Beyond the Arc: UNT Basketball's Transformation in AAC Play

Jan 28, 2025

It’s been a while, but we’re now seven games into the AAC conference schedule, and there’s plenty to discuss about the '24-'25 North Texas men’s basketball team. Back in December, the conversation centered around offensive struggles, playing Massie at the 4, Moulaye Sissoko’s impact, and the elite-yet-inconsistent defense. Since then, UNT has evolved. The offense is performing at an all-time high, Moulaye Sissoko and Brenen Lorient are playing at an elite level, and while defensive consistency remains an issue, this team has shown flashes of brilliance. Let’s dive into the details.

Moulaye Sissoko: The Rock in the Paint

Moulaye Sissoko has been a game-changer for UNT in conference play. His offensive rating of 151.2 ranks as the second-highest in the AAC, and his contributions on both ends of the floor cannot be overstated. He’s in the top 15 for offensive and defensive rebounding percentages, and his scoring efficiency has skyrocketed. After shooting 58.3% on 2-pointers in non-conference games, Sissoko has improved to 77.5% in conference play, the second-best mark in the league.

His impact goes beyond raw percentages. With Sissoko on the floor, UNT’s offensive efficiency improves by 22.4 points per 100 possessions, and their defensive efficiency is 9.1 points better. His points per possession on post-ups in conference play stands at 1.30, highlighting his ability to give UNT easy buckets in the paint. Additionally, 62.5% of his shots in conference play come at the rim, and he’s converting an incredible 88% of those attempts. Sissoko is the team’s security blanket—a reliable presence who sets the tone on both ends of the court.

As good as he’s been, Sissoko has been playing through injuries, making his dominance even more impressive. If he can maintain this pace, UNT has a solid foundation to build on for the rest of the season.

Brenen Lorient: The Breakout Star

Over the last six games, Brenen Lorient has emerged as one of the best players in the AAC. His stats tell the story: 16.2 points per game, 59% shooting from the field, 78.7% free throw rate, and 4.1 fouls drawn per game. Add in 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, and it’s clear Lorient is a force on both ends of the floor.

What makes Lorient special is his versatility. He scores efficiently in a variety of ways—cuts, post-ups, pick-and-rolls, and spot-ups. In conference play, 24.5% of his possessions come from post-ups, and he’s converting at a 57.5% rate. But where he truly shines is in spot-up situations. Lorient shoots an astounding 72.7% in spot-up scenarios, whether it’s no-dribble jumpers, pull-ups, runners, or drives to the basket.

Lorient has become the centerpiece of UNT’s offense, and as his ceiling rises, so does the team’s potential. If his current growth trajectory continues, Lorient could be the key to UNT making a deep postseason run.

Offensive Efficiency at Historic Levels

Coming into the season, UNT was known for its defense. Now, they’re making waves with an offense that’s performing at an all-time high. In AAC play, the team leads the conference in free throw rate and is shooting 41.8% from beyond the arc. Atin Wright is leading the charge at 46.9% from three, with Grant Newell at 35.7%, Lorient at 83%, and Jossell at 34.5%. They’re also protecting the ball, averaging just 9.9 turnovers per game.

A hallmark of this offensive explosion has been their second-half adjustments. UNT’s offensive efficiency jumps from 110.1 in the first half to 137.72 in the second half during AAC games. This speaks to Coach Ross Hodge’s ability to adapt mid-game and maximize his team’s strengths.

However, guard play has been inconsistent. Floyd, Massie, and Jossell have shown flashes of brilliance but often disappear for stretches. When they’re locked in and complement the interior play of Sissoko and Lorient, UNT’s offense becomes nearly unstoppable.

NCAA Tournament Outlook: A Steep Climb

The question you may be asking is, what chance does UNT have at making the NCAA tournament as an at-large team? Unfortunately, the odds aren’t in their favor. UNT finds itself in a tough position, having failed to secure a win against a likely tournament team. Missed opportunities against Utah State, McNeese State, and Memphis loom large, and there are no marquee matchups left on the schedule to boost their resume.

NT needs to climb at least 10 spots to enter the conversation.

The metrics love UNT, and if the team continues to rack up wins, they’ll climb the charts—potentially cracking the top 30 in the NET rankings. If that happens, bracketologists will start placing UNT on the bubble. However, the margin for error is razor-thin. Typically, the 46th or 47th ranked team in by the committee makes the tournament as one of the last four in. Right now, UNT is likely in the 55-58 range, meaning they need to climb at least 10 spots to enter the conversation.

The problem? Teams ahead of UNT primarily play in major conferences with more opportunities to improve their resumes. For UNT to make an at-large bid realistic, they’d need to finish 26-4 overall and 17-1 in conference play. The chances of that happening are around 3-4%, they’ll need everything to go right, even though UNT will be favored in most games,

Could it happen? Sure. Anything is possible in college basketball. But for now, my advice is to enjoy the ride. UNT has put together a special season so far, and there’s still a lot to look forward to—regardless of what the bracketologists say.

Upcoming Games: Wichita State and UTSA

UNT faces a struggling Wichita State team next, and this matchup plays into the Mean Green’s strengths. Wichita State hasn’t been as strong offensively as expected, with much of their offense coming from attacking the basket. Forty-six percent of their shots come at the rim through cutting actions, but UNT defends that area exceptionally well. Opponents are shooting just 35.3% on cutting actions against the Mean Green, making it tough for the Shockers to generate high-percentage looks. Wichita State also struggles in spot-up situations, which happens to align with one of UNT’s weaker defensive areas, potentially neutralizing that threat. Additionally, Wichita State doesn’t have a good answer for Brenen Lorient, especially when he’s playing at the 4, giving UNT a clear advantage.

On Saturday, UNT takes on UTSA in a rematch. The Roadrunners used a press to spark a second-half comeback in their previous meeting, forcing 12 turnovers and scoring 19 points off those mistakes. This time around, expect UNT to attack the press aggressively rather than simply trying to break it. While UTSA remains a dangerous team capable of turning the game into a dogfight, UNT’s adjustments should help them control the game more effectively this time.

The Final Buzzer

This UNT squad is hitting stride at a good time. Sissoko is dominating in the paint, Lorient is playing like a star, and the offense is absolutely cooking. The Mean Green are shaping up to be a serious problem in the AAC. Sure, making the NCAA tournament might take near-perfection from here on out, but when you combine their offensive firepower with flashes of defensive greatness, they’re a team nobody wants to face.

For now, just sit back, enjoy the ride, and let’s see how far thisteam can go. The season isn’t over, and UNT has the tools to make some serious noise.