University of North Texas
Wichita State
UNT Prepares For AAC Debut At Wichita State
1/3/2024 8:36:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield.
Coincidentally, Thursday's AAC debut for North Texas pins them against an opponent they shared a conference with for 18 years. The Mean Green and Shockers were both in the Missouri Valley from 1957 through 1975.
Thursday will be the 39th all-time meeting between the two schools. Their most recent matchup, on Dec. 18, 2021, was a memorable one for the Mean Green. In a then non-conference battle, UNT trailed Wichita State by 10, with 18 minutes remaining in the game. But North Texas proceeded to hold the Shockers scoreless for the next 12 minutes and 42 seconds and turned its 10-point deficit into a 10-point lead. They went on to win 62-52.
North Texas (7-5) enters the conference opener on a two-game winning streak. The Mean Green own the nation's No. 4 scoring defense, holding opponents to 58.9 points per game. This will be just their second true road game of the year. Since 2021, only Houston owns a better road winning percentage than North Texas. The Mean Green are 19-5 (.792) in road games since 2021.
The Shockers (8-5) are also a formative defensive team and one of the best in the nation at rebounding. WSU averages over 43 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in the nation. Wichita State won seven of its first eight games this year but heads into Thursday's game having lost four of its last five.
Wichita State is 5-1 at home this season.
Thursday's game features two head coaches who are in the first season at their respective schools. UNT's Ross Hodge was elevated to the head coach position this offseason after six seasons as its associate head coach. Paul Mills was named Wichita State's head coach this offseason after leading Oral Roberts for six seasons. He led ORU to two NCAA Tournaments and the 2021 Sweet 16.
After Thursday North Texas quickly returns home as they host Tulane on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield.
For more information on UNT men's basketball 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.
