University of North Texas Athletics
Wednesday, November 25
Denton, TX
7 PM
University of North Texas
vs
Tarleton
Mean Green vs Tarleton
11/25/2020 9:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DENTON - Mean Green women's basketball opens the 2020-21 season Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus Tarleton inside The Super Pit.
About the Mean Green
North Texas concluded the 2019-20 season by winning three of the last four regular season contests before being defeated by Charlotte at the Conference USA tournament. The Mean Green finished with an overall record of 12-18 and 6-12 in league play. All-Conference Second Team selection Anisha George averaged team-highs of 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds.
About the Texans
Tarleton makes their Division I debut against the Mean Green following a 21-8 overall campaign as a member of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference. The Texans were projected to finish seventh within the nine-team league in both the Preseason Western Athletic Conference Coaches and Media Polls.
History between the squads
This matchup marks the third meeting of the Mean Green and Texans. The teams each took a win during the 1977-78 season.
WBB Set To Begin 2020-21 Season
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 nonconference 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.
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.
A Transfer of Talent
Transfers Rochelle Lee, Quincy Noble and Destiny Brooks are now eligible for competition after sitting out last season. Emma Villas-Gomis, a Texas Tech transfer, is able to compete this season after being granted immediate eligibility.
"They 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.
Big Facts
The 2019-20 season may have been cut short, but North Texas women's basketball was still able to put up impressive facts 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).
C-USA Updated Scheduling Format
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.
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. 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.
WBB Slated Eighth In C-USA Poll
North Texas has been picked to finish eighth in the 2020-21 Conference USA women's basketball preseason poll decided by the vote of the 14 head coaches.
Middle Tennessee received eight first-place votes as the favorite ahead of Rice and Old Dominion who each earned a trio of first-place nods.
Charlotte, WKU, UTEP and UAB rounded out the top half of the league. Louisiana Tech was chosen after the Mean Green followed by Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss and Marshall. UTSA and FIU finished out the poll.
Anastasia Hayes of MTSU and Nancy Mulkey from Rice were tabbed as Co-Preseason Players of the Year. Other members of the 2020-21 C-USA Preseason Team include: Mariah Linney (Charlotte), Amber Dixon (LA Tech), Savannah Wheeler (Marshall), Aislynn Hayes (MTSU), Amari Young and Ajah Wayne (ODU), and Katia Gallegos (UTEP).
2020-21 C-USA Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. Middle Tennessee (8)
2. Rice (3)
3. Old Dominion (3)
4. Charlotte
5. WKU
6. UTEP
7. UAB
8. North Texas
9. Louisiana Tech
10. Florida Atlantic
11. Southern Miss
12. Marshall
13. UTSA
14. FIU
2020-21 C-USA Preseason Team
Mariah Linney, Charlotte
Amber Dixon, Louisiana Tech
Savannah Wheeler, Marshall
Aislynn Hayes, Middle Tennessee
*Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
*Nancy Mulkey, Rice
Amari Young, Old Dominion
Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion
Katia Gallegos, UTEP
*Co-Preseason Players of the Year
About the Mean Green
North Texas concluded the 2019-20 season by winning three of the last four regular season contests before being defeated by Charlotte at the Conference USA tournament. The Mean Green finished with an overall record of 12-18 and 6-12 in league play. All-Conference Second Team selection Anisha George averaged team-highs of 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds.
About the Texans
Tarleton makes their Division I debut against the Mean Green following a 21-8 overall campaign as a member of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference. The Texans were projected to finish seventh within the nine-team league in both the Preseason Western Athletic Conference Coaches and Media Polls.
History between the squads
This matchup marks the third meeting of the Mean Green and Texans. The teams each took a win during the 1977-78 season.
WBB Set To Begin 2020-21 Season
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 nonconference 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.
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.
A Transfer of Talent
Transfers Rochelle Lee, Quincy Noble and Destiny Brooks are now eligible for competition after sitting out last season. Emma Villas-Gomis, a Texas Tech transfer, is able to compete this season after being granted immediate eligibility.
"They 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.
Big Facts
The 2019-20 season may have been cut short, but North Texas women's basketball was still able to put up impressive facts 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).
C-USA Updated Scheduling Format
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.
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. 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.
WBB Slated Eighth In C-USA Poll
North Texas has been picked to finish eighth in the 2020-21 Conference USA women's basketball preseason poll decided by the vote of the 14 head coaches.
Middle Tennessee received eight first-place votes as the favorite ahead of Rice and Old Dominion who each earned a trio of first-place nods.
Charlotte, WKU, UTEP and UAB rounded out the top half of the league. Louisiana Tech was chosen after the Mean Green followed by Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss and Marshall. UTSA and FIU finished out the poll.
Anastasia Hayes of MTSU and Nancy Mulkey from Rice were tabbed as Co-Preseason Players of the Year. Other members of the 2020-21 C-USA Preseason Team include: Mariah Linney (Charlotte), Amber Dixon (LA Tech), Savannah Wheeler (Marshall), Aislynn Hayes (MTSU), Amari Young and Ajah Wayne (ODU), and Katia Gallegos (UTEP).
2020-21 C-USA Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. Middle Tennessee (8)
2. Rice (3)
3. Old Dominion (3)
4. Charlotte
5. WKU
6. UTEP
7. UAB
8. North Texas
9. Louisiana Tech
10. Florida Atlantic
11. Southern Miss
12. Marshall
13. UTSA
14. FIU
2020-21 C-USA Preseason Team
Mariah Linney, Charlotte
Amber Dixon, Louisiana Tech
Savannah Wheeler, Marshall
Aislynn Hayes, Middle Tennessee
*Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
*Nancy Mulkey, Rice
Amari Young, Old Dominion
Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion
Katia Gallegos, UTEP
*Co-Preseason Players of the Year
Players Mentioned
Point Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Post
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's BasketballWBB Postgame Press Conference | UNT vs. USF
Saturday, February 28
Broadcast Highlights vs UTSA | Mean Green WBB
Wednesday, February 25
WBB Postgame Press Conference | UNT vs. UTSA
Wednesday, February 25
Broadcast Highlights vs UAB | Mean Green WBB
Wednesday, February 18