March 18, 2008
No. 15 Austin Peay (24-10) at No. 2 Texas (28-6)
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Ticker) - After losing in the Big 12 Conference title game for the third straight year, Texas hopes to begin a deep NCAA Tournament run with Austin Peay in a first-round matchup of the South Regional on Friday.
Texas is a 16-point favorite and the 'total' is hovering around 139 1/2.
The Longhorns (28-6), who have won a first-round matchup in five of the last six seasons, received the second seed for the second time in three seasons. Texas made it to the "Elite Eight" that season and last appeared in the Final Four in 2003.
Before losing to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament title game, the Longhorns had won 12 of its last 13 games.
Guards D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams average 19.8 and 16.1 points per game, respectively, helping make up for the loss of Kevin Durant to the NBA. Augustin also leads the team with 5.7 assists per game.
Damion James provides an inside complement to the backcourt duo by averaging 13.2 points and 10.5 rebounds.
The 15th-seeded Governors (24-10) come in having won six straight games and 11 of their last 12 en route to capturing the Ohio Valley Conference title.
Austin Peay, which has one win in four all-time trips to the NCAAs, has five players averaging double figures, led by Drake Reed's 14.6 points per game.
The winner will face either Miami or Saint Mary's in the second round on Sunday.
Back to Bracket page.
Check out our NCAAB odds and matchup reports.
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