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Texas Tech Basketball Tale Of The Tape: UNT Mean Green (1-0)

North Texas travels to the United Supermarkets Arena this evening to take on the Red Raiders at 6:30 PM.

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Tech opened its 2016/2017 year with a big win over Houston Baptist. The 93-67 blowout was just what the team needed to get the ball rolling on this season. Up next for the Red Raiders is the Mean Green of North Texas. Will Texas Tech stay hot after a blowout win, or will things cool down for the Red Raiders? Tune into FSSW Plus at 6:30 PM!

UNT Key Players

Category Stat Name
Points/Game 23 G Deckie Johnson
Rebounds/Game 8 C Rickey Brice Jr.
Assist/Game 4 G Allante Holston
3pt Made/3pt % 3/4, 75% G Ja'Michael Brown
Free Throw % 16-16 100% G Deckie Johnson

Guard Deckie Johnson had a heck of a game in the Mean Green's opener. He scored 23 points and knocked down all 16 of his free throw attempts. It should be noted though, UNT played Division III school Sul Ross. Not taking anything away from Sul Ross, but if I had to guess their players aren't on the same level of the Red Raiders. The Mean Green did however have 4 players score in double-digits, and they also had 4 players record 5 or more rebounds each.

Last 5 Games

2/27 Southern Miss L 81-70
3/3 Old Dominion L 76-70
3/5 Charlotte W 80-77
3/9 Western Kentucky L 84-76
11/11 Sul Ross W 85-77

As I mentioned above, UNT opened with a win against Sul Ross. To be honest, the Mean Green probably was hoping for a higher margin of victory. An 8-point win over a Division III school is nothing to really celebrate. Last year UNT was 12-20 with a 7-11 C-USA record. Their best win last year was probably against Louisiana Tech who ended up being 23-10 (12-6).

Prediction

Texas Tech 92 - UNT 68

The Red Raiders are still going to be trying to pinpoint what rotation and lineups work best in this game, but their talent outweighs the Mean Green in this one. That's the good thing about early season games, you play lesser competition and it gives you time to tinker with your roster. The Red Raiders are currently favored by 18 points and I believe they cover in this game.