The Old Dominion Monarchs (17-12) will bring the regular season to a close on the road when they clash against the North Texas Mean Green (11-18) at The Super Pit. The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 3.
The Mean Green are hoping to rebound after their 81-70 loss to Southern Miss in their last matchup. Jeremy Combs put in a solid effort despite the loss for North Texas, recording 15 points and 14 rebounds to earn his 14th double-double of the season. The Monarchs, meanwhile, are coming off a 78-56 win over Texas San Antonio in their last outing. Brandan Stith claimed his seventh double-double of the season with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Combs has taken his game to another level for the Mean Green. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.6 steals. Stith has upped his play for the Monarchs. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 15.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 3.0 blocks.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Monarchs winning the first matchup 67-47. Stith put up a double-double in the victory with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Mean Green enter the game with records of 11-18 Straight Up (SU) and 7-16-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The North Texas defense is doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games. It is allowing an average of 64.2 points per game, well under their season average of 78.2.
Across the court, the Monarchs have records of 9-15-1 ATS and 17-12 SU. The Monarchs are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 13.1 offensive rebounds per game. The Monarchs are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 28th in Division I at 1.44. The Old Dominion defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking 10th in Division I with only 62.0 points allowed per game. Old Dominion’s defense is one of the top in the nation, with opponents shooting only .400 from the field. The Monarchs are in for a physical game against North Texas. The Mean Green are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 21.7 fouls per game.
Old Dominion won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 4-0. Additionally, with a 3-1 record, Old Dominion has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – ODU, ATS Winner – ODU
Notes
North Texas scores an average of just 74.5 points per game (ranked 119th). Old Dominion ranks 10th in points allowed, giving up 62.0 points per game.
Old Dominion won its last game by a 22-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, North Texas is 3-9. Old Dominion is 7-1 in blowouts this season.
North Texas averages 71.7 possessions per game, scoring 1.039 points on each possession. While Old Dominion averages fewer possessions per game with 62.9, they score more points per possession with 1.077.
The North Texas Mean Green average an effective field goal percentage of 50.5% this season. The Old Dominion Monarchs have an underachieving record of 1-9 when opponents have an eFG% of 50.5% or greater.
The North Texas Mean Green average 17.0 three point attempts per game, while the Old Dominion Monarchs attempt 13.0. When attempting 20 or more three pointers in a game, North Texas is a poor 3-5, while Old Dominion is an even 2-2.
Old Dominion, the 100th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 4.0 per game. North Texas does worse, ranked 205th with 3.2.
The Old Dominion Monarchs rank 33rd in offensive rebounds. The North Texas Mean Green rank 179th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
On average, North Texas forces a turnover rate of 17.7%. When Old Dominion turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 4-1 record.
