BAYLOR (7-3, 0-0) at No. 11 TEXAS (11-2, 0-0)
Jan. 9, 2005 - Frank Erwin Center (Austin, Texas) - 2:00 p.m. CST

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RADIO: Baylor Radio Network (ESPN/KRZI 1660AM Waco)
INTERNET AUDIO: live broadcast at BaylorBears.com
TELEVISION: live telecast on FSN Southwest
INTERNET VIDEO (BEARCAST): none
LIVE STATS: live stats at TexasSports.com

THE GAME
Baylor opens its conference season Sunday, Jan. 9, when it faces No. 11 Texas in Austin. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST and the game will be telecast live on FSN Southwest. The Bears are 7-3, 0-0 on the season and riding their first five-game winning streak since the 2001-2002 season following a 77-59 home win over Chicago State Monday. Baylor, the nation's most inexperienced team, is playing with limited scholarships and with nine newcomers. The Longhorns own an 11-2, 0-0 record after a 74-67 win over Memphis at home Thursday night and are ranked 11th nationally. Sunday marks the 220th game between Baylor and Texas, the most-played rivalry for both schools, as well as the conference opener for both schools. The Bears have lost 13 straight games to UT dating back to 1998.

BAYLOR TIP-INS
- Baylor is on its first 5-game winning streak since starting the 2001-2002 season 5-0 (The Bears haven't won 6 straight since starting the 2000-01 season 12-0).
- Tim Bush was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week Monday after averaging 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in wins over Purdue and Prairie View A&M last week.
- Sunday is the 220th game between BU & UT, the most-played rivalry for both teams.
- Aaron Bruce ranks 1st in the Big 12 in 3-point shooting (55%), 3rd in FG shooting (56%) and 2nd in FT shooting (85%).
- Only 3 Baylor players (2 walk-ons) have played in a Big 12 Conference game [LSU transfer Tim Bush played a non-conference game vs. Texas A&M with the Tigers].
- Baylor has lost 13 straight games to Texas (last win: 80-75, 2-21-98 in Waco).
- Texas senior G Kenny Taylor played 2 seasons at Baylor [4th on school's all-time 3-point list - 39.0%].
- Baylor has lost 10 straight games vs. ranked opponents (2-23 last 4 years).
- Three Baylor players are shooting 50% or better on 3-pointers (Aaron Bruce 55% [23-42], Tim Bush 55% [6-11] and Richard Hurd 50% [8-16]).
- Baylor has shot better than 50% from the field in 5 of 6 wins this season.
- Baylor is the nation's most inexperienced team (only 1 returning scholarship player).
- Baylor has dressed 7 or fewer scholarship players for 39 straight games [15-24 record] (since final game of 2002-2003 season).
- 4 Bears have double-digit scoring averages.
- Junior Tommy Swanson has made 39 straight starts (BU's longest streak since John Lucas III started 41 consecutive games from 2001-2003).
- Freshman Aaron Bruce or sophomore Tim Bush has led the team in scoring in 8 of 10 games.
- Baylor ranks 2nd in the Big 12 in 3-point shooting, averaging 7.6 3s per game.
- 66 of Kevis Shipman's 68 points scored this season are from 3-pointers (22).
- Baylor is 2nd in the Big 12 in steals-per-game, averaging 9.7 [Tommy Swanson ranks 9th (1.7), Aaron Bruce ranks 11th (1.6), Patrick Fields ranks 15th (1.5)]
- Baylor's roster includes two active players taller than 6-6 (Mark Shepherd 6-9 and Tommy Swanson 6-10) [Mamadou Diene, 7-0, is expected to join team in January].
- Over the past five seasons Baylor is 50-3 when totaling an equal or higher shooting percentage than its opponent (7-0 this season).
- Two of Baylor's newcomers formerly were at other Division I schools. Sophomore Tim Bush played 10 games as a freshman at LSU in 2002-2003 and sophomore Patrick Fields was a redshirt at Mississippi in 2002-2003.

HEAD COACH Scott Drew
Scott Drew is in his second season of the massive rebuilding project he undertook at Baylor and owns a two-year mark of 15-24 and a career record of 35-35 (3 seasons). Drew spent 10 seasons at Valparaiso, the last as head coach after nine seasons as an assistant to his father Homer. During his decade at Valpo, the Crusaders earned six NCAA Tournament berths, including five straight from 1996-2000. An outstanding recruiter, Drew is responsible for four national Top-20 recruiting classes over the last six years. He was named the 1998-99 National Recruiter of the Year by Court Vision and helped produce what HoopScoop named the nation's sixth best recruiting class in 2001, the 10th best in 2004, the 13th best in 1999 and the 19th best in 2003.

THE TEXAS SERIES
Sunday marks the 220th meeting between Baylor and Texas with the Longhorns holding a 144-75 advantage in the all-time series. Texas holds a 79-26 edge in games played in Austin. The Longhorns have won 13 straight meetings. Baylor's last victory over Texas came Feb. 21, 1998 when the Bears knocked off UT 80-75 at home. The series, dating back to the 1905-06 season, is the most-played rivalry for both schools.

THE TEXAS LONGHORNS
No. 11 Texas (11-2, 0-0) is led by seventh-year head coach Rick Barnes, in his 18th year as a head coach. Barnes owns a career record of 354-194 with stints at George Mason, Providence and Clemson; he is 152-60 with the Longhorns.

UT NOTES: Texas is 8-0 at home in the Erwin Center this season and has won 13 straight dating back to last year... Senior G Kenny Taylor played two seasons at Baylor before transferring to UT prior to last season, he is averaging 11.8 points... The Longhorns are led by sophomore F P.J. Tucker, who averages 14.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game... The Longhorns lead the Big 12 in scoring (86.8 ppg), rebounding (42.4) and 3-pointers per game (8.69).

CONFERENCE OPENERS
The Bears have dropped their last two conference-opening games, both on the road (79-57 at UT in 2003-04, 77-69 at Missouri 2002-03). Baylor beat Iowa State 79-74 in Waco to open the 2001-02 Big 12 season.

BUSH BIG 12 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Sophomore F Tim Bush was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week Jan. 3 after leading the Bears to wins over Purdue and Prairie View A&M. Bush, a transfer from LSU, averaged 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds to lead Baylor to two non-conference wins last week. He had a career-day in Baylor's 73-72 road upset of Purdue, posting career-highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds. Bush scored a then-career-high 20 points in the Bears' 84-52 home win over Prairie View A&M. Bush was honored along with co-Players of the Week Keith Langford (Kansas guard) and P.J. Tucker (Texas forward). The players are selected by a media panel which covers Big 12 men's basketball.

KATZ ON BUSH
ESPN.com's Andy Katz included Tim Bush in his "Player of the Week - Supporting Cast" for this week's Weekly Watch. Katz wrote: "Bush led the Bears with 23 points and 11 rebounds to one of the most stunning wins of the season, 73-72 at Purdue. The Bears simply don't have the talent to win on the road against a Big Ten team. Yet, the LSU transfer has given Baylor a much-needed lift. Bush is averaging 16.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in five games since becoming eligible."

CUB FROM DOWN UNDER LEADING BEARS
True freshman G Aaron Bruce has led the inexperienced Bears since the start of his young career. Bruce has started every game and leads the Bears in scoring (17.0 ppg; 5th in Big 12), 3-point percentage (54.8%; 1st in Big 12) and free throw shooting (85.3%; 2nd in Big 12). Bruce has scored in double-digits in nine of 10 games played and over the last seven games has hit 19-of-31 3-pointers (61%).

BUSH PLAYING WELL IN FIRST EXTENSIVE ACTION IN 4 YEARS
Sophomore F Tim Bush, a transfer from LSU, has made an immediate impact since gaining his eligibility following the fall semester. Bush is averaging 16.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 32.0 minutes and has scored in double-digits in five of six games (scored nine points in limited action vs. Southern due to leg cramps) - including a career day in Baylor's upset of Purdue Dec. 30 (23 points, 11 rebounds in 40 minutes). Bush is playing substantial minutes for the first time in four seasons. After not playing his senior season of high school, Bush played just 36 minutes in 10 games for LSU as a true freshman in 2002-03 and transferred prior to last season - which he sat out at Baylor as a redshirt.

"VETERAN" SWANSON SHOWING STEADY IMPROVEMENT
Junior C Tommy Swanson, Baylor's only scholarship returnee, is stepping into his role as a major contributor in scoring and rebounding for the young Bears. Swanson has increased his average points to 13.7 (from 6.4 as a sophomore), shooting percentage to 61 percent [1st in Big 12] (from 45), rebounds to 7.5 [5th in Big 12] (from 4.1) and minutes to 27.8 (from 22.1). Swanson has made 39 consecutive starts, Baylor's longest streak since current Oklahoma State All-American John Lucas III started 41 consecutive games during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

BIG 12'S TOP SHOOTER?
Through the first 10 games of his career, true freshman Aaron Bruce is establishing himself as a proficient shooter. The guard from Australia, tabbed the Big 12's "best jump shooter" in Lindy's preseason publication, currently ranks first in the conference in 3-point shooting (23-of-42, 54.8%), third in field goal shooting (59-of-105, 56.2%) and second in free throw shooting (29-of-34; 85.3%).

BEARS vs. NATIONALLY RANKED FOES
Sunday's matchup at No. 11 Texas is Baylor's first game against a ranked opponent this season. The Bears are 2-23 over the last four seasons vs. ranked teams and have lost 10 straight since knocking off No. 13 Oklahoma State 74-72 in Stillwater (2-15-03).

THE LAST MEETING: No. 11 TEXAS 84 - BAYLOR 58 [Feb. 10, 2004]
Former Bear Kenny Taylor scored 18 to lead No. 11 Texas to an 84-58 win over Baylor at the Ferrell Center. After Matt Sayman missed a tying 3-pointer for the Bears with about 4 minutes left in the first half, Taylor hit three 3-pointers in a half-ending 15-1 run that gave the Longhorns a 36-19 lead. Harvey Thomas led Baylor with 20 points, while Terrance Thomas had 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Bears shot just 29 percent (18-of-62). Baylor scored four quick points when Sayman made a basket and Terrance Thomas made two free throws after a technical foul to get within 41-23, but that was the last time the Bears' deficit was less than 20. Kenton Paulino hit two 3-pointers and Texas scored eight straight points.

LAST TIME OUT: BAYLOR 77 - CHICAGO STATE 59
Tommy Swanson had a career night in leading Baylor to a 77-59 victory over Chicago State at the Ferrell Center. The junior center posted career-highs of 19 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in the win. The victory was the fifth straight for the Bears, their longest winning streak since the 2001-02 season. Trailing 35-22, Chicago State reeled off eight straight points to cut Baylor's lead to 35-30 three minutes into the second half. The Cougars pulled to within one point on three occasions, the last time at 48-47 with just under 10 minutes remaining. But the Bears went on a 12-3 run fueled by seven points from Swanson and moved in front 60-50 at the 5:49 mark. Baylor led by as much as 20 points at 73-53 with 1:30 remaining. Baylor scored the game's first seven points and extended its margin to 33-22 at the half. Tim Bush led the way for the Bears with 11 first-half points.

BIG 12 ROOKIES OF THE WEEK
Baylor newcomers have been honored as Big 12 Rookie of the Week in back-to-back weeks recently. Sophomore forward Tim Bush was selected Jan. 3 and true freshman guard Aaron Bruce was honored Dec. 27. Bush, a transfer from LSU, received the award after leading the Bears to wins over Purdue and Prairie View A&M and averaging 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. Bruce, a native of Australia, was honored for his performance in a win over Maryland-Eastern Shore in which he scored a game-high 22 points and shot 73 percent (8-for-11) from the field - including 4-for-7 from 3-point distance. This is the first time Baylor has had two players named rookie of the week in the same season since 2001-2002, when former Bears John Lucas III (twice) and Lawrence Roberts were so honored.

NATION'S MOST INEXPERIENCED TEAM
Baylor returned just three players from it's 2003-04 roster this season, including two walk-ons. Nine new players were included on the 2004-05 preseason roster. Baylor is the nation's only team (and the only team in recent memory) to have only one scholarship returnee. The three returnees had a combined total of four seasons of experience at the Division I level prior to this season. The 2004-05 roster includes nine underclassmen. This marks Baylor's second consecutive season of enduring short roster numbers (the Bears suited up between five and seven scholarship players during the 2003-04 season). Baylor has dressed 7 or fewer scholarship players for 39 straight games (since final game of 2002-03 season; 15-24 record during that span).

BAYLOR'S EARLY SIGNING CLASS RATED 11th NATIONALLY
Baylor's five-man early signee class is rated the 11th-best class in the nation according to HoopScoop and is one of the highest rated recruiting classes in recent school history. The class includes three national Top-100 players and three Top-10 state recruits. The signees include four prep seniors, Henry Dugat of Dayton (Texas) High School, Curtis Jerrells of Del Valle High School in Austin, Texas, Kevin Rogers of South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas and Jari Vanttaja of Oulu, Finland; as well as Tony Jones, a freshman at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas.

Rogers, a 6-8, 220-pound power forward, is rated the 35th-best recruit nationally by Rivals and Hoop Alliance and the sixth-best recruit in the state by Rivals. Dugat is a 6-0, 160-pound combo guard rated No. 69 nationally by Scout.com and the fifth-best recruit in the state by TexasHoops. Jerrells, a 6-1, 170-pound point guard, was named to the TABC 4A All-State second team. He is rated the No. 94 recruit nationally by Rivals and the No. 7 recruit in Texas by Texas Roundball. Vanttaja is a 6-10, 215-pound forward who recently averaged 14 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Finnish Junior National Team at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim, Germany. According to HoopScoop, if Vanttaja played in the U.S. he would be rated among the Top 50 high school prospects. Jones is a 6-7, 185-pound forward who redshirted the 2003-2004 season at Hill College and will have three seasons of eligibility at Baylor.

BAYLOR EARLY SIGNEES:Name        Pos.    Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (Schools)Henry Dugat G   6-0 160 Fr. Dayton, Texas (Dayton HS)Curtis Jerrells G   6-1 170 Fr. Austin, Texas (Del Valle HS)Tony Jones  F   6-7 185 So. San Antonio, Texas (Taft HS/Hill College)Kevin Rogers    F   6-8 220 Fr. Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff HS)Jari Vanttaja   F   6-10    215 Fr. Oulu, Finland (South Tapiola HS)

LOTS OF NEWCOMERS
The 2004-2005 Baylor roster includes seven newcomers and an additional two players who sat out last season. The nine new faces include three junior college transfers (junior G Kevis Shipman, sophomore G Roscoe Biggers and G/F Patrick Fields); one Division I transfer (sophomore F Tim Bush); and five high schoolers (G Aaron Bruce, C Mamadou Diene, G/F Hall Henderson, F Richard Hurd, F Mark Shepherd).

DEPARTED PLAYERS
Nine lettermen from Baylor's season-opening 2003-2004 roster are not on the 2004-2005 edition. With those departed players the Bears have lost 88.8 percent of their scoring and 86.4 percent of last season's rebounding. Gone is Baylor's all-time games-played leader Matt Sayman, the USBL's No. 1 draft pick R.T. Guinn, talented All-District honoree Terrance Thomas, the scoring of third-team All-Big 12 selection Harvey Thomas and 22-game starter Carl Marshall. Four players left due to graduation/expired eligibility (Guinn, Robbie McKenzie, Sayman, T. Thomas), three transferred (Will Allen, Corey Herring, Marshall), one left to play professionally (H. Thomas) and one was dismissed from the team (Ellis Kidd Jr.).

NEXT UP...
Baylor concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule with a home game vs. Savannah State Thursday, Jan. 13. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST at the Ferrell Center.