Preview: North Texas at Tulsa in Key AAC Men’s Basketball Clash

TULSA, Okla. (Interstat) — A compelling rematch awaits in American Athletic Conference play Wednesday when the surging Tulsa Golden Hurricane host the North Texas Mean Green at the Donald Reynolds Center.

The game carries significant weight in the conference standings. Tulsa (17-3, 5-2 AAC) enters as one of the league’s hottest teams, having won five of its last six, including an 87-81 road victory at Rice on Saturday. North Texas (12-8, 4-3) looks to rebound after a 63-59 home loss to East Carolina last Friday snapped a two-game winning streak.

The teams met just over three weeks ago in Denton, with North Texas securing a 72-67 victory on Jan. 4. That result adds a layer of revenge motivation for the Golden Hurricane on their home floor.

A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top scorers. North Texas guard Je’Shawn Stevenson, who torched Tulsa for 21 points in the first meeting, is averaging 20.1 points per game over his last seven contests. He scored 27 in a win over UTSA on Jan. 21 and 18 in the loss to East Carolina.

Tulsa counters with guard Miles Barnstable, who has been on a tear during his team’s recent run. Barnstable is averaging 19.3 points over his last six games, including a 25-point performance at UAB on Jan. 18 and 21 points at Rice. He was held to 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting in the earlier loss to the Mean Green.

Tulsa’s offense has been potent, scoring 86 points or more in four of its last five wins. North Texas, known for its deliberate pace and stout defense, will aim to control tempo and replicate its defensive success from the first matchup, where it held Tulsa to 39% shooting from the field.

The Golden Hurricane have lost only once at home this season. The Mean Green are 3-4 in true road games.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST Wednesday. The game will be televised on ESPNU.