 "Photo: Jon Eilts")
Texas A&M's men's basketball team hopes to remain undefeated at Reed Arena this season and push their winning streak to four games with a non-conference matchup Monday against North Texas.
North Texas is one of the favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference along with Western Kentucky. The Johnny Jones-led team returned all five starters from the 2008-2009 campaign in which they finished 20-12 and placed second in the Sun Belt West.
North Texas is led by junior guard Josh White, who averages 17.1 points, 4.6 assists, and just over three rebounds per game.
On the inside is junior forward George Odufuwa. The 6 foot 8 inch, 240-pound Texas native leads the team in rebounds with 10.9 per game and nine points.
Senior forward Eric Tramiel was also named to the all-conference first team in the preseason, and is second on the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks.
"We know North Texas is a good team and very athletic," A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon said. "There's a reason we scheduled them; they'll challenge us. They played Oklahoma State tough and they're picked to win their league."
If the Aggies can defeat the Mean Green (5-2), it will give Mark Turgeon his 28th straight victory against a non-conference opponent at Reed Arena.
"We haven't had very many easy [games] this year," Turgeon said.
In 18 matches, the Aggies hold an 11-7 series lead, including being undefeated at Reed Arena (2-0) The last time these two teams matched up was in the 2005-2006 season, when Texas A&M outlasted the Mean Green 72-70 in College Station.
Both teams average 45 percent from the floor, and get a high amount of rebounds. North Texas averages 39 boards per game, while A&M sits at 37.5 per contest.
Under Mark Turgeon, A&M is 24-0 when the team shooting percentage is at or above 50 percent. The Aggies have matched this goal three times in the 2009-2010 season.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m.
