Mean Green Basketball Prepares for Defensive Showdown with High-Powered Panthers
The North Texas Mean Green men’s basketball team will hit the road for a challenging Friday night matchup, traveling to High Point, North Carolina to take on the reigning Big South Conference Champion Panthers. Tip-off from the Quebin Center is set for 7 p.m. CT and fans can catch all the action on the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield, as well as on ESPN+.
This Friday’s contest marks North Texas’ final non-conference road game of the season, and they’ll face a formidable opponent in High Point. The Panthers already boast an impressive 8-2 record, including a dominant 22-2 mark at home under second-year head coach Alan Huss. Their strong home-court advantage was on full display on November 15th when High Point defeated reigning American Athletic Conference Tournament champion UAB, 68-65.
Adding to the intrigue of the matchup is the presence of Mean Green guard Johnathan Massie. Last season, Massie was a key contributor for Longwood, a team that defied the odds and defeated the Panthers in their own arena – one of only two teams to achieve that feat over the past two seasons. Massie and the fifth-seeded Lancers pulled off a stunning upset in the semifinals of the Big South Conference Tournament, topping the No. 1 seed and tournament host 80-79 in overtime after overcoming a 15-point deficit with just 12 minutes left in regulation. Massie stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists as Longwood went on to defeat UNC Asheville 85-59 in the championship game.
Friday’s game pits two contrasting styles against each other. North Texas enters the contest as one of the nation’s most efficient defenses, holding opponents to a meager 56 points per game while forcing over 15 turnovers per contest. Conversely, High Point boasts one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, averaging over 75 points per game and shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. This clash of defensive strength versus offensive firepower should make for a thrilling and highly competitive showdown.
Following Friday’s showdown with High Point, the Mean Green will enjoy a 12-day break for final exams before returning to Denton for a three-game homestand starting December 18th against Mississippi Valley State.
For fans interested in catching the action at a future Mean Green home game, more information on tickets can be found by contacting the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or [email protected]. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.meangreentickets.com, or at the UNT Athletics Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of DATCU Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How might Johnathan Massie’s familiarity with High Point’s system and players affect the game?
## Mean Green Face Tough Test Against High-Point
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us tonight to discuss the Mean Green’s upcoming matchup against High Point is sportswriter, Alex Reed. Alex Reed, thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** North Texas is heading on the road to face a High Point team that’s red hot. Can you tell us a little about the Panthers and what makes them such a tough opponent?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. High Point is off to an impressive 8-2 start and boasts a phenomenal home record. They’re the reigning Big South Conference Champions and have proven they can hang with some of the best, evidenced by their recent win over UAB, the defending American Athletic Conference Tournament Champions. Coach Alan Huss has done a fantastic job and they’ll be a tough challenge for the Mean Green.
**Host:** What are some key matchups to watch out for in this game? I understand there’s an interesting storyline with North Texas guard Johnathan Massie?
**Alex Reed:** That’s right. Massie, a standout guard for North Texas, will be facing his former team, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
**Host:** This is North Texas’ final non-conference road game before conference play begins. How important is this game in terms of building momentum?
**Alex Reed:** This game is huge for both teams. For North Texas, it’s a chance to pick up a quality win on the road against a highly competitive opponent and build some confidence heading into conference play. For High Point, it’s a chance to extend their winning streak and maintain their dominance at home.
**Host:** Well, Alex Reed, thanks for providing some great insights. We wish the Mean Green the best of luck this Friday!
**Alex Reed:** It should be a fun one!
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