Tuesday, November 7
Denton
7 PM CT
University of North Texas
vs
Northern Iowa
Ross Hodge Era Begins Tuesday
11/6/2023 1:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON — Ross Hodge takes the court as the UNT men's basketball head coach for the first official time Tuesday night in the Mean Green's season opener versus one of the Missouri Valley Conference favorites Northern Iowa.
Tuesday's season opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT from the Super Pit. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield.
Hodge, who is in his seventh season with the North Texas program, was elevated to the head coach position shortly after helping lead the Mean Green to the 2023 National Invitation Tournament championship. He served as UNT's associate head coach from 2017 through last season.
In his six seasons as North Texas' associate head coach, Hodge was critical in building the Mean Green into the winningest program in Conference USA and leading the program to its most successful stretch ever.
Since Hodge arrived to Denton in 2017 the Mean Green won the 2018 College Basketball Invitational, its first conference regular season title in 31 years(2020), its first conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years (2021), its first NCAA Tournament victory ever (2021), three total conference championships and then last year's NIT championship.
North Texas set the single season program record for overall wins twice (2022 and 2023) and conference wins three times (2020, 2022, 2023).
Additionally, UNT's defense that was piloted by Hodge has led the nation in fewest points given up per game in each of the last two seasons.
The Mean Green have seven newcomers on its 14-man roster this season. The most it's had since 2015. However, this isn't a rebuild for North Texas as three starters from last season's NIT title run are back: Rubin Jones, Aaron Scott and Moulaye Sissoko. Furthermore, key contributor Matthew Stone is back for his junior season.
And many of the newcomers North Texas has brought in have quickly adapted as they come highly skilled. Sixth-year senior Robert Allen has played in 134 career games mostly at the SEC level and nearly had a double-double in UNT's 10-point exhibition win. Redshirt junior John Buggs III made 80 3-pointers last season at UTSA at a 40 percent clip. He sank three 3-pointers in the exhibition win. Sophomore Jason Edwards was a NJCAA First Team All-American last year at Dodge City and scored a game-high 16 points in the exhibition victory. CJ Noland was a Big 12 all-conference guard who is the highest ranked prep recruit to join UNT since 2011. Noland grabbed 8 rebounds and scored seven points in the exhibition victory over Sam Houston.
Tuesday's season opener won't be a cake walk, though. UNT, who enters Tuesday having won 10 straight season openers and 20 straight home openers, welcome a Northern Iowa squad that returns all five starters from last season. The Panthers are led by their longtime head coach Ben Jacobson who has guided UNI to four NCAA Tournaments in his 16 full seasons, including the 2010 Sweet 16.
UNI won the Missouri Valley most recently in 2022.
Following Tuesday's season opener, the Mean Green stay at home as they host Omaha on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield. UNT beat the Mavericks last season, 75-45, at the Super Pit.
NIT BANNER RAISE
Prior to Tuesday's tipoff. North Texas will raise its 2023 NIT championship banner. The first 500 fans to the Super Pit on Tuesday will receive a replica NIT championship banner.
SUPER PIT 50th ANNIVERSARY
This season marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the UNT Super Pit. The first game played at the Super Pit was on Tuesday Dec. 4, 1973. The Mean Green defeated TCU in the opening game 109-93. North Texas' Tony Wright scored the first field goal and Bobby Iverson had a magnificent performance as he scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead his team to victory. UNT's head coach was Gene Robbins and TCU's head coach was Johnny Swain. Future legendary Oklahoma and TCU head coach Billy Tubbs was on the Mean Green coaching staff at the time.
METAL DETECTORS
New for 2023-24 season, all Super Pit patrons and staff must go through metal detectors upon entry to the facility. Metal detector settings will allow patrons to keep their phones and keys in pockets when walking through.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
A clear bag policy has also been put in place for this season at the Super Pit. The following bags are approved for entry into DATCU Stadium and the Super Pit:
• Clear totes - plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12x12 inches. Clear totes can have a logo no larger than 4.5x4 inches.
• Plastic storage bags - one gallon, resealable, clear. One bag per person.
• Small clutch purse - approximately the size of a hand with or without a handle or strap. No larger than 5.5x8.5 inches with or without a handle or strap. Can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag.
• Diaper bags are allowed with the accompanying child/infant.
• Seat cushions without pockets or compartments are allowed.
For more information on UNT men's basketball season tickets, contact the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or at ticketoffice@unt.edu. Fans can visit the UNT Athletics Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of DATCU Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tuesday's season opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT from the Super Pit. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield.
Hodge, who is in his seventh season with the North Texas program, was elevated to the head coach position shortly after helping lead the Mean Green to the 2023 National Invitation Tournament championship. He served as UNT's associate head coach from 2017 through last season.
In his six seasons as North Texas' associate head coach, Hodge was critical in building the Mean Green into the winningest program in Conference USA and leading the program to its most successful stretch ever.
Since Hodge arrived to Denton in 2017 the Mean Green won the 2018 College Basketball Invitational, its first conference regular season title in 31 years(2020), its first conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years (2021), its first NCAA Tournament victory ever (2021), three total conference championships and then last year's NIT championship.
North Texas set the single season program record for overall wins twice (2022 and 2023) and conference wins three times (2020, 2022, 2023).
Additionally, UNT's defense that was piloted by Hodge has led the nation in fewest points given up per game in each of the last two seasons.
The Mean Green have seven newcomers on its 14-man roster this season. The most it's had since 2015. However, this isn't a rebuild for North Texas as three starters from last season's NIT title run are back: Rubin Jones, Aaron Scott and Moulaye Sissoko. Furthermore, key contributor Matthew Stone is back for his junior season.
And many of the newcomers North Texas has brought in have quickly adapted as they come highly skilled. Sixth-year senior Robert Allen has played in 134 career games mostly at the SEC level and nearly had a double-double in UNT's 10-point exhibition win. Redshirt junior John Buggs III made 80 3-pointers last season at UTSA at a 40 percent clip. He sank three 3-pointers in the exhibition win. Sophomore Jason Edwards was a NJCAA First Team All-American last year at Dodge City and scored a game-high 16 points in the exhibition victory. CJ Noland was a Big 12 all-conference guard who is the highest ranked prep recruit to join UNT since 2011. Noland grabbed 8 rebounds and scored seven points in the exhibition victory over Sam Houston.
Tuesday's season opener won't be a cake walk, though. UNT, who enters Tuesday having won 10 straight season openers and 20 straight home openers, welcome a Northern Iowa squad that returns all five starters from last season. The Panthers are led by their longtime head coach Ben Jacobson who has guided UNI to four NCAA Tournaments in his 16 full seasons, including the 2010 Sweet 16.
UNI won the Missouri Valley most recently in 2022.
Following Tuesday's season opener, the Mean Green stay at home as they host Omaha on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield. UNT beat the Mavericks last season, 75-45, at the Super Pit.
NIT BANNER RAISE
Prior to Tuesday's tipoff. North Texas will raise its 2023 NIT championship banner. The first 500 fans to the Super Pit on Tuesday will receive a replica NIT championship banner.
SUPER PIT 50th ANNIVERSARY
This season marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the UNT Super Pit. The first game played at the Super Pit was on Tuesday Dec. 4, 1973. The Mean Green defeated TCU in the opening game 109-93. North Texas' Tony Wright scored the first field goal and Bobby Iverson had a magnificent performance as he scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead his team to victory. UNT's head coach was Gene Robbins and TCU's head coach was Johnny Swain. Future legendary Oklahoma and TCU head coach Billy Tubbs was on the Mean Green coaching staff at the time.
METAL DETECTORS
New for 2023-24 season, all Super Pit patrons and staff must go through metal detectors upon entry to the facility. Metal detector settings will allow patrons to keep their phones and keys in pockets when walking through.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
A clear bag policy has also been put in place for this season at the Super Pit. The following bags are approved for entry into DATCU Stadium and the Super Pit:
• Clear totes - plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12x12 inches. Clear totes can have a logo no larger than 4.5x4 inches.
• Plastic storage bags - one gallon, resealable, clear. One bag per person.
• Small clutch purse - approximately the size of a hand with or without a handle or strap. No larger than 5.5x8.5 inches with or without a handle or strap. Can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag.
• Diaper bags are allowed with the accompanying child/infant.
• Seat cushions without pockets or compartments are allowed.
For more information on UNT men's basketball season tickets, contact the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or at ticketoffice@unt.edu. Fans can visit the UNT Athletics Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of DATCU Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Wing
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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