Men's Basketball Tips Off 2019-20 Season at Texas

Calendar

Oct 18

4 p.m. MT

Men's Basketball

vs Wyoming

Nov 3

7:30 p.m. MT

Men's Basketball

vs Colorado College

Nov 7

6 p.m. MT

Men's Basketball

vs Colorado Christian

Nov 15

TBA

Men's Basketball

at Pepperdine

Nov 21

5:30 p.m. MT | 4:30 PT

Men's Basketball

vs St. Thomas

Nov 22

6 p.m. MT | 5 p.m. PT

Men's Basketball

at Portland

Nov 23

12 p.m. MT | 11 a.m. PT

Men's Basketball

vs California State - Fullerton

Nov 26

TBA

Men's Basketball

at Air Force

Nov 29

6 p.m. MT

Men's Basketball

vs Regis

GAME INFO
Who: Northern Colorado (0-0) at Texas
When: Nov. 5, 6 pm MT
Where: Austin. Texas, Frank C Erwin Center
How to Follow: Longhorn Network | 1310 KFKA | Live Stats | @UNC_BearsM BB

Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado is coming off a 21-11 2018-19 season in which they finished second in the Big Sky regular season.
• The Bears returns four of its five starters from last season.
• UNC has the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Jonah Radebaugh, and Big Sky Freshman of the Year, Bodie Hume, back for the 2019-20 season.
• Head coach Jeff Linder earned the Big Sky Coach of the Year honor in 2018-19.
• Texas finished its season on a high note last year by winning the NIT. They defeated Lipscomb in the finals 81-66.
• The Longhorns return eight lettermen from last season, but only two of their three starters from a team that went 21-16.

Scouting the Longhorns
Under fifth-year head coach Shaka Smart, Texas carries some momentum with them from the end of the 2018-19 season. The Longhorns won the NIT.

While they carry the momentum with them into the season opener, the Longhorns did lose their top three scorers from last season, all of which averaged 10 or more points. Matt Coleman III is the team's returning leading scorer who averaged 9.8 points last season.

Along with losing their leading scorers, Texas also has to replace its leading rebounder from last season in Dylan Osetkowski who averaged 7.2 boardds per game.

Texas and Coach Smart are known for their defense as they forced teams into 12.7 turnovers last season including 6.1 via steals.

The Longhorns were picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 this season, behind Kansas, Baylor and Texas Tech.

History against Texas
Tuesday night's game between Northern Colorado and Texas is the first ever meeting between the two programs.

Against the Big 12
Northern Colorado has played against six of the 10 Big 12 teams and will cross another off their list on Tuesday when they face Texas. The Bears are 3-12 against the conference, with all three wins coming against Kansas State. UNC holds a 3-1 advantage over the Wildcats.

On This Date
November 5th is the earliest date in program history that the team has competed in a regular season game. Prior to this the earliest was November 8, 2013 when the Bears defeated Kansas State on opening night 60-58.

What's Ahead?
The Bears come home for a home opener doubleheader. UNC will face Incarnate Word at 8 pm on Friday, November 8. The game follows the Northern Colorado women hosting Colorado State at 6 pm.

The game will be broadcast on Pluto TV ch. 541 and 1310 KFKA.

Tickets for Friday night's game and all season long for UNC men's basketball are available at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849 or visiting the UNC Ticket Office located inside the Campus Commons.

To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @UNC_BearsMBB.