Preview: #4/#5 Texas vs. North Texas
by awiggo on Dec 5, 2007 9:04 AM CST
in Basketball
43 comments
The pride of the 40 Acres looks to stay unbeaten tonight at the Erwin Center. The #4/#5 Texas Longhorns (6-0) take on the North Texas Mean Green (5-1) at 7 PM. The game will be televised in Texas on Fox Sports Net (Houston & Dallas viewers) and carried on KVET 98.1 FM and the Zone 1300 AM. The name North Texas won’t strike fear in the average college basketball fan, but the Mean Green are an above average ball club.
North Texas returns three starters from a 23-11 team that won the Sun Belt tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament a year ago. Even with the loss of their two best guards, this year’s team should challenge for the Sun Belt West divisional title. The Mean Green are off to a very good start this season. While their record is just 3-1 against Division I opponents, two of those wins are worth mentioning. UNT knocked off Oklahoma State, 82-73, in Denton in mid-November and overcame a 21 point deficit last Saturday to defeat New Mexico State, 75-72, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Their only loss came at UT-Arlington two week ago.
Ken Pomeroy
The Mean Green are currently ranked #19 in the RPI and #62 by Ken Pomeroy’s rating system. Pomeroy’s Scouting Report on UNT shows a below average offensive club but a strong defensive one. UNT has struggled shooting the basketball this season, especially from behind the arc (27.8%), and is turning the ball over on nearly one quarter of their offensive possessions. Their defense has been considerably better, though. While they don’t create turnovers at a high rate, the Mean Green are doing an excellent job limiting offensive rebounds and second chance points and rank in the top ten in the country at defending the three-pointer.
UNT is led by senior guard Ben Bell, 6-3 170, and freshman guard Josh White, 5-10 167. Bell is a steady point guard who is averaging nearly four assists per game and is also a solid rebounder for a guard. White was a highly rated high schooler in Louisiana at this time last year and has adjusted quickly to the college game. He leads the team in minutes at 30 min/gm and in scoring at 16.2 ppg. Collin Dennis is a 6-2 scoring guard who is making the most of his playing time. He only averages 18 minutes per contest but is scoring 14.8 ppg. Dennis went off for 21 points in just 16 minutes against New Mexico State. I have no idea why he isn’t receiving more minutes. The UNT frontcourt is anchored by 6-8 Quincy Williams. Senior Williams leads the team in rebounds at 7.7 per game.
Keys to the Game:
(1) Get AJ Back Involved: Abrams scored just 10 points in the Horns’ last home game missing many open looks. He also struggled in Los Angeles scoring just seven points as he was effectively taken out of the game by the bigger UCLA guards. Thankfully the Horns have other perimeter scorers but this team is much more deadly when AJ is hot. As mentioned above, UNT has defended the three-pointer well this season, so, AJ is definitely the Horn to watch tonight.
(2) Motion Offense: If there was one negative in the UCLA victory, it was the increasing reliance on the penetration of DJ Augustin to create offense. Rick Barnes’s clubs are never going to run a Bobby Knight motion offense. I get it and that is not what I’m asking. However, I would like to see more than Abrams running the baseline or high screen and rolls with Connor Atchley and DJ. Barnes has said that this team will be really good in March when the younger post players catch up to the more talented and more experienced guards. Well, games like this one and many of the others in December should be opportunities to feed the post and develop the confidence of Clint Chapman, Dexter Pittman, Alexis Wangmene and even Justin Mason.
Tonight should be a good test for the Horns. The Mean Green are far from world beaters but they could give the Longhorns a scare if they don’t come out focused. Head to the Drum tonight and catch the college basketball team with the two best early season wins in the nation and one that is coming off the best regular season win in the program’s history. It would be great to see the Erwin Center rocking, but I’ll settle for 8k.
--AW--
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DirecTV
I stumbled across a listing for the game on DirecTV down at channel 669, which is something called CSN+. It doesn't seem to be trying to sell me a subscription, so there might be some hope that this is free. Can anyone shed any light?
by Caradoc on Dec 5, 2007 9:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
directv
Sometimes those upper level sports channels show their stuff during the day when there are no games on, but get blackedout when actual telecasts of games come on.
I pay 12 bucks for the sports package (NFL Network, NBA network, Big 10 and all the FSNs) so I'm sure it will be on my directv satellite.
I got that package during football season to get some more football games. I'll probably cancel soon, but if I can get 1-2 extra Horns games a month from it, I'll probably keep it rather than shelling out the extra scratch at a sports bar.
by Blitzburgh on Dec 5, 2007 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice preview
Glad to hear that it is on Fox sports here in Houston.
Feedback:
- AJ has to fake the 3 (before taking a dribble) and then step in for a shorter shot more often. Because AJ gets his shot off so quickly, it is easy for him to get the defender off his feet when AJ fakes the 3. AJ has to commit to taking advantage of that fact and defenders will start getting worried about closing in on him too fast.
- Would like to see Augustin and James in a pick and roll offense. James is explosive with good hands and should be able to handle Augustin's passes well. Would like to see James picking and rolling for Mason and Abrams also.
- I agree that this is a good game for Clint Chapman, Dexter Pittman, and Alexis Wangmene to play a lot. Might be a good game to rest Augustin a lot and let Justin Mason play point as much as possible. Right now the UT offense is pretty much completely depedent on Augustin.
by Kafka on Dec 5, 2007 10:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
To Credit Rick
He did run some isolation for Mason in the UCLA game, which worked pretty well, Mason just needs to finish to keep on getting the calls.
by Wells on Dec 5, 2007 4:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
When you're hot, you're hot.
Hell of a start to the game.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 7:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
uhhh
on espn scoredboard it says Gary Johnson is 0-1, is that accurate?
by jimmer on Dec 5, 2007 7:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i guess it's a typo
wishful thinking. got me excited though.
by jimmer on Dec 5, 2007 7:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's Wang Chung.
We wish Johnson was in there, but tonight they're so hot it really makes no difference. What he would add just sorta sucks your breath away when you see a team with the kind of confidence they're exhibiting tonight. AJ is just unconsciousness, like he's not even aiming, just willing them in.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
damn espn
wish i was watching instead of schooling.
by jimmer on Dec 5, 2007 8:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the game
Some of the halftime numbers of interest: Texas has 19 points off turnovers. It was a shock wave that that hit NT from the gitgo. They had 8-9 turnovers and Texas hit its first 7 of 8 shots.
DJ and AJ have 14 each - y'all should be able to see that - and Connor has two threes.
Wangmene needs a better right; that was a quick little exchange after his block. When they were called for pushing on DJ on a block-out, the NT coach put on a pretty good show, took off his coat, yelled at ref and got a tech, which DJ drained; and then he nailed the 1-and-1. Good theatrics.
White of NT is a smooth damn shooter.
Second half just starting, both are looking smooth. Great shot by James outside. We're gonna see some points this half.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hahahaha. That old man musk
Ian Mooney's old man odor, as related by Atchley and Dexy.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
can someone explain
What happened with the Texas-box-out-foul switched to UNT foul? Those of us in the opposite o-zone couldn't figure out where they got either foul from...
by bbatsell on Dec 5, 2007 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
box-out foul
DJ had the block out the the right of the basket on a shot going out of bounds. He was moving backwards to guard against the NT guy, who then went over the top. At first the foul seemed to be on DJ, but it wasn't. Then the NT coach put on a show; not really ballistic. Just took off coat and yelled at ref, getting the tech. Good place to jack up his team, which player better afterward.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think they said
that the fouler had his opposite hand hooked around the UT player. If that makes sense.
by hornbone on Dec 5, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He was justing going over him after the ball
It looked like DJ was just pushing him away from the ball at the same time. Good play by DJ. The defender should have tried to go around him but DJ just had him boxed.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
NT has missed second half
Neither have they played any defense.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That's hasn't missed the second half
They have now. That smoothness didn't last long; NT does offense much better than defense. DJ is just slicing and dicing.
The announcer said Texas didn't leave LA for seven hours due to a plane problem, didn't arrive in Austin until 9 am Monday. Barnes gave them the rest of the day off and then had a light practice yesterday. So, this could get a little sloppy.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
NT is finding Williams inside.
Atchley and Wangmene are getting some good work.
It's Wang Chung's night to get beat up; hand in face, ball in gut.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Josh White just hit his fourth three
after a rebound.
James counted with a nice move inside for two.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
tech
taking it to LA Tech 60 - 17 with ten minutes left in the game.
by the other Andrew on Dec 5, 2007 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That's ugly.
Guess Bobby is feeling better.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lead down to 13
White hit two more three, one on a scramble of TOs and missed shots. Texas is missing most of their shots, and seems to have lost offensive focus. Timeout.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Down to 9
Horns can't buy a bucket. 18-3 run; now a blown layup by Mason. However, NT broke their own string by throwing it away.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is getting ugly
I had a bad feeling they came back, after hearing what they did to New Mexico State. We gotta hold them here.
Jumper for James.
by goingforthecorner on Dec 5, 2007 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ah, James drained short jumper, 66-55
Then Atchley got RB and fouled to get the ball back. Now AJ faked out defender, made jumper.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Horns stopped run
but you get the feeling NT will work up to another one.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
DJ trying to be Nash
in more ways than one. Now he has the bandage on the nose like Nash in the playoffs.
by goingforthecorner on Dec 5, 2007 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
attendance stat just popped up...
10,913 and 7,357 turnstile. What's the difference between those numbers? 11,000 is pretty good, 7,000 is pretty sad.
by hornbone on Dec 5, 2007 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Season ticket holders not showing up
Wonder how the new system is helping.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not much...
Only because most season ticket holders aren't posting them for sale. Take a look at this upcoming Sat's game. Only 14 seats posted so far.
by gwh65 on Dec 6, 2007 12:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Grrrr. Connor made that pass.
Connor continues to play well on both ends.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dammit ESPN
their box score still has Johnson as taking and missing a three pointer.
by goingforthecorner on Dec 5, 2007 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Who says we don't have a motion offense?
I've seen a number of easy layups from back door cuts tonight. This is definitely a good thing to see.
Wow Dexy can't buy a layup!
by goingforthecorner on Dec 5, 2007 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
At least they got it into him.
That's probably bigger and tougher competition than he would get in practice. They need him to learn to finish.
I like the motion, too.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One thing I don't like about the broadcast
is that the lights create a nasty glare on the Drum's floor, right down the middle. With the white horn on the middle of the floor and the team in their whites, there is a lot of visual disturbance. At the very least, they can get some polarizing filters and reduce it. Good venues have little glare.
by whills on Dec 5, 2007 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Trying to pick up the game on...
K-UNT...but not having much luck.
What's the score?
by 54b on Dec 5, 2007 9:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nevermind
I guess we won 88-72...sounds like a workman like victory.
by 54b on Dec 5, 2007 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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