CUSA Basketball 2016-17 Rankings/Previews

Coach Bill Lewis · October 3, 2016

11. North Texas

2015-16 Record ¦ 7-11 / 12-20

Departures ¦ Eric Katenda, Carrington Ward (Grad Transfer), Chris Campbell, Todd Eaglin, DeAndre Harris (Transfer)

Key Returners ¦ Jeremy Combs, J-Mychal Reese, Deckie Johnson, Rickey Brice Jr.

New Arrivals ¦ A.J. Lawson, Ryan Woolridge, Keith Frazier (Transfer/SMU), Bryce Jackson (Transfer/New Orleans), Derall Green (Transfer/Incarnate Word), Shane Temara (CC)

At one point in my drafts I had North Texas as high as sixth due to the talent they have returning. My issue with the Mean Green is Benford’s inability to get consist play from his teams. North Texas was an abysmal 1-12 on the road last season, while performing well at home beating Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, and FIU.

Jeremy Combs could easily end up a first team All-CUSA player. But, there are a ton of moving pieces with this team and I’m not overly optimistic that Benford can make them work together. I’ll be thrilled to be proven wrong because the Mean Green faithful deserve a consistent winner.

With the departure of Eric Katenda, their post anchor, it will be intriguing to see if Rickey Brice Jr. will continue to develop into a dominant center in this conference like many expect him to be. In just 395 minutes last season, Brice Jr. blocked 36 shots and was fourth in team rebounds. Towards the end of last seen, the big man worked himself into the starting lineup, and I expect him to establish himself there this year.

The Mean Green will gain an instant impact player come December when former SMU guard Keith Frazier becomes eligible. The former McDonald’s All-American along side Combs, Reese, Brice Jr., and Johnson give Coach Benford one of the most formidable lineups in Conference USA if they can gel. North Texas might have as high an upside as any team in Conference USA.

read more: https://thedailydragon.com/2016/10/03/cu...-previews/

untjim1995 · October 3, 2016

2 hours ago, Coach Bill Lewis said:

11. North Texas

2015-16 Record ¦ 7-11 / 12-20

Departures ¦ Eric Katenda, Carrington Ward (Grad Transfer), Chris Campbell, Todd Eaglin, DeAndre Harris (Transfer)

Key Returners ¦ Jeremy Combs, J-Mychal Reese, Deckie Johnson, Rickey Brice Jr.

New Arrivals ¦ A.J. Lawson, Ryan Woolridge, Keith Frazier (Transfer/SMU), Bryce Jackson (Transfer/New Orleans), Derall Green (Transfer/Incarnate Word), Shane Temara (CC)

At one point in my drafts I had North Texas as high as sixth due to the talent they have returning. My issue with the Mean Green is Benford’s inability to get consist play from his teams. North Texas was an abysmal 1-12 on the road last season, while performing well at home beating Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, and FIU.

Jeremy Combs could easily end up a first team All-CUSA player. But, there are a ton of moving pieces with this team and I’m not overly optimistic that Benford can make them work together. I’ll be thrilled to be proven wrong because the Mean Green faithful deserve a consistent winner.

With the departure of Eric Katenda, their post anchor, it will be intriguing to see if Rickey Brice Jr. will continue to develop into a dominant center in this conference like many expect him to be. In just 395 minutes last season, Brice Jr. blocked 36 shots and was fourth in team rebounds. Towards the end of last seen, the big man worked himself into the starting lineup, and I expect him to establish himself there this year.

The Mean Green will gain an instant impact player come December when former SMU guard Keith Frazier becomes eligible. The former McDonald’s All-American along side Combs, Reese, Brice Jr., and Johnson give Coach Benford one of the most formidable lineups in Conference USA if they can gel. North Texas might have as high an upside as any team in Conference USA when they get a new coach.

read more: https://thedailydragon.com/2016/10/03/cu...-previews/