GAME NOTES: Instate foes collide at the Frank Erwin Center tonight, as the 16th-ranked Texas Longhorns tip off their 2007-08 campaign against the Texas- San Antonio Roadrunners. Despite starting four freshmen on a regular basis last season, Texas was able to post a 25-10 overall mark and that includes a trip to the Big 12 Tournament finals. The Horns welcome back three of those freshmen from last year and four starters overall, and that should have the club primed for a 10th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Getting started on the right note is something Texas has become accustom to, winning seven of its nine season openers under head coach Rick Barnes. As for UTSA, it opened its 2007-08 campaign on a high note, posting a 69-47 triumph over Hardin-Simmons on Friday. It was a solid beginning for the Roadrunners, who return four starters from last year's club that finished a dismal 7-22 under first-year head coach Brooks Thompson. As far as the all-time series is concerned, Texas has won all five of the previous meetings with UTSA, including a 100-82 triumph in the most recent encounter in 2004.

The Roadrunners made good on 41.2 percent of their shots from the field and 22-of-31 at the foul line, as they opened their season with a 22-point win over Hardin-Simmons. The team also forced an eye-popping 29 turnovers in which it scored 26 points from in the win. Devin Gibson was impressive in his collegiate debut, as he poured in a game-high 20 points. He made 6-of-10 field goals in the contest and he also showed the ability to play defense, recording a team-high five steals. Travis Gabbidon added 14 points and four boards to the mix, while Joey Shank posted 13 points of his own. Melvin Smith though, was held to just three points and that was a bit surprising considering he led the team in scoring (12.9 ppg) a season ago.

The Longhorns return three of their four freshmen starters from a year ago, but the one rookie that isn't back is superstar Kevin Durant, who was picked second in the NBA draft after averaging 25.8 ppg and 11.1 rpg last season. This year's club will rely more on the backcourt duo of D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams. The 6-0 Augustin didn't get as much recognition as Durant did last season, but the sophomore was stellar in leading the team in assists (6.7 apg) and ranking third in scoring (14.4 ppg). As for the 5-11 Abrams, he finished second on the club in scoring (15.5 ppg) last season, and the junior has the potential to increase that number with Durant now missing from the lineup. In the frontcourt, Damion James started all 35 games as a freshman last season and he was productive in averaging 7.6 ppg and 7.2 rpg.

Texas is the obvious choice here and it should be able to dominate this game at both ends of the floor en route to the victory.