Return to Play: Mean Green Basketball Updates
11/16/2020 9:00:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
This page will contain all of the most up-to-date information available from Mean Green Athletics on the 2020-21 men's and women's basketball seasons. Our goal is to provide our fans with the safest, most fan-friendly atmosphere possible in the Super Pit. As more information becomes available and policies and procedures change, updates will be communicated to fans in a timely manner.
Mean Green Basketball Return to Play FAQ:
Q: Will I be required to wear a face covering?
A: Yes. All fans and staff will be required to wear face masks inside of the Super Pit at all times except while eating or drinking.
Q: How are tickets being handled for the 2020-21 basketball seasons?
A: Due to the large reduction in ticket inventory, we have been working with season ticket holders to assign new seat locations that support social distancing and spacing within each section throughout the stadium for the 2020-21 seasons.
Single game tickets will go on sale, based on availability, closer to the season starting.
Q: What are the capacity limits inside the Super Pit?
A: Seating will be limited to 1,500 people per game.
Q: Will season ticket prices remain the same?
A: Yes, while seat location will likely differ, this is a change being experienced by all, and your donor rank and priority points will grant you access to the best seats relative to your peers.
Q: What if I opt out of season tickets for the 2020 season? How do I do so?
A: If you choose to opt out you will have three options. Simply reach out to the UNT Athletics Ticket Office at (940) 565-2527 or Email at ticketoffice@unt.edu to begin the process.
- A credit for the equal amount will be applied to your account for the 2021 football season
- You can opt to support the UNiTe Initiative and move the ticket payment amount to a 100% charitable donation to the MGSF in support of our student athletes.
- Request a refund
Q: What if I am not an MGSF member, but I select seats that require a per-seat contribution?
A: You will be required to pay the MGSF per-seat contribution.
Q: What if I purchase fewer tickets than I have in the past, leaving a credit on my account?
A: That surplus can be rolled to the 2021-22 season as a ticket credit or shifted to a 100% tax deductible MGSF donation. Refer to Question seven above.
Q: May I purchase more tickets than I have in the past?
A: If you are interested in purchasing more than in the past, please reach out to the ticket office at 940-565-2527.
Q: Can I only purchase two seats in a block of eight that is available?
A: No; fans must purchase the entire block. Multiple groups purchasing in the same block would violate social distancing guidelines.
Q: Which gate should I enter the Super Pit from?
A: Tickets may have suggested entry gates for fans based on their seat location in the Super Pit. However, fans may enter the Super Pit at any open gate.
Q: Will health screens be required to enter the Super Pit?
A: No; however, we are asking fans to self-screen before arriving at the Super Pit if exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, we ask all fans to practice and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Q: Can my whole family sit together?
A: Yes, families may sit together without social distancing themselves from one another, provided they are sitting in purchased, assigned seats and that a ticket has been purchased for anyone over the age of two.
Q: What is preventing fans from sitting in non-distanced seats?
A: We ask for your cooperation by sitting in the seat that you selected during the select-a-seat event. In order to ensure a safe environment throughout the season, cooperation is necessary from all fans.
Q: How will I receive my tickets?
A: All tickets will be emailed as mobile tickets to be downloaded to your smartphone. Fans unable to access mobile tickets can visit the ticket office to obtain printed tickets.
Q: Will concessions be available?
A: Yes. Safety measures including Plexiglas check-out guards and contactless payment methods have been implemented. Fans will also have the option to purchase from their mobile devices by utilizing the FanFood app.
Q: Will restrooms be open?
A: Yes.
Q: Are fans allowed on the court or in tunnels at court level?
A: No. Only pre-approved, health-screened coaches, staff, and officials are allowed on the court at any time.
Q: How will fans exit the Super Pit?
A: We ask that fans stagger their exit times to avoid overcrowding at exits and to maintain social distancing.
Q: What if all or part of the season is interrupted?
A: In a spirit of flexibility, we will work with our season ticket holders to provide credit to future seasons or a refund if desired as we navigate potential changes in the upcoming seasons.
2020-21 Men's Basketball Schedule
All games, dates, times and location are subject to change
2020-21 Women's Basketball Schedule
All games, dates, times and location are subject to change
Nov 3, 2025 at 5:30 PMvs Oklahoma ChristianDenton, TX
Nov 7, 2025 at 6 PMvs Grambling StateDenton, TX
Nov 13, 2025 at 6 PMvs Nelson University (TX)Denton, TX
Nov 19, 2025 at 11 AMvs Abilene ChristianDenton, TX
Nov 22, 2025 at TBAat SMUDallas, TX
Mean Green Mobile Ticketing
The Mean Green Ticket Office has introduced enhanced mobile ticketing options for UNT athletic events. Mobile tickets are the safest and most convenient option for enjoying your Mean Green gameday experience. Please click here to visit the mobile ticketing hub.
Mean Green Concessions Mobile Ordering
Mean Green Concessions is partnering with FanFood, an in-venue mobile ordering platform, for the upcoming football season. This partnership enhances social distancing measures at Apogee Stadium by offering a contactless ordering option for fans. It also provides a more convenient option for patrons, while increasing the efficiency of the Mean Green Concessions staff.
Unfinished Business - November 24
It's rare to win a regular season conference championship for the first time in 31 years and still have unfinished business as your motivation for the next season.
But after COVID-19 put an end to the Mean Green's 2020 NCAA Tournament hopes just a couple weeks after winning the Conference USA regular season title, the seven returners have unfinished business on their minds.
After a slow start to last season North Texas went 14-4 in league play — a program record for conference wins. On March 1 they beat Western Kentucky for the first time in 11 tries to clinch the regular season title. The win over the Hilltoppers was arguably the best moment the program has had on their Super Pit floor ever. In addition to their win over WKU, the Mean Green beat Old Dominion for the first time in program-history and won at Louisiana Tech for the first time since 1952.
With the regular season title they earned an automatic berth into the NIT for the first time in program history and were the No. 1 seed in the Conference USA Championship for the first time in program history as well. Just three wins shy of earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament everything came crashing down the morning of their first schedule league tournament game when the season was canceled due to the pandemic.
In 2020-21, UNT returns seven student-athletes from last season's championship squad. Most notably they bring back C-USA Player of the Year Javion Hamlet and fellow starters Zachary Simmons and James Reese. Six-man specialist Thomas Bell is also back and now expected to be a starter. Bell scored a season-high 20 points in the Mean Green's victory over WKU on March 1.
Along with the key returners the Mean Green welcome the No. 1 recruiting class in Conference USA and a top 50 recruiting class in the nation according to Rivals.com.
North Texas has added highly-regarded freshman guard Rubin Jones (Houston, TX) who brings with him a championship DNA from Jack Yates High School. They've also added junior college transfers Mardrez McBride and Terence Lewis II who are expected to contribute right away in various roles.
UNT will also lean on a few of the returners growing into bigger roles.
Sophomore guard Jalen Jackson might have only played 135 out of a possible 1,245 total minutes last season but down the stretch the coaches grew comfortable playing him in valuable minutes especially as a defender. The coaches have only become even more confident in Jackson's ability to make winning plays in gritty performances needed to repeat as champions.
Playing through the pandemic will certainly play a role in the outcome of the league standings and much of that is out of the team's hands but unlike last year the Mean Green are not sneaking up on anyone. Last season UNT was picked by the 14 league head coaches to finish in seventh-place. This year the coaches picked them to finish second and three coaches think they finish ahead of favorite Western Kentucky who got the remainder of the first-place votes.
At the end of last year North Texas caught fire and played nearly unbeatable basketball. As Hamlet grew more comfortable in his playmaker role the team went with him. UNT ended the year as one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. They had the nation's fifth-highest effective field goal percentage (accounts for the fact that a three-point field goal is worth more than a two-point field goal) and ranked in the top 20 in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage, 2-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
Can Hamlet and coach McCasland start this season where they left it off over eight months ago and get even better? There will undoubtedly be early season struggles especially playing in pandemic. But if Hamlet, McCasland and the returners bring the team together and play the efficient brand of basketball the Mean Green have built their name around over the last couple of seasons, a second straight championship is in sight.
But Mean Green fans shouldn't get worried if it again takes a few games to get there. UNT once again has a difficult non-conference schedule and if last year proved anything, it only takes Hamlet and North Texas a short while to catch lightning in a bottle.
Now in year four of head coach Grant McCasland the expectation has been set that 20 wins and a conference title contention is the minimum, a far cry from where the program has been the last 31 years.
Javion Hamlet
Last season was the tale of two acts for then newcomer Javion Hamlet. The eventual Conference USA Player of the Year averaged just 8.1 points and 2.1 assists per game over the first seven games. He had 15 assists and 24 turnovers in the first seven games and shot just 35.7 percent from the field. UNT went 2-5 in the first seven games.
However, in the final 24 games of the year Hamlet averaged 16.5 points and 5.5 assists per game. His assist/turnover ratio was an impressive 2.75 (132 assists to 48 turnovers). He shot 52.2 percent from the field and 44.9 percent from deep. In those final 24 games the Mean Green went 18-6. In the second act Hamlet grew to play with tremendous control of pace and patience while remaining optimistic as a scorer. He showed to be an incredible finisher in every way but especially at the rim, through contact with floaters with either hand. He drastically improved in isolation situations and became the biggest threat on ball screens. When given space Hamlet was an automatic bucket.
Conference USA has not had a player repeat as player of the year since 2002, but that's not Hamlet's concern this season. His goal is clear and simple -- finish the job. This year he's been vocal that there won't be any hesitancy like there was early last season. He knows what his teammates bring to the table and what they need from him, so now he just needs to deliver.
In the record books, the second-year JUCO transfer is 102 assists away from entering the top-10 in program history. Hamlet joined the team last year after transferring from Northwest Florida State College and had 147 assists, which was the sixth-most in a single-season in Mean Green history. Hamlet enters this season as the team's second active leading scorer and is 48 points from 500 for his career.
James Reese
Next to Javion Hamlet not too many Mean Green men's basketball student-athletes improved over the entirety of last season as much as James Reese.
At one point in non-conference last year Reese went 1-of-19 from the field and was 0-of-17 during that stretch. However, in conference play Reese shot 49.3 percent (66-134). After shooting 25.6 percent from 3-point range in his first nine games, he shot 38 percent in the following ten games and 43.3 percent from deep in the final 12 games. He was an elite shooter, but also much more than that, which he proved late in the season. He began becoming more of than just a shooter and someone who could score off the dribble. While he was doing that, he continued to guard the opposing team's best guard. Just like Hamlet and Thomas Bell, the first year from junior college started slow but coaches expect the start of this year to be different.
The connection he and Hamlet built became championship strong. The two connected on a key ally-oop in overtime of the March 1 victory Western Kentucky. He's going to have ample opportunities to get his points and shots, but his defense and efficiency is what the team needs most. Reese is 47 3-pointers away from his 100th. He made 53 3-pointers last season and is the team's active leading 3-point shooter. Reese joined the Mean Green last season after transferring from Odessa College. He's 83 3-pointers from entering the top-10 in program history. He made 80 3-pointers in his one year at Odessa.
Zachary Simmons
Zachary Simmons, the Mean Green's most veteran player with 101 games played and 93 career starts (71 consecutive) has proven to be the key to UNT ever since he was a freshman. When Simmons makes five or more field goals in a game UNT is 23-5 all-time. Since the start of his sophomore season they're 19-2 in those games and last year they were 10-1 with the one loss being at No. 13 Dayton when Simmons scored a team-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
But where Simmons has become even more effective isn't just his own scoring. It's been the offense he's created out of the post.
In conference play Simmons was second on the team behind Hamlet in assist/turnover ratio and total assists. Furthermore, he became more of an anchor in the paint on defense and rim protector that championship teams needed. Though he wasn't initially recruited by fourth-year head coach Grant McCasland, Simmons will become his first four-year graduate at UNT and has been the championship foundation the team needed to get over the hump. The foundation the big man in the middle has brought to the program has led UNT to what has been one of its most successful three-year stretches in program history. And as he approaches multiple program records such as career wins and career field goal percentage, Simmons will likely go down in history as one of UNT's best big men.
He is 152 points shy of 1,000. He'll become the 23rd Mean Green men's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point total. He is also just 108 rebounds from entering the top-10 in program history (691). He had 160 rebounds last year. And lastly, he is seven starts away from his 100th. He has started the last 71 straight games for the Mean Green as they've won at least 20 games every year he's been at UNT and won a 2020 C-USA regular season title, a 2018 CBI title and in 2019 had the best start in program history at 16-1.
Thomas Bell
The unsung hero for the champion Mean Green, Thomas Bell did it all for North Texas especially late in the year. He could guard any position on the floor, he could score from anywhere on the floor and he did it all while coming off the bench. He was just one of two players in the nation to lead their team in rebounding (180) yet never start a game. Among all players in Conference USA who didn't qualify as everyday starters, Bell ranked first in rebounds (180), defensive rebounds (140), second in minutes (763), third in steals (29), third in assists (42), fourth in scoring (201), fifth in blocks (15) and 11th in 3-pointers (21).
Despite not starting, the coaches played Bell the fourth-most on the team and his 763 total minutes ranked second in the nation among non-starters.
Bell played his best when it mattered most. He scored a season-high 20 points on March 1 versus Western Kentucky to help lead UNT to clinch the regular season title. He had 15 rebounds in UNT's dominate 98-78 win over UTSA on Jan. 23 and in the final 10 minutes of the game he had four offensive rebounds that turned into eight points.
His value on defense might be most exemplified on Feb. 1 last year when North Texas had its eight-game winning streak snapped at Rice and Bell played through a lower body injury. Bell not being 100 percent allowed the hot shooting Owls to score 84 points. It was the most points North Texas allowed in the final 17 games of the year.
Like Hamlet and Reese, Bell struggled early last year finding his niche and his touch. Similar to Reese, Bell had a stretch in non-conference last year where he missed 15 straight 3-pointers including the would-be game-winner against Oklahoma.
Bell has now pretty much locked up a starting role for the Mean Green in 2020-21 and could very well be the difference maker that puts them over the edge if he takes his game to another level like the coaches feel he will. Mean Green fans for sure have missed the high-flying in your face dunks Bell brought to the Super Pit.
Grant McCasland
Fourth-year Mean Green head coach and 2020 Conference USA Coach of the Year Grant McCasland has built a name around efficiency and toughness as the team has gone 61-41 under his leadership. McCasland and his staff preach that "the toughest team always wins" and in 2019-20 the Mean Green proved it to be true.
In conference games decided by 10 or less, the Mean Green went 6-2 last year with four of those six wins coming on the road. In the 14 conference games won, UNT held opponents to 27.0 percent shooting after the last media timeout. In UNT's championship clinching victory over WKU, they held the Hilltoppers to 0-4 shooting following the last media timeout and forced three Hilltopper turnovers as the Mean Green made a comeback to send the game into overtime.
McCasland's guidance of Javion Hamlet blossomed the newcomer into the toughest guard in the league. In the last five minutes of conference games, Hamlet made 38 free throws (2.2 per game) and made 30 of his last 34 (.882) free throws in the last five minutes of conference games. Furthermore, Hamlet averaged 7.4 points and shooting 70.9 percent (22-31) from the field in the final five minutes of a conference game. In the 14 conference games won, Hamlet shot 74.9 percent from the field and averaged 7.8 points in the final five minutes of the game.
Building toughness and efficiency is what has turned McCasland into one of the most successful coaches. Under McCasland, UNT has posted four straight 20-win seasons for the first time since 2008-12. North Texas has won a College Basketball Invitational championship on its home floor and a Conference USA regular season championship at the Super Pit as well.
UNT's 41 wins over the last two years are the second-most in Conference USA and just one shy of the most. McCasland is just nine wins shy of his 70th at UNT and he is just 19 wins shy of moving into the top five in program history. He's also just one home win shy of his 40th at the Super Pit where North Texas has gone 39-13 since he took over in 2017-18.
Last year McCasland led North Texas to the league's most efficient offense. McCasland's style is a slow tempo. They averaged 63.9 possessions per 40 minutes and 18.9 seconds per possession, which was the longest average possession among C-USA teams.
Once McCasland and Hamlet got on the same page and he gained trust to let his point guard play more free, UNT's offense soared. The Mean Green ranked first in C-USA in 3-point field goal percentage, 2-point field goal percentge and were second in free throw percentage. Furthermore, their defense helped dictate the tempo as they held teams to just 47.5 percent shooting from inside the arc — the Mean Green shot 57.9 percent from 2-point range.
UNT led C-USA in non-steal turnovers with 10.7 percent of their defensive turnovers forced were not by steals. That ranked 47 in the nation. Florida Atlantic was the only other C-USA school to rank in the top 115 in non-steal turnovers and the Owls were ranked 77th.
Tough charges drawn were a huge characteristic of last year's team and something you can hear the coaches preach during practice. Last season UNT drew 53 charges and Thomas Bell drew a team-high 15. It's an unofficial NCAA stat so it's hard to see where it ranks in the nation but the Mean Green drew a charge in all but five games last year. In their 75-70 win at Middle Tennessee last year, the Mean Green held off MTSU's late run by drawing three offensive charges in the second half.
"Tough winning plays" as McCasland calls them came from all over last season for UNT. On Jan. 4 at a hostile environment, senior Roosevelt Smart who was not known for his defense came up huge with a career-high four steals including three in less than six minutes that changed the tide of the Mean Green's road win and started an eight-game winning streak for UNT. It was the Mean Green's third eight-game winning streak under McCasland.
McCasland enters his fourth season in Denton aiming to help guide North Texas through the unfinished business. Only two coaches in program history have led the Mean Green to a NCAA Tournament and it's been now over a decade since they last went dancing.
UNT Adds Home Game and Announces Broadcasts - November 24
The North Texas men's basketball team has added a home game to its 2020-21 non-conference schedule and the league has announced its broadcasting schedule.
The defending Conference USA champion Mean Green will host Texas A&M Commerce on Tuesday Dec. 1. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. from the Super Pit.
Last season UNT beat Western Kentucky 78-72 in overtime at home to clinch the 2020 Conference USA regular season title. This year the Mean Green will again host WKU for a pair of home games late in the season with potentially another title on the line. North Texas and the Hilltoppers were picked by the league's coaches to finish second and first, respectively. The two schools are slated to meet on Friday Feb. 19 and Saturday the 20th at the Super Pit. The two games will be streamed on CBS SportsNetwork on Facebook.
Following its two games against WKU, the Mean Green will travel to Marshall for another late season clash with potentially a title on the line as they conclude the regular season. UNT will play at Marshall on Friday Feb. 26 and Saturday the 27th. The Friday night game will tip-off at 6 p.m. CT and be broadcasted on ESPNU. The regular season finale game against Marshall will be streamed on Stadium.
In total, UNT will have five games broadcasted on Stadium. Its two home games versus UTEP (Jan. 15 and 16) and its two home games against Louisiana Tech (Feb. 5 and 6). The remainder of UNT's conference games will be streamed on ESPN+
North Texas returns three starters from last season's championship squad including the league's 2020 Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year Javion Hamlet.
Stay tuned for more updates on North Texas' non-conference schedule. A list of all the games and broadcasts can be found below. All North Texas men's basketball games are broadcasted on the Mean Green Radio Network (KNTU 88.1 FM, KHYI 95.3 FM and the tuneIN app). All game times listed below are central.
MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Thurs. Nov. 26 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 7 p.m. (C-USA.tv)
Sat. Nov. 28 at Arkansas (SEC Network+)
Tues. Dec. 1, vs. Texas A&M Commerce, 7 p.m. (C-USA.tv)
Fri. Dec. 4 at Mississippi State (SEC Network+)
Tues. Dec. 15 vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff, 7 p.m. (C-USA.tv)
Thurs. Dec. 17 vs. Houston Baptist, 7 p.m. (C-USA.tv)
Sat. Dec. 19 at LSU (SEC Network+)
Fri. Jan. 1 vs. UAB, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sat. Jan. 2 vs. UAB, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
Fri. Jan. 8 at UTSA, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sat. Jan. 9 at UTSA, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
Fri. Jan. 15 vs. UTEP, 7 p.m. (Stadium)
Sat. Jan. 16 vs. UTEP, 3 p.m. (Stadium)
Fri. Jan. 22 at Old Dominion, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sat. Jan. 23 at Old Dominion, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Thurs. Jan. 28 at Rice, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sat. Jan. 30 vs. Rice, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
Fri. Feb. 5 vs. Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. (Stadium)
Sat. Feb. 6 vs. Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m. (Stadium)
Fri. Feb. 12 at Southern Miss, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sat. Feb. 13 at Southern Miss, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
Fri. Feb. 19 vs. WKU, 7 p.m. (CBS SN FB)
Sat. Feb. 20 vs. WKU, 4 p.m. (CBS SN FB)
Fri. Feb. 26 at Marshall, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sat. Feb. 27 at Marshall, 1 p.m. (Stadium)
Fri. March 5 OPEN
Sat. March 6 OPEN
March 10-13 C-USA Championship Frisco, TX
WBB Set To Begin 2020-21 Season - November 23
North Texas women's basketball begins the 2020-21 campaign Wednesday following an off-season filled with uncertainty. The Mean Green will compete in six non-conference contests and play an 18-game conference slate.
"We are looking forward to this season," head coach Jalie Mitchell said. "Our young group gained some valuable experience last year. With the eligibility of transfers and the return of those who were injured, there are a lot of reasons why our team is equipped to succeed."
The top three returning scorers for UNT were all freshman in 2019-20, led by Destinee McDowell's 11.1 points per game in her 14 contests before sitting out due to injury. N'Yah Boyd added 9.4 ppg, and Randi Thompson contributed 7.4.
While the Mean Green lost its lone senior from last season in Anisha George, it will be a big void to fill for the Second Team All-Conference post. George led C-USA in field goal accuracy and was fifth in the nation at shooting over 64 percent along with leading the team in points with 14.3 and rebounds with 8.9.
Down low, redshirt senior Madison Townley and junior Charlene Shepherd return for North Texas. Townley averaged 6.4 rebounds and nearly six points, while Shepherd contributed 7.2 points and over five boards.
Transfers Rochelle Lee, Quincy Noble and Destiny Brooks are now eligible for competition after sitting out last season, and freshmen Maddie Cleary and Tommisha Lampkin joined the 2020-21 roster. Emma Villas-Gomis, a Texas Tech transfer, will compete this season after being granted immediate eligibility.
"Quincy, Destiny and Rochelle all understand the importance of leadership and how valuable they are to our team. I believe their availability this upcoming season makes us better in more ways than I can count, and I look forward to their continued contributions to our program," Mitchell said. "I am excited about our incoming class. Emma is eligible to play, and Tommisha and Maddie will be available as freshmen. They are all locked in and intentional about learning our system so that they are ready to contribute when the time comes. They have the potential to help us immediately, and I believe they will."
The 2019-20 season may have been cut short, but North Texas women's basketball was still able to put up impressive numbers and execute notable performances. The Mean Green consistently ranked in top 25 nationally in total rebounds, rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game and had the only duo (Anisha George and Charlene Shepherd) in the nation to collect at least 23 rebounds in a single contest.
The 114 points scored against Texas A&M-Texarkana were the highest total recorded by a Conference USA team and 13th most points scored in Division I, while the 46 field goals were fifth best in DI and the 63 rebounds were 11th. The team put up 2,033 total points for the ninth-best performance in program history and concluded the season ranking second in C-USA in offensive rebounds (14.3), third in steals (8.7) and fourth in scoring defense (62.7).
"We have seasoned leadership, more depth and a better understanding of what it takes to become champions," Mitchell said. "We will strive for growth daily and compete with P.R.I.D.E. 'There are no limits, except for those we impose upon ourselves.'"
UNT Home Opener Set For Thursday At 7 p.m. - November 20
This game will be included in the men's basketball season ticket package. Fans that have purchased season tickets will receive information from the ticket office regarding their tickets for the Mississippi Valley State game on Monday, Nov. 23.
The North Texas men's basketball team will tip-off the 2020-21 season on Thursday Nov. 26 at home versus Mississippi Valley State at 7 p.m.
It will be the first game at the Super Pit for UNT since March 1 when the Mean Green beat Western Kentucky 78-72 in overtime to clinch the 2020 Conference USA regular season title. The Mean Green return seven student-athletes and three starters from last season's championship squad including the league's 2020 Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year Javion Hamlet.
North Texas is 2-0 all-time versus MVSU who are now coached by two-time NBA champion Lindsey Hunter.
In addition to Thursday's game, the Mean Green have also announced they will host Arkansas Pine Bluff on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. UNT is also 2-0 all-time versus UAPB. Both wins have come under current Mean Green head coach Grant McCasland.
Stay tuned for more updates on North Texas' non-conference schedule. A list of all the games schedule so far can be found below.
MGSF Updates for Mean Green Basketball - November 12
DENTON - With basketball season scheduled to begin later this month, North Texas Athletics is developing plans to ensure a safe and fan-friendly environment at the Super Pit based on University, local and state guidelines.
Safety & Procedure Information
- Tickets will be digital to promote contactless entry
- Face coverings most be worn in the arena at all times when not eating / drinking
- All spectator seating will be socially distanced, and seats are reserved
- Team Benches will be in front of sections 105 (home) and 109 (visitor)
- FanFood app will provide in-seat food delivery option
In order to address the specific needs of Mean Green Scholarship Fund members and season ticket holders, the following updates are being made to the gameday experience:
No floor/courtside seating League for 2020-21
In accordance with NCAA and Conference USA policies, courtside seating will not be permitted. The Super Pit will adhere to social distancing protocols with fan seating starting 25 feet away from the court.
Reseating
Due to capacity reductions at the Super Pit in order to accommodate for social distancing measures, all season ticket holders will be reseated. Please contact the North Texas Ticket Office with any questions at 940-565-2527.
Parking
Mean Green Scholarship Fund parking for basketball games is assigned by giving level and priority point order. (Donors who qualify for Highland parking will park in Lot 27 directly East of the main entrance.)
Hospitality
Donors at the Green & White Level or above will be able to pick up a "Hospitality in a Box" package at the Mean Green Scholarship Fund table located near gate F prior to select games. Olympic Sports Passes will need to be shown to ensure exclusively MGSF members receive this benefit.
Honor Room
Mean Green Scholarship Fund members at the Golden Eagle Level or those who have donated $100,000 to athletics in their lifetime will have access to complimentary beverages and snacks at Concessions Stand near Gate F. Custom Honor Room credentials will need to be shown to ensure exclusively MGSF members receive this benefit.
Season Tickets
A limited number of season tickets for the 2020-21 season are still available through the North Texas Athletics Ticket Office. Tickets start at $75 per seat for women's basketball and $99 per seat for men's basketball. Due to reduced capacity in the Super Pit, fans are encouraged to become season ticket as this could be the only way to watch Mean Green Basketball home games in-person this year.
Mean Green season ticket holders enjoy a number of benefits including preferred pricing, an exclusive season ticket holder gift, payment plan options and more. For more information regarding tickets, contact the North Texas Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or TicketOffice@unt.edu.
C-USA Announces Updated Basketball Scheduling Format - November 5
DALLAS – The Conference USA Board of Directors approved an updated format for its men's and women's basketball scheduling that will move conference competition to Friday and Saturday, the league announced Thursday.
As previously released, C-USA will transition to an 18-game regular season conference schedule for the 2020-21 season that keeps student-athlete health and safety at the forefront. Schools will play two games per visit at four select C-USA campuses, and will host four teams for a two-game series. Teams will also have a home-and-home opportunity with a designated rival opponent.
The new model announced Thursday will have teams play back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, instead of Thursday and Saturday as originally decided. C-USA also implemented a requirement of at least 21 hours in between tipoffs to provide appropriate rest periods.
In addition to reducing the amount of travel, moving to this Friday-Saturday format will allow teams to play and efficiently complete their testing protocol each week.
Regular season conference play for both men's and women's basketball will begin on January 1 and the final week of the regular season may be utilized to reschedule any postponed games.
A limited number of season tickets for the 2020-21 season are still available through the North Texas Athletics Ticket Office. Tickets start at $75 per seat for women's basketball and $99 per seat for men's basketball. Due to reduced capacity in the Super Pit, fans are encouraged to become season ticket holders and ensure they do not miss a Mean Green Basketball home game.
Mean Green season ticket holders enjoy a number of benefits including preferred pricing and seating, an exclusive season ticket holder gift, payment plan options and the first opportunity to be present at the Super Pit when North Texas Basketball returns. For more information regarding tickets, contact the North Texas Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or TicketOffice@unt.edu.
Season Ticket Assurance Program - October 12
DENTON - The UNT Athletics department is extending its Season Ticket Assurance Program to the 2020-2021 basketball season.
If any portion of the 2020-2021 men's or women's basketball schedule is impacted by COVID-19 resulting in games being canceled or the number of in-person fans being limited, Mean Green season ticket holders will have the option to apply payments to future UNT Athletics events, convert payments to donations to the Mean Green Scholarship Fund or receive a refund.
