The Sam Houston State Bearkats and the North Texas Mean Green meet Sunday in NIT college basketball action from UNT Coliseum. Sam Houston enters this one at 26-7 on the year. The Bearkats beat Santa Clara in their Wednesday tournament matchup. As for North Texas, they’re 27-7 this season following a tourney win over Alcorn State. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Sam Houston State
The Bearkats managed a nice 24-6 record over the course of the regular season. Sam Houston finished off the schedule with seven straight wins, then beat California Baptist 64-51 in the WAC Tournament. Game two was a 78-75 loss to Grand Canyon, however.
Back on Wednesday in NIT action versus Santa Clara, the Bearkats took a 30-26 edge into the second half. Sam Houston was outscored 30-28 from there but held on for the win 58-56. Qua Grant led the team on 21 points and six assists.
North Texas Mean Green
Over on the North Texas side, they were 25-6 in the regular season. The Mean Green took out Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky in their final two games, then beat LA Tech 74-46 in the Conference USA Tournament. North Texas would then fall 76-69 to UAB in game two.
In their NIT matchup versus Alcorn State on Wednesday, North Texas didn’t have much trouble after the break. The Mean Green emerged from halftime up 30-26, then scored 39 more in a 69-53 victory. Tylor Perry led the way on 21 points and six rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with North Texas in this one. The Mean Green are coming off a pretty solid all-around win over Alcorn State, shooting 44 percent from the field with 36 rebounds and 17 team assists. North Texas isn’t scoring spectacularly these days, but they’ve managed 67 or more points in four straight outings. As for Sam Houston, they’re on a 9-1 run over their last 10 games and playing some pretty solid basketball. I think the Bearkats will push North Texas in a great matchup here, but in the end I think the Green will take the cover. Should be a fun one to watch.