North Texas Basketball: Balance and patient pace make the Green mean, determined

[Jonnyeagle]

North Texas basketball is in the midst of an excellent stretch. Could another NCAA Tournament berth be on the horizon?

The modern 64-team NCAA Tournament era began in 1985. Over the first 33 years of that format, North Texas basketball experienced only the occasional boom. The Mean Green made three Big Dance appearances while netting at least 18 wins in only six seasons, all of which were posted by former head coach Johnny Jones (who left for LSU). The program scuffled for the five years post-Jones but has now found another star on the sidelines: Grant McCasland.
 

North Texas has leaped out to a 17-4 (10-1 CUSA) overall start and that record does not tell the full story of the campaign. The Mean Green started the year slow, losing three of their first four games against Division I competition. From that point forward, though, it is hard to find much to complain about regarding Coach McCasland and Co. while winning 15 of their last 16 games. 

The Mean Green have emerged as one of the frontrunners to win the CUSA with one month left to play before the postseason. There is even some possible at-large buzz growing. How have they made this leap into the national spotlight as one of the best mid-majors in the country? There is no easy way to answer that question, but UNT’s ability to assert its slow tempo for every game, superb offensive balance, and rock-solid defense lead the way.
 

read more:  https://heatcheckcbb.com/north-texas-basketball-balance-and-patient-pace-make-the-green-mean-determined/