The North Texas Mean Green will be at Constant Convocation Center to face off against the Old Dominion Monarchs in a Conference USA matchup. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 11.
The Monarchs come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, beating Charlotte 74-69 in their last game. Trey Freeman was the game’s leading scorer with 38 points on 16-for-31 shooting. The Mean Green are coming off an 80-69 win over Louisiana Tech in their last game. Deckie Johnson shot 7 for 13 and led in scoring with 21 points.
Freeman has been playing at a high level over the last five games for the Monarchs. During that stretch, he has averaged 31.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 three-pointers.
The Monarchs enter the game with records of 13-10 Straight Up (SU) and 5-13-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Old Dominion has averaged 74.2 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 67.7. Expect to see a lot of second-chance opportunities for Old Dominion in this matchup, which is one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with an average of 12.9 offensive boards per game. Old Dominion is one of the most disciplined teams in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.43. Turning to the defensive side, the Old Dominion defense is very good at home, only giving up 58.9 points per game. The Monarchs have limited opponents’ efforts from beyond the arc, allowing 5.0 three-pointers made per game. North Texas has a habit of getting in foul trouble (22.0 fouls per game), so expect the Monarchs to get a number of opportunities from the free throw line.
On the other side, North Texas has a SU record of 9-14 and an ATS record of 5-12-1. Offensively, the Mean Green have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 76.3 points per game after averaging only 69.2 during that stretch. The last 10 games have really brought out the best of the Mean Green on the defensive end. They’ve allowed 66.2 points per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 78.6.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time the conference rivals played, Old Dominion won, moving its SU record against the Mean Green to 3-0. The Monarchs also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 2-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – ODU, ATS Winner – ODU
Notes
North Texas averages 76.3 points per game this season. Old Dominion is one of the best teams in points allowed, giving up just 62.1 points per game (ranked 12th).
The North Texas Mean Green average 72.7 possessions per game and 1.050 points per possession. The Old Dominion Monarchs earn fewer possessions with 62.3, but they score more points with 1.086.
Old Dominion has an average effective field goal percentage of 47.6%. North Texas is an abysmal 1-13 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Old Dominion attempts 13.0 three pointers and North Texas attempts 17.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Old Dominion Monarchs have a winning 2-1 record while the North Texas Mean Green have a poor 2-4 record.
Old Dominion ranks 46th in offensive rebounding. North Texas ranks 148th in defensive rebounding.
On average, North Texas forces a turnover rate of 17.9%. When Old Dominion turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 3-1 record.
