University of North Texas Athletics
Hodge Named Finalist For Joe B. Hall Award
3/24/2024 10:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON — Following a 19-win season which culminated with an appearance in the 2024 National Invitation Tournament, UNT's Ross Hodge has been named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, which is given to the nation's top DI rookie head coach.
Hodge completed his first year at the helm of North Texas with a 19-15 overall record and a 10-8 mark in the American Athletic Conference. The 10 league wins and .556 league record is a program-best by a first-year UNT head coach. Hodge was the only rookie DI head coach to lead his respective team to either the NCAA or NIT tournament this season.
Hodge was elevated to the head coach position after six seasons as the Mean Green's associate head coach under Grant McCasland. Hodge led the UNT defense, which last year and the previous season led the nation in fewest points allowed per game. This season, the Mean Green were once again one of the nation's top defenses as they held opponents to 63.8 points per game, which ranks 12th in the nation.
Hodge inherited a roster of seven newcomers and one that only returned 30 percent of its scoring from the previous season. Despite missing two starters for half of their conference games due to injuries, the Mean Green molded into one of the top team's in the league both defensively and offensively. UNT knocked down 284 3-point field goals, which is tied for the second-most in program history and they did so shooting a league-best 37.7 percent from deep. UNT was by newcomer and first team all-conference honoree Jason Edwards who scored 650 points this season, good for fifth-most in a single season in program history.
UNT finished the regular season ranked No. 74 by KenPom and No. 79 in the NET.
The Joe B. Hall Award is named in honor of the longtime Kentucky head coach who was given the task of following the legendary Adolph Rupp at the school. Award winners will be announced Final Four weekend in Phoenix.
Hodge completed his first year at the helm of North Texas with a 19-15 overall record and a 10-8 mark in the American Athletic Conference. The 10 league wins and .556 league record is a program-best by a first-year UNT head coach. Hodge was the only rookie DI head coach to lead his respective team to either the NCAA or NIT tournament this season.
Hodge was elevated to the head coach position after six seasons as the Mean Green's associate head coach under Grant McCasland. Hodge led the UNT defense, which last year and the previous season led the nation in fewest points allowed per game. This season, the Mean Green were once again one of the nation's top defenses as they held opponents to 63.8 points per game, which ranks 12th in the nation.
Hodge inherited a roster of seven newcomers and one that only returned 30 percent of its scoring from the previous season. Despite missing two starters for half of their conference games due to injuries, the Mean Green molded into one of the top team's in the league both defensively and offensively. UNT knocked down 284 3-point field goals, which is tied for the second-most in program history and they did so shooting a league-best 37.7 percent from deep. UNT was by newcomer and first team all-conference honoree Jason Edwards who scored 650 points this season, good for fifth-most in a single season in program history.
UNT finished the regular season ranked No. 74 by KenPom and No. 79 in the NET.
The Joe B. Hall Award is named in honor of the longtime Kentucky head coach who was given the task of following the legendary Adolph Rupp at the school. Award winners will be announced Final Four weekend in Phoenix.
Players Mentioned
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