Quick Reaction: NTMBB 54 Minnesota 51
Whats New is Old and Old, New.
It is always about the defense. Always. When taking on B1G teams, NT fits right in. Maybe someone should call up the realignment committees and point to the resume.
NT went to Minnesota and got a win. 3-0 on the season, and a very nice resume bullet point is on the board. Kenpom had this as a Tier A game. The star of the game was the collective NT defense, which held Minnesota to just 14 first half points. NT led 23-14 at the half. The Gophers found som offense in the second half, however. Dawson Garcia got loose and put up 24 points, ten of which came on freebies. The whole NT internet was upset with the referees, so do with that information what you will.
In short, NT uglied the game up with good defense, and grinded for points. Rondel Walker was huge from distance with his two threes. The first opened up the scoring, and the second stretched the lead late. The rest of the scoring was spread evenly, with six other guys getting at least six points. Sissoko has continued his nice start to the season, battling for his third straight game with 6 points. It seems small, but he was going o-fer last season in some games. Six points, six rebounds, a block, and a steal is solid work.
North Texas got big buckets when they needed it. It was nice to see Floyd get some isolation buckets, and even nicer to see Brenen Lorient get the game-winning poster. North Texas was up by a point, and Lorient stood at the top of the key before sprinting to the basket by his lonesome. His man was beat by two steps and Lorient punched it in to put NT up three.
Also of note? Lu’Cye Patterson suffered his first defeat to NT. He went 2-0 at Charlotte, both at home. Unlike in those games, he was held in check, only getting 9 points on 3/14 shooting.
NT is now 3-0.
The program’s third straight win over a Big Ten opponent (Purdue in Tourney, Wisconsin in NIT)
Rondel Walker’s 14 was a career high at NT.
UNT is 3-0 for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
North Texas is now 26-10 (.722) in all true road games since the start of the 2021-22 season. Only Houston, Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s have been better since then.
Next up: McNeese away on November 18th