North Texas at OSU: An NIT Preview

Abou Ousmane, We Meet Again

In about three hours, North Texas will take on Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma as the higher seed. Much has been discussed about it. I don’t think it was ideal, but I hardly think it was a travesty. Still, we spent more time thinking about that than the actual basketball game. This is a chance to get a rematch with UAB in Indianapolis. Yes, that old nemesis is also in this tournament and presumably looking to repeat their feat in Vegas, where they lost so spectacularly to the Good Guys, led by Tylor Perry.

Tonight — we have Abou Ousmane in orange lining up against Mou Sissoko. That is the former starter for UNT against his backup. Not just any backup, mind you, the one who stepped in during that NIT run, and basically manned the middle by his lonesome against OSU, Wisconsin, and then UAB. He had 12 and 15 vs Olahoma State’s big men! We have been pinning for NIT Mou since then. After a down 2024, he is playing at that standard. He’s good for ~30 minutes per game, about 8 points and 8 rebounds but he comes up big in the NIT. How about 8 points 7 rebounds and 3 blocks vs Arkansas State? How about it?

Abou Ousmane was a MGN favorite, with a nice touch around the rim, good footwork, and the capability of being a very good big man. He put up some big minutes for North Texas in the CUSA winning year, where NT upset Purdue. Huge stuff. He will always be appreciated here. That said, I hope he has a bad game on the way to a loss for Oklahoma State. So it goes. He transferred to Xavier, had a so-so year, and then finished it up here at OSU.

He’s averaging 12.4 and 5 rebs for the Pokes, but can get them 20+ on a good night. He had 27 vs Kansas State

The real danger isn’t Abou, it is the rest of the State athleticism. The 6’6” Bryce Thompson is a one-time Kansas commit who can score at the rim in a variety of ways. He can shoot the three, but it’s more of a catch-and-shoot deal. You might also remember Arturo Dean, formerly of FIU. To my eyes, their quick hands and athleticism might be a problem on the break. Take care of the ball, and make good passes against the press and we should be fine.

State gambles a ton defensively, looking for those steals, and they give up some positions and things that good teams can take advantage of. Wichita State got a lot at the basket but missed some bunnies. They also allowed State to get into their sets easily, move the ball, and find wide open looks with little pressure.

Against SMU — Dean was attacking the hoop a ton, Thompson had 24, and Ousmane had the game-winning bucket to put OSU up for good.

Kenpom has NT slightly more efficient on both offense and defense. I will say that UAB and Memphis gave NT problems with their athleticism. Dean is the nation’s active leader in steals and if they are gambling and it is paying off? Well it will be a long night in Oklahoma. If NT can be smart with the ball, I see some easy buckets on the horizon.

Indicator the game is going our way: NT is not allowing live-ball turnovers, running the offense, getting the looks we have seen all season.

Indicator the game is not going our way: Thompson is driving unimpeded into the lane and finds a rhythm, Dean and company are running the floor after steals.

Oklahoma State does not have great shooters — but they will hit some wide open looks — and their offense is more based on attacking the rim. NT has a no-middle defense that is beaten by quick athletes, quick ball movement, and knocking down threes. UAB, Memphis, others beat NT when they got into a rock fight and NT simply ran out of rocks. Such is life. NT has to make shots. It is the post season and we need more heroics from our guards. NT won the NIT thanks to Tylor Perry balling out of control — especially in Stillwater.

It would be amazing to see Atin Wright, and Jasper Floyd continue a tradition.

Meanwhile the rumors are that Ross Hodge is being poached (will be a rumor as long as NT is good) by WVU. I think that has some legs, considering that Wren Baker is the AD over there and thinks highly of Hodge.

Ross Hodge has a good thing here at NT, but the resources are greater in Morgantown than they are in Denton so I do not blame him for even thinking about it (assuming he is).

GMG