University of North Texas Athletics
Sun Belt Standings Tighten As Privateers Invade Denton
2/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas (2/12/09) - The Privateers handed the Mean Green its first Sun Belt loss in December, and North Texas will be looking for a measure of revenge on Thursday night. With just six regular season games remaining, the difference between second and seventh place in the SBC West Division is just two games. Action from the Super Pit begins at 7 p.m. (CST) and can be heard on the Mean Green Radio Network.
What To Watch For
Tristan Thompson went a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line against Louisiana-Lafayette, which ties for the 13th most makes in NT history. As a matter of fact, it was the most free throws made in a game since Jermaine Green hit 15 against South Alabama in 2002.
The 18-point UL win is North Texas’ most lopsided since the season opening 21-point victory over Cameron.
New Orleans leads the overall series with North Texas 14-6, including a 7-3 mark at the Super Pit. But fans are nearly guaranteed a close game as 10 of the last 13 meetings were decided by four points or less, including three in overtime.
This year’s squad is on pace to finish in the top 6 in NT history in free throws made, attempted and percentage. No other team in school history can make that claim.
In front of the season’s largest crowd of 4,053, NT knocked down 58.8 percent 3-point attempts against Louisiana. In its two double-digit wins over ULL this year, NT hit 21-of-35 (60.0 percent) from deep.
Guard Collin Mangrum will miss the remainder of the season after exacerbating chronic injuries that required multiple surguries following the 2006-07 season.
