Undefeated Texas heads to New York for Jimmy V Classic clash with No. 17 Illinois
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 17 Illinois
6 p.m. Tuesday, Madison Square Garden (New York City)
TV/radio: ESPN/104.9
About the series: Texas leads 3-2. The Longhorns and Fighting Illini last met in 2010. Tuesday's matchup is part of the annual Jimmy V Classic.
About the Longhorns: Of the 352 Division I men's programs, Texas is one of only 12 remaining undefeated teams. ... Defensively, UT is fifth-best nationally with its 3-point percentage defense (.232). Gonzaga is the only opponent that has hit more than five 3-pointers against the Longhorns, and no individual player has made more than three. ... In two games against ranked Gonzaga and Creighton teams this season, Carr has 12 assists and just one turnover. ... Hunter has scored at least 10 points in every game this season.
About the Fighting Illini: Illinois is 1-2 against ranked teams. The Illini beat then-No. 8 UCLA on Nov. 18, but lost to No. 16 Virginia two days later. And they opened Big Ten play last week with a 71-66 loss to No. 22 Maryland. ... Shannon, who played for UT coach Chris Beard at Texas Tech, hit eight 3-pointers against UCLA to tie an Illinois record. ... Hawkins is one of 12 Division I players with a triple-double this season. He had 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Syracuse last month. ... Mayer, a teammate of Texas forward Brock Cunningham's at Westlake High, won a national title at Baylor.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Men's basketball preview: Ranked Texas, Illinois to play in New York
