The University of North Texas is in a unique position, beginning its first basketball season as a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) with brand new head coaches for both its men’s and women’s teams.
The university introduced both Jason Burton (women’s coach) and Ross Hodge (men’s coach) at a press conference in April, where both were commended for their ability to lead and influence successful basketball programs. Both expanded on their approaches to the upcoming season at the conference’s annual media day earlier this week.
“There’s been a lot of work off the floor that’s had to happen, but I think that, from our staff to our players, everybody has the same goal in mind right now,” Burton told the media. “We want excellence in everything we do, and that’s not just on the floor.”
Burton’s approach is common but effective. To build a winning team and culture, the players must buy into what the coach teaches and conveys, and sometimes, that extends beyond the court.
“The buy-in from our players, it happened because they know it’s not just about basketball,” Burton explained. “We care about them as people. We genuinely love them, and we want them to be successful. I think that’s translated to on the floor. We’re able to be more demanding because they know when we hit the floor for practice, we’re going to work. But we’re trying to have that standard in everything we do.”
It’s only been a few months, but the players seem to have bought in despite finishing 11-20 a year ago.
“I feel like now our team is a lot more bought in,” senior forward Tommisha Lampkin told The Dallas Express at media day. “We’re working on our culture, and it’s growing. We have a good team chemistry, and we all just want to win.”
Burton, a DFW native, looks at the men’s team coming off a program-record 31 wins and its first-ever postseason championship as an example of what his program and the university can become.
“Campus is thriving,” he told The Dallas Express. “You look at what the men are doing right now with their [National Invitation Tournament] run that they just went on, it’s a place that’s ready to win, and it’s a place that’s well-resourced. I get to stay at home and do that, so it’s an exciting time for me and my family.”
Meanwhile, the men’s team is focused on picking up where it left off. Although head coach Grant McCasland has moved on to Texas Tech and several essential players are no longer on the team, Hodge has been part of the coaching staff for six seasons and has some experienced players returning.
“It hasn’t changed much,” Hodge told the media of his team’s approach. “Who we are and what we embrace really hasn’t changed. Being connected, being together, playing through mistakes, [and] playing for each other is kind of what we’ve been about, and that doesn’t really change.”
While the approach and playing style may remain the same, joining a new conference will be an adjustment. Despite being a consistent contender in its former conference, the Mean Green was picked to finish sixth in the AAC media poll. Yet, the team is not allowing that to diminish their expectations.
“Defense wins championships,” junior guard and forward Aaron Scott told the media. “Last year, we were champions. Obviously, it’s good to have the same mentality this year, but we’re also playing faster, and I think playing faster best fits our roster.”
The North Texas men’s basketball team begins the 2023-24 campaign with a home game against Nebraska-Omaha at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, November 11, while the women’s team starts its season against UNT Dallas at 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday, November 6.
