University of North Texas Athletics
NT Opens Record Homestand Against Bearkats
12/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
North Texas (3-5) vs. Sam Houston State (3-6)
Denton, Texas • The Super Pit (10,500)
Dec. 10, 2011 • 7:00 p.m. CST
Radio: 88.1 KNTU-FM, 100.7 KWRD-FM
George Dunham (PBP), Hank Dickenson (Color)
TV: NTTV (Denton Charter, Verizon)
Live Stats & Webcast
Series: NT leads 33-28 • @ Super Pit: NT leads 10-1
GAME NOTES
DENTON, Texas – North Texas went to Los Angeles last week with a ton of question marks and a 1-4 record. They returned with a pair of wins and a new identity – one of an excellent rebounding and free throw shooting team.
NT entered last weekend’s LMU Classic ranked a respectable 117th in the nation with a 69.7 free throw percentage. But after shooting 90.7 percent (49-of-54) from the stripe in the three games in Los Angeles, NT now ranks 25th with a mark of 75.2 percent. Against La Sierra, NT was 18-of-19 (94.7 percent) from the line, which ranks second in school history.
Alzee Williams, who ranks sixth in the nation with a 95.5 percent free throw mark, finally missed from the stripe. The sophomore made his first 18 attempts of the year and is now 21-of-22.
Head coach Johnny Jones has been teaching his troops to treasure each possession, and it was evident against Loyola Marymount. NT committed just four turnovers against the Lions, which are the fewest by a Mean Green team since a four-turnover game versus McNeese St. in 1993. NT ranks 61st in the nation with a +3.0 turnover margin this year.
North Texas and Sam Houston State enjoy a series that dates back to 1926, with the Mean Green leading 33-28. NT has won five of the last seven meetings, including two of the three games in the Jones era. At the Super Pit, North Texas holds a solid 10-1 advantage over SHSU.
Sam Houston State has won three consecutive Southland Conference West Division titles. The Bearkats won four of their final five games in 2010-11 to finish in a tie with Texas State for the division lead at 10-6. SHSU has been a top three seed in the Southland Conference Tournament in each of the last six seasons.
The Bearkats were picked to finish fifth in the Southland’s West Division in the annual Preseason Coaches and SID polls.
