The Super Pit will be rocking at high noon when Arkansas State and North Texas tip-off for a Sun Belt Conference matchup. The two teams played January 7^th in Jonesboro, Ark., where the hearts of the North Texas fans were ripped out by a desperation shot from near midcourt by ASU that went at the buzzer to send North Texas home a 72-75 loser.

Gone from North Texas since then is Jordan Williams who had 15 points in the game and reached double scoring in the first half. Also gone is Chris Jones who poured in a game high 17 points plus four steals. Both are gone because of grades.

The good news is Tony Mitchell who had five blocks in the game, Brandan Walton who had double figures and three steals and Niko Stojiljkovic with four assists will be suiting up for North Texas.  

ASU whipped North Texas in the paint putting in 42 points to North Texas’ 22. They creamed North Texas 21-11 in turnover points. Out-ran North Texas in fast break points 11-6.  The only thing ASU did not do was runaway with the score.

North Texas is facing a lot of uphill obstacles in the final seven games. Who will step up to replace Williams and Jones?

Last game Tyler Hall did an admirable job in his new position as a starter. He has been very effective passing to Tony Mitchell and getting the ball to the open man. However, with Mitchell out in the ASU game he seems to erratic.  

Alzee Williams gave it all he had playing 40 minutes, because Mitchell got into foul trouble within the first few minutes of the first and second half. Williams put in 11 points and had a career high three assists.

Even though Mitchell played only 17 minutes, he managed to score 11 points and get five rebounds.

Roger Franklin grabbed 11 rebounds and added 15 points.

The return of Jacob Holmen resulted in six points.

It appears with the new lineup, some players are starting to play as a team. The problem is they seem to lose confidence when Mitchell is on the bench in foul trouble. However, in the Louisiana-Lafayette game, with Mitchell on the bench, the rest of the team kept pace with the Cajuns which should show the team they can play without Mitchell. The game also showed without Mitchell they will get tired late in the second period allowing opponents to pull away from them.

Every team is going to go after Mitchell early in the game to get him into foul trouble. They know the game plan is to go after Mitchell, get him into foul trouble and Head Coach Johnny Jones will put in A. Williams in for 40 minutes. That will wear him out in the second half.

More than ever, Mitchell is the key to the team however, when he gets into foul trouble, it is proven the rest of the team can play with almost anybody and can keep the game close until Mitchell gets back in.