing a share of the North Division title in the Southern Conference last season, and this year's group figures to be even better. Head coach Larry Hunter has the experience and talent on his roster to battle for the SoCon crown, but beating Texas on its own floor appears highly unlikely.
As for Texas, it cruised past UC-Irvine by an 89-42 final on Sunday to open the season in style. The Longhorns fell short of expectations last year, as they tied for fourth in the Big 12 Conference despite fielding a roster many thought could win the league title. The program did extend its streak of 20- win campaigns to 10 straight, but made a quick exit from the NCAA Tournament. The valuable experience gained, plus a highly regarded incoming class, has Texas in position to contend for the national title under Rick Barnes here in 2009-10.
This game marks the first-ever meeting between Western Carolina and Texas on the hardwood.
The Catamounts return a dangerous backcourt tandem of Harouna Mutombo, who is the nephew of former NBA great Dikembe Mutombo, and swingman Brandon Giles. The two players led the team is scoring a year ago as Mutombo posted 14.4 ppg, to go along with a team-best 4.6 rpg, while Giles averaged 13.2 ppg. Giles and Kendall Russell led Western Carolina with 12 points apiece in the season- opening victory over St. Catherine. Mutombo added eight points and seven rebounds from his guard position for the Catamounts, who won rather easily despite a 3-of-20 effort from three-point range and 16 turnovers. They played tremendous team defense against their overmatched opponent, holding St. Catherine's to 25 percent shooting from the floor. Slowing down the Longhorns will obviously be much more difficult.
Texas standout Damion James flirted with the NBA draft prior to removing his name shortly before the deadline, and that was huge for the 'Horns. James, a three-year starter, averaged 15.4 ppg and 9.2 rpg last season and barring an injury, he should become the school's all-time leading rebounder. Joining James in the paint is center Dexter Pittman, who checks in at 6-10 and 265 pounds. Pittman came through with 10.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg last season, and in the opener against UC-Irvine, both he and James scored 21 points apiece. James also ripped down 15 rebounds, and the Longhorns got 13 points from J'Covan Brown. Jordan Hamilton netted 12 points off the bench for Texas, and Avery Bradley contributed 10 points. The Longhorns, who earned a 49-30 rebounding advantage, shot 56.5 percent from the floor and limited the Anteaters to 27.4 percent shooting.
