University of North Texas Athletics
Metroplex Rivals Set For Saturday Showdown
12/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| North Texas men's basketball at UT Arlington (RV) | |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Arlington, TX | College Park Center (7,000) |
| Live Stats | statbroadcast |
| TV | ESPN3 |
| Radio | MGRN - 88.1 KNTU-FM, 95.3 KHYI-FM - John Liddle (PxP) |
| @MeanGreenMBB | |
| Game Notes | North Texas | UTA |
DENTON - After a highly competitive road game at Oklahoma, the North Texas men's basketball faces another tough road battle against metroplex rival UT Arlington on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at College Park Center.
North Texas (4-4) opened a lot of eyes by holding Oklahoma to its lowest scoring output of the season in an 82-72 loss on Nov. 30. The Mean Green drained 13 three-pointers in the loss, tied for sixth-most in school history. In the end, the Sooners made big shots down the stretch to survive the upset but North Texas came away with positives.
The Mean Green outrebounded Oklahoma 31-28 and dished out 17 assists thanks to 14 combined from Ryan Woolridge and A.J. Lawson. Woolridge ran the offense efficiently with nine points, six rebounds and eight assists. Lawson finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high six assists.
Sophomore guard Roosevelt Smart continues to lead the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game and had 15 points off five three-pointers against Oklahoma. Smart is ranked 65th in the nation in total points at 137 points, which is the second-best point total in seven years at North Texas.
With five games remaining in the non-conference slate, North Texas is hoping to turn the corner and it starts with UTA on the road. In the month of December, the Mean Green will have three road games, including a trip to San Diego (Dec. 16) and at Georgetown (Dec. 20).
About the Opponent: UTA
• This will be the 55th meeting all-time between North Texas and UTA, the Mean Green lead the series 30-24. In the last 20 years, the Mavericks have dominated the rivalry with a 9-2 record since Jan. 6, 1996.
• In the previous meeting, North Texas lost at home to UTA, 77-61, on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2017 but the Mean Green only trailed by four points at halftime. Jeremy Combs finished with a double-double on 21 points and 12 rebounds. UTA's Kevin Hervery finished with a double-double on 21 points and 10 rebounds. North Texas held Erick Neal to just three points. The Mavericks made 10 three-pointers in the road victory.
• UTA enters the game with a 6-1 record, including 3-0 at home. The Mavericks have won four in a row with their last loss coming at Alabama, 77-76, on Nov. 21. UTA is averaging 82.3 points per game.
• Senior Kevin Hervey leads the team in scoring at 23.5 points per game and is second in rebounding at 8.5 boards per game. Hervey has hit 17 three-pointers in six games. Hervey is averaging 20.5 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game in two games against UNT.
• Senior Erick Neal leads the nation in assists at 11.3 per game and is third on the team in scoring at 12.7 per game. Graduate transfer from Virginia Tech, Johnny Hamilton is second in scoring at 15.1 per game and leads the team in blocks with 19.
