Creighton has another quick turnaround game when they take on North Texas on Sunday afternoon. They survived the game against South Dakota in 2OT after the last quick turnaround game, however, this time, this one is on the road when they take on the Mean Green.
The Bluejays close out their non-conference season with the start of a home-and-home series with North Texas. This was a result from two seasons ago when the Jays needed an opening game opponent and UNT signed up with the stipulation of a separate series with the Jays. At the same time, Texas natives like Austin Chatman and Geoffrey Groselle get to return to their home state for a game in front of family and friends.
To catch us up on what has happened in the past couple of seasons since the Bluejays saw the Mean Green last, we reached out to Brett Vito of the Denton Record Chronicle. (I also answered some questions for him that was published here.) Here is what Brett had to say about UNT.
White & Blue Review: What has changed the most about the UNT program since Creighton played them two seasons ago?
Brett Vito: There was a whole lot of hope and enthusiasm surrounding UNT’s program back then. Johnny Jones had just left for LSU, leaving huge shoes to fill, but the Mean Green still had a loaded roster featuring a future NBA draft pick in Tony Mitchell, two guys who will finish their careers among the top 20 players in program history in scoring in Alzee and Jordan Williams and a guy who finished his time at UNT ranked sixth in program history in assists in just Chris Jones. UNT crashed to 12-20 and things have never been the same.
Attendance dropped 40.7 percent from the 2011-12 season to 2,323 fans last season, the lowest total in seven years. It’s still early, but it’s down to 1,796 fans this year.
UNT did finish 16-16 last year, which was an improvement. But there is little doubt expectations have changed. The last time UNT faced Creighton, the question was whether or not the Mean Green could win a game or two in the NCAA tournament. These days the question is if they can win a game or two in the Conference USA tournament.
WBR: Is the program headed in the right direction? Do they have the right coaching staff in place to make them successful?
BV: That’s the big question. UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal said over the summer that UNT needs to win Conference USA games and show improvement this season. The question is if the Mean Green can reach that goal after finishing 6-10 in league play last year. UNT is 5-4 this year, but the schedule is about to get a whole lot tougher. There is definitely heat on UNT this year.
WBR: Who do the Bluejays need to look out for on Sunday’s game?
BV: UNT plays well in its zone and ranks among the better defensive teams in Conference USA. The Mean Green lead the league in field goal percentage defense at 37.9 percent. UNT also has two pretty good players in senior guard Jordan Williams and freshman forward Jeremy Combs, who has really come on of late. Combs is good inside, where he does all his damage.
WBR: Who has been the biggest surprise this season on the team?
BV: Combs, no question. He came in highly touted and has shown signs of being an impact player. He finished with 25 points in UNT’s last game, his first back in the starting lineup since the third game of the year.
WBR: Creighton will have a quick turnaround playing a game on Friday night and then heading to Texas for Sunday afternoon’s game. Will UNT have a decided advantage since they played at home on Wednesday night and had extra time to prepare for the Jays? Does UNT’s offensive and defensive strategies help too?
BV: I doubt it. UNT plays pretty well in its zone, but it susceptible to teams that know how to attack it. Iona guard Alex English lit UNT up for 37 points. Stephen F. Austin got the big buckets they needed them in a win over UNT. Outside shooting will be critical. I would watch to see if Creighton has tired legs.
WBR: How is the support of the fans for the Mean Green? Is the home environment active?
BV: Like I mentioned, support has dwindled. The Super Pit is a big venue. When attendance is down, it’s kind of dead. UNT has a pretty big student following with a group called teh Pit Crew during its run of six straight winning seasons, including five 20-win campaigns, five conference tournament finals and two NCAA tournament bids. The student section has almost died out completely. UNT is trying to bring it back, but it’s going to take wins for the Mean Green to get back to where it had a couple of sections full of students every game.. The fact that Creighton is in will help a little, but the game is on Sunday. There will be a couple thousand people there, but that will be about it.
WBR: This is the first of a home and home series with UNT coming back to Omaha next year. What is your opinion of this series and what is non-conference scheduling is like for the school?
BV: I’m not sure if Creighton is getting what it bargained for, but it’s a good deal for UNT. The Mean Green get a high-profile opponent at home and a game that could get people interested. Creighton scheduled this game when UNT was on a roll. As of Thursday morning, UNT is sitting at No. 232 in ESPN’s RPI projections with its top win coming against Delaware State, which is at No. 202. If Creighton wins this game, it does pretty much nothing for the Bluejays other than giving them a chance to play in front of Texas recruits and bring Austin Chatman, who played at The Colony home in his senior year. It’s not a win that is going to help Creighton when it comes to NCAA tournament selection time and it’s an unmitigated disaster if it somehow manages to lose.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will the Mean Green need to do to get a win against the Jays?
BV: I expect Creighton to win comfortably. UNT will need monster games from Williams, Combs and Maurice Aniefiok to have a chance and even that might not be enough. Creighton will have to have a horrible shooting day and struggle against UNT’s zone as well.
