Je’Shawn Stevenson Leads North Texas Against Santa Clara

Entering the week with a 2-0 record, the North Texas men’s basketball team prepares to host reigning NCAA Tournament team Santa Clara at The Super Pit on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Wednesday's matchup is the first time the Broncos and Mean Green will play on UNT's home court in five meetings. Santa Clara enters the contest with a 3-0 record.

The Mean Green look to avenge a close three-point loss suffered on a neutral court last season. Senior Cole Franklin recorded eight rebounds and six steals in that previous encounter.

Junior Je’Shawn Stevenson paces the offense after earning conference Preseason Player of the Year honors. He currently leads the team with 22.5 points per game.

Stevenson scored a career-best 30 points in a recent win over McNeese. He also averages five assists per contest.

Ranking 33rd nationally in total field goal makes and 40th in points per game, Stevenson shoots 54.6% from the floor. A victory on Wednesday would mark the program’s first win over a California opponent since defeating Fresno State in 2022.

South Alabama visits Denton on Saturday at 5 p.m. for its third game of the week. The Jaguars enter the matchup with a 1-1 record.

North Texas holds a 14-9 deficit in the overall series against South Alabama. Recent history favors the Mean Green, who hold a 5-1 record against the Jaguars since 2010 and a 3-0 mark in Denton.

Last season, UNT defeated South Alabama by a single point in Mobile. Stevenson contributed 22 points to secure that victory.

Sophomore Ousmane Ndour ranks tenth nationally in offensive rebounding with 5.0 per game while adding 7.5 points per contest. The Mean Green defense held McNeese to 67 points last week following McNeese’s 99-point opening-night performance against UAB.

Both scoring defense and field goal percentage defense rank inside the top 40 nationally entering the week. Fans can follow both matchups remotely through ESPN+ streaming or the Varsity Network radio broadcast.