Cbs Sportsline - Sun Belt Preview

[MeanGreen61]

West Division

1. North Texas

Strengths: Start with shooting, particularly in the backcourt. Returning guards Josh White and Collin Dennis combined for 27.5 ppg and 100 3-pointers. What's more, they teamed to hit nearly 44 percent from the bonus arc, an indication that they just weren't heaving up any shot that came to mind. Thanks in large part to White and Dennis, North Texas shot 39.8 percent from the 3-point line -- 12th in Division I. It also converted acceptably from the field (46 percent) and the foul line (71.9), an indication it knows something about shot selection. The Mean Green were solid on the boards, too, outrebounding opponents by more than six per game. While the top two rebounders graduated, the transfers and 6-10 freshman center Ben Knox give them a good chance to be a glass-eating squad again.

Weaknesses: No proven inside scorers, at least at the season's outset, mean White and Dennis will probably have a tougher time shaking free for clean looks against defenses that are aimed to contain them. If someone on the roster doesn't develop as a decent option in the lane, it will be hard for White and Dennis to duplicate last year's efficiency. Another task for White and Dennis is to improve their ball-handling. The duo combined for 75 assists and 121 turnovers, which was a main reason the team finished with 466 turnovers and just 336 assists. And the leading assist man from last year, Ben Bell, is no longer around to get them the ball. North Texas must also get tougher away from the Super Pit. It was 15-2 at home, 5-9 in road or neutral-site games.

Scouting the newcomers: Four players could offer some kind of immediate help. Point guard Dominique Johnson transferred in from Arkansas-Fort Smith, where he averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists as the Lions won 28 games. In keeping with the Mean Green's strength, Johnson canned nearly 40 percent of his 3s last year. He has a good chance to play right away, even though it means the team could start three guards 6-2 or smaller. Eric Tramiel scored 15.9 points and averaged 8.6 rebounds at Paris (Texas) Junior College last year. The 6-7, 225-pound power forward could fit right into the lineup as North Texas lost its top rebounders to graduation and has no proven scoring underneath. Ben Knox is thin and raw, but at 6-10 and 215 pounds, has the height and athleticism to possibly get minutes if he can progress enough in preseason. Knox hit for 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots per game for Grace Prep in Arlington, Texas. Finally, George Odufuwa becomes eligible after sitting out last season following his transfer from Arizona State, where he played sparingly in 13 games as a freshman. At 6-8 and 240 pounds, Odufuwa could give the Mean Green a physical presence inside

SUN BELT PREVIEW

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