Green Wave Faces North Texas to Begin AAC Championship

FORT WORTH, Texas – Tulane University men's basketball (14-16, 5-13) will open play in the 2024 American Athletic Championship as the 10 seed against the seven seed North Texas (17-13, 10-8) on Thursday in Dickies Arena. The Green Wave has won at least one game in the AAC Championship each season under head coach Ron Hunter.

The game between the Green Wave and the Mean Green is scheduled to tipoff at 6 p.m. on ESPNU. Fans can also listen to the action live on the Tulane Sports Network from Learfield on 104.1 The Spot with the Voice of the Green Wave Corey Gloor or streaming on the Tulane Athletics App and The Varsity Network App.

Tulane holds a 5-8 record in AAC tournament games since joining the league in 2014. The Green Wave went 1-1 in last season's tournament reaching the semifinals for the second straight year. Since North Texas is new to the American this season, the Wave has never faced the Mean Green in the AAC Tournament. However, Tulane defeated North Texas 66-61 in the Conference USA Tournament in 2014 in El Paso, Texas.

This marks the fifth all-time meeting between Tulane and North Texas with the series tied 2-2. The Mean Green won both meeting earlier this season - 70-56 in Denton, Texas, and 80-76 in New Orleans. The last time Tulane defeated the Mean Green came at the C-USA Tournament in 2014.

The Green Wave secured a pair of postseason honors in the AAC. Senior Kevin Cross was named third team All-AAC marking the third time in his career he has earned third team honors in the league. Sion James earned the AAC Sportsmanship Award for the second season in a row.

In its last time out, Tulane closed out the regular season by snapping a seven-game losing streak with an 85-75 win at home over Wichita State on March 8. Cross led all scorers in the contest with a career-high 31 points to go with a career best 4-of-4 from downtown. He also led the Green Wave with nine rebounds, six assists, and a pair of blocks. Collin Holloway also finished with 20-plus points tallying 24 points including 18 in the second half against the Shockers.

North Texas leads the conference in scoring defense (62.4) and three-point percentage (37.5). Jason Edwards leads the Mean Green in scoring at 19.2 points per game and earned first team all-conference selection.

The Mean Green is 1-4 in neutral site games this season including a loss to Mississippi State 72-54 in Tupelo, Mississippi. North Texas averages 58.4 points on 38.0 percent shooting in neutral site games compared to 68.6 points on 43.6 percent shooting overall.

With a win over North Texas, Tulane will advance to the quarterfinals of the AAC tournament fourth season in a row. The Green Wave would face the No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 15, on ESPNU.

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Green Wave Faces North Texas to Begin AAC Championship

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Players Mentioned

Kevin Cross

Collin Holloway

Sion James

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