University of North Texas Athletics
Road Tested NT Heads To Sam Houston
12/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
North Texas (7-1) vs. Sam Houston State (4-2)
Huntsville, Texas • Bernard Johnson Coliseum (6,100)
Dec. 8, 2010 • 7:00 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: KWRD 100.7-FM - Hank Dickenson (PBP)
Live Video
Live Stats
Series: NT leads 33-27 • Last: NT won 68-66 (12/3/08)
Game Notes
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - The last time North Texas went down to Huntsville to take on Sam Houston State in 2008, the Bearkats were riding a 45-game non-conference home winning streak - a streak that came to an end that night at the hands of NT.
Now the tables are turned, and it's the Mean Green that is riding an 18-game winning streak over non-ranked opponents and a five game run overall. At 7-1 on the young season, NT is off to its best start since 1976-77 (11-1) and the third-best start in modern Mean Green history (WWII).
At the heart of North Texas' success are Tristan Thompson and George Odufuwa. Thompson ranks 17th in the NCAA in scoring at 21.6 points per game, while Odufuwa's 10.6 rebounds per game puts him at 18th nationwide.
SHSU is off to a great start as well under new coach Jason Hooten, a six-year assistant under previous head coach Bob Marlin who took over the reigns at Louisiana-Lafayette this offseason. The Bearkats rolled to a 92-81 win at Colorado State and are 4-2 so far.
NT and Sam Houston State enjoy a series that dates back to 1926, with the Mean Green leading 33-27. NT has won five of the last six meetings, including both meetings of the Johnny Jones era. Those two games occurred less than two weeks apart in the 2008-09 campaign. NT topped the Bearkats 76-71 in Huntsville on Nov. 20 before taking a 68-66 win in Denton on Dec. 3.
Sam Houston is the defending Southland Conference champions, knocking off Stephen F. Austin in last year's title game. The Bearkats earned a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and gave No. 3 Baylor all it could handle in a 68-59 opening round loss.
