North Texas will take on Troy (20-11) for the Sunbelt Basketball Tournament Title this evening at 6 PM. This is a game that has more meaning then just the NCAA Automatic Tournament Bid. Troy has secured the automatic bid to the NIT Tournament because as a result of winning the regular season title. If Troy beats North Texas, any Sunbelt team going to the NIT will have to go through the selection process. For the most part, teams that are selected for the NIT are fan based chosen. The more fans in the stands for a team the better chance of getting selected for or hosting an NIT bid. Could it be no Sunbelt team in the NIT because of low fan support?  While that probably will not happen, but it does point out the need for fan support.

North Texas enters the Championship Game by holding off a very determined Denver program. The Pioneer’s gave the Mean Green all they could handle in the second game of Monday’s Tournament action. It looked at times Denver was going to bump off North Texas, but the Mean Green stopped the charge to preserve 63-56 win.

Troy had the same problem with Western Kentucky. The Trojans built a big first half lead and were up by 13 at the break, 38-25.  They found themselves in a battle for their lives to open the second half as WKU mounded a huge comeback effort going on 13-1 run. In the end Troy was able to hold on to a 54-48 lead sending them into the Championship Game against the Mean Green.

Both teams are on a roll. North Texas is on a ten game winning streak while Troy is on a season long seven game winning streak.

The two teams faced each in a regular season nailbiter at Troy. North Texas was up 33-26 at the half but Troy came back to take the lead. The teams started to trade baskets in a seesaw effort by both teams.The game was not decided until the last second three point shot by Troy rimmed in out securing the win for North Texas 75-72.

Tonight's game will be aired on ESPN2.