University of North Texas Athletics
Men's Hoops Announces Non-Conference Schedule
8/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON - North Texas head coach Tony Benford has released the non-conference portion of the 2016-17 men's basketball schedule that features home games against UTA, San Diego and road contests at Texas Tech, Rutgers and Sam Houston State.
"We are looking forward to playing a very challenging non-conference schedule," head coach Tony Benford said. "Playing at Texas Tech, an NCAA Tournament team last season, will provide a great early season challenge. We will participate in a multi-team tournament event at Rutgers, and home games versus Drexel, Niagara, and Hartford."
North Texas will open the season against Sul Ross State on Nov. 11 at the Super Pit. Just four days later, the Mean Green will head to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech, who finished 19-13 last season and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed, falling to Butler, 71-61.
The Mean Green was 11-7 at the Super Pit last season and hopes to build upon that success with nine of the 12 non-conference games coming at home. As part of a multi-team tournament, NT will host Drexel (Nov. 20), play at Big Ten member Rutgers on Nov. 23, hosts Niagara (Nov. 25), and Hartford at the Super Pit Nov. 27.
North Texas will face stiff competition against seven postseason teams from 2015-16, including two state rivals UTA and Sam Houston State. The Mean Green holds a 30-24 overall record against UTA and own a 35-28 record against Sam Houston State. Last season, North Texas defeated Sam Houston State, 69-64, and lost at UTA, 90-67.
"Our home game against UTA, and at Sam Houston State are two quality teams who will be picked to win their conferences," added Benford. "These games will prepare us for the most challenging Conference USA schedule that we have played since joining the league with five out of our first seven games on the road."
Entering his fifth season at North Texas, Benford has 54 career wins, which ranks third most after a coach's first four seasons in school history. Other postseason participants on the Mean Green schedule include LA Tech (Vegas 16), Middle Tennessee (NCAA), Old Dominion (Vegas 16) and UAB (NIT).
"Our staff and players are very excited about the upcoming season and we look forward to competing for a league championship," Benford said.
The Mean Green will also host Texas College on Nov. 30 (DISD game), Delaware State (Dec. 8), Southeastern Louisiana (Dec. 20), and San Diego (Dec. 22) in non-conference play.
Date | Day | Opponent | Site |
Nov. 11 | Friday | Sul Ross State | Super Pit |
Nov. 15 | Tuesday | At Texas Tech | Lubbock, TX |
Nov. 20 | Sunday | Drexel | Super Pit |
Nov. 23 | Wednesday | At Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ |
Nov. 25 | Friday | Niagara | Super Pit |
Nov. 27 | Sunday | Hartford | Super Pit |
Nov. 30 | Wednesday | Texas College (DISD game) | Super Pit |
Dec. 3 | Saturday | UTA | Super Pit |
Dec. 8 | Thursday | Delaware State | Super Pit |
Dec. 17 | Saturday | At Sam Houston State | Houston, TX |
Dec. 20 | Tuesday | Southeastern LA | Super Pit |
Dec. 22 | Thursday | San Diego | Super Pit |
