Men's Basketball Begins Title Run With Arkansas State

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DENTON, Texas (3/05/08) - North Texas punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament by knocking off Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference title game last year. Now the Mean Green faces the Indians in first-round action from the Super Pit tonight at 7 p.m.

Collin Dennis has made the most of his games against Arkansas State. The junior poured in 30 points on the Indians in January and followed that with a 24 point performance in February. He is shooting 55.2 percent from the floor in averaging 27.0 points per game versus ASU.

The Indians hold a 16-12 all-time edge over the Mean Green, but North Texas has taken the last three meetings. The series dates back to 1963, when ASU took the first meeting, 64-63, in Jonesboro. The Indians also hold a 7-5 all-time advantage at the Super Pit.

Saturday’s game will be a rematch of the 2007 Sun Belt title game. North Texas advanced to the NCAA Tournament with an 83-75 win at the Cajundome in Lafayette, La. Arkansas State swept the pair of regular season meetings in 2006-07, but North Texas took both regular season meetings with ASU this year. The game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. CST, and can be heard on the Mean Green Radio Network.

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Quincy Williams is playing the best basketball of his career at the right time. The senior has put up four straight double-double performances, averaging 13.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per outing over that span.

North Texas picked up its 19th win on Saturday night, making the Mean Green just one victory away from its second straight 20-win season. NT hasn’t had back-to-back 20-win campaigns since 1976-77 and 1977-78.

The Mean Green can secure its school-record 15th home win of the year if it tops Arkansas State on Wednesday. NT is currently tied with the 1975-76 and 1977-78 teams with 14 home wins.

North Texas swept two Sun Belt teams this year, and just as importantly, managed to not get swept by any opponents this year. The last time North Texas went an entire season without being swept was 1988-89.

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Collin Dennis

Quincy Williams

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