SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 368

WHEREAS, The University of North Texas men's basketball team enjoyed an exceptional 2020-2021 season, winning the Conference USA Tournament championship and securing a place in the school record book by tallying its first victory in the NCAA Division I tournament; and

WHEREAS, The Mean Green made an impressive run through the regular season, setting the stage for its dominant showing at the Conference USA Tournament; UNT bested Middle Tennessee State, Old Dominion, and Louisiana Tech Universities to claim a spot in the title game against Western Kentucky University; the Mean Green took control of that contest in overtime, missing only one shot and sinking a clutch bucket with 13 seconds left to clinch the 61-57 outcome and an automatic NCAA bid; Javion Hamlet was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, and Zachary Simmons was an All-Tournament selection; and

WHEREAS, Making its fourth appearance in the "Big Dance" of the Division I tournament, UNT was seeded 13th and battled 4th-seeded and No. 20-ranked Purdue University in its South Region opener on March 19; excelling in all phases of the game, the Mean Green held their own against the Boilermakers, and the thrilling contest extended into overtime; UNT ultimately launched an 11-0 run in the extra period and iced the game from the free-throw line, triumphing by the final score of 78-69; the stunning upset enabled UNT to advance to the second round of the tournament for the first time in program history and to claim its first win over a Top 25 foe since 1971; and

WHEREAS, Though it ultimately fell short in a hard-fought second-round loss, UNT set a new standard of excellence for the program under the able leadership of head coach Grant McCasland; the team received valuable contributions from each member of the roster over the course of the year, and the Mean Green players were honored on April 8 with the celebration of UNT Men's Basketball Day in Denton; and

WHEREAS, The talented and hardworking members of the University of North Texas men's basketball team have realized an outstanding accomplishment with their historic performance in the NCAA tournament, and in so doing, they have earned the admiration of the entire UNT community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby congratulate the University of North Texas men's basketball team on its exceptional 2020-2021 season and its first win in the NCAA Division I tournament and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the team as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Springer

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 10, 2021.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate