Toreros Face North Texas Amid the Comforts of Home

After two road losses to Big Sky Conference teams, the University of San Diego men’s basketball team is grateful to be home.

Tonight at 7:30, the Toreros (4-4) play host to the University of North Texas. Fifth-year Coach Hank Egan has won 80% (48-12) of his games in the USD Sports Center.

Last week, USD lost at Montana (80-65) and at Nevada Reno (90-68). Against Reno, USD had a season-high 27 turnovers while allowing a season-high number of points (although 90 was the Wolf Pack’s lowest home total this season).

Freshman forward Gylan Dottin, with 22 and 13 points in the two games, leads the Toreros with a 13.0-point average. Junior forward Craig Cottrell is averaging 12.5. Sophomore center Dondi Bell is scoring 10.4 a game and leads the team in rebounding (7.5).

North Texas, of the Southland Conference, finished 17-13 last season, including an 83-65 loss to North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. The Eagles (2-5) have not fared as well this season, despite four returning starters.

Senior guard Deon Hunter leads the offense with 16.3 points per game. Sophomore forward Ronnie Morgan, UNT’s leading rebounder (11.4 per game) and second-leading scorer (15.9), is on academic probation and will not play against USD.

The Eagles are shooting just 37%, averaging 76.1 points per game.