MIAMI, FL -- North Texas men's basketball started off breaking the school record for best start in school history. While the team still holds a 20-7 record, the Mean Green suffered two disappointing road losses to FAU and FIU this week.
The losses dropped UNT's conference record to 8-6 and knocked the Mean Green down to sixth place in the Conference USA standings, putting them in the second pod of C-USA Bonus Play.
Also, UNT has found the injury bug lately. Jorden Duffy hasn't played in an entire month and starting point guard Ryan Woolridge went down with an injury early in the second half of Thursday's game against FAU. A positive that came from this weekend -- even though there weren't a ton -- was Umoja Gibson breaking the school record for most 3-pointers made by a freshman (78). Gibson's eclipsed Chris Davis' 77 3-pointers in 1999-2000.
It's safe to say the Mean Green are underachieving and not playing their best basketball at the moment. However, North Texas has shown Mean Green fans its potential to compete at some of the highest levels in college basketball. Ultimately, for the sake of UNT basketball fans, this is just a small slump.
Also, UNT has found the injury bug lately. Jorden Duffy hasn't played in an entire month and starting point guard Ryan Woolridge went down with an injury early in the second half of Thursday's game against FAU.
A positive that came from this weekend -- even though there weren't a ton -- was Umoja Gibson breaking the school record for most 3-pointers made by a freshman (78). Gibson eclipsed Chris Davis' 77 3-pointers in 1999-2000.
Losing now is better than losing when it matters, which would be the C-USA Tournament. All North Texas needs is a good conference tournament to make it to the NCAA Tournament, which is something the Mean Green haven't done since 2010.
For small recaps of the two weekend games, read below:
Florida Atlantic
A struggle to score and a below-average second half doomed the Mean Green in their 57-47 loss to FAU on Thursday night.
The 47 points are the fewest the Mean Green have scored in the two years head coach Grant McCasland has been in Denton.
With Woolridge exiting the game early, Michael Miller stepped up offensively for UNT and scored 18 points on the night. Other than Miller, the Mean Green's offense was almost nonexistent as they shot 33 percent from the field.
Every time North Texas would pull within one possession, FAU would respond with a big bucket of their own to create separation.
"Every time it felt like we got it close, they [FAU] have an answer," McCasland said to Mean Green Sports. "Again I love our groups competitiveness but it just wasn't enough to get it done on the road."
Florida International
UNT shot the ball better on Saturday afternoon, but they weren't able to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit during a 69-59 loss to the Panthers.
North Texas only played six players during Saturday afternoon's game due to injuries.
DJ Draper finished 7 of 13 from the field with a team-high 19 points, while Roosevelt Smart added 15 and Umoja Gibson scored 14.
UNT couldn't contain FIU's Brian Beard Jr. and Antonio Daye Jr., who scored 22 and 20 points, respectively.
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