University of North Texas Athletics
Hot Springs: Day 4
3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
North Texas Men's Basketball vs. Denver Live Chat
Day 3 Blog
Day 2 Blog
Day 1 Blog
11:16 p.m. - The postgame press conference featuring Coach Johnny Jones and George Odufuwa:
10:30 p.m. - The Mean Green have done it! North Texas advances to the Sun Belt Championship game and will take on the Troy Trojans tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. We will have all the latest right here at MeanGreenSports.com!
8:15 p.m. - Coach Jones' pregame interview with the Mean Green Radio Network:
7:52 p.m. - We got about 40 minutes before the Mean Green tipoff against Denver and to let you know how big this game is, not only is Brad Sham in the house, but ESPNDallas.com's very own Tim MacMahon is sitting courtside to cover the game.
7:45 p.m. - Well if North Texas is to win a Sun Belt Championship they're going to have to beat both Denver and Troy. The number one seeded Trojans survived a late scare to beat WKU and move on to the championship.
7:32 p.m. - Now with 4:54 left this game has come to a grinding halt...however, A.J. Slaughter may have finally woken up. He just knocked down a big three from the left wing to give WKU a 48-47 lead.
7:23 p.m. - WKU is in prime position to pull off another comeback...Troy's offense has gotten very stale and the Hilltoppers have managed to hang around despite A.J. Slaughter stuck on two points. With 7:57 left, Troy leads 45-43.
7:12 p.m. - Here comes the WKU run, now only down 41-36 with 13:29 left in the game..an 11-3 run to open the second half.
6:54 p.m. - Halftime Score: Troy - 38, Western Kentucky - 25. For your game one halftime entertainment, we present the previously teased video featuring Hank Dickenson, Stephen Howard, and legendary sports broadcaster Brad Sham. Topics include travel schedules and the career of one George Dunham. Enjoy!
6:38 p.m. - The Hilltoppers had managed to cut the deficit to six points but Troy is closing the first half strong. Brandon Hazzard is draining 3's from all over the court and the Trojans now lead 36-22 with 2:53 left.
6:21 p.m. - We're here courtside at The Summit and Troy leads early 19-10. Sitting next to the North Texas assistant coaches as they scout the game. So far Troy looks really smooth on offense and WKU is struggling mightily, including A.J. Slaughter who is 0-for-3 from the floor.
5:42 p.m. - We have arrived at the arena. Western Kentucky and Troy are both on the floor warming up. As a bonus for all you Mean Green fans, I'll be posting a special video very shortly. I just walked out of the media room where Hank Dickenson and Stephen Howard had an informal chat with the one and only Brad Sham. Mr. Sham is in town to call the championship game tomorrow night for Westwood One Radio. Check back shortly for the video.
3:14 p.m. - It's the calm before the storm as we're still about 5 hours away before the Mean Green take on Denver. As Jordan said earlier today has been a really slow day and since we're the last game it's making the wait even more agonizing. A few reflections from last night's thriller...it truly was a heck of a win no matter how you look at it.
ULM had no reason losing that game but North Texas took advantage of a handful of miscues in a two-minute span and found a way to win. That's what good teams do...that's what championship teams do.
As for tonight North Texas can't afford to fall behind like they did last night. Denver plays even slower than ULM and will take 33 of the 35 seconds of the shot clock if they can.
Be sure to join us in the live chat at around 8:15 or so depending on when WKU/Troy wrap up.
12:52 p.m. - Yesterday was a very busy day in Hot Springs. Today is a bit slower. Waiting for the last game of the day can be frustrating. Earlier this morning I heard the Middle Tennessee band outside the hotel when their women's team left for the arena.
On the men's side, Western Kentucky and Troy get things started tonight at 6:00 p.m. We're going to be courtside for that game, posting updates here on the blog as that game progresses. Don't forget about the live chat during the North Texas-Denver game, and if you can't see it on TV, Hank and Steven will have the call on the Mean Green Radio Network. Tip is scheduled for 8:30 tonight, but will probably actually start a few minutes later if the first game goes long.
Until then, check out these videos of both Mean Green teams receiving awards from the Sun Belt Conference over the weekend. The men were presented with academic awards and the Western Division championship trophy before last night's game:
Before the women's game with FIU on Saturday, Jasmine Godbolt was presented with her Freshman of the Year award:
Today's Schedule
- Men's Semifinal Games vs. Denver, 8:30 p.m., Summit Arena
- Mean Green Send-Offs, 7:45 p.m., Austin Hotel Lobby (men): Join North Texas Spirit Groups approx 1 1/2 hours prior to tp-offs and rally the Mean Green as the men's team departs from the Austin Hotel,and as the women's team arrives at the Summit Arena.
- Hot Hoops in Hot Springs Headquarters, TBA Lucky's Bar & Grill, 711 Central Ave., Hot Springs: Mean Green Nation pre & post-game gatherings at Lucky's Bar & Grill with specials including Mean Green Margaritas and Green Pride Beer.
