UNT projected starting lineup:
PG: Ryan Woolridge (6-3, Soph.) -- Woolridge handed out nine assists and pulled down six rebounds in UNT's win over South Dakota, but struggled shooting the ball. The sophomore scored five points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field and hit half of his six free throws. Woolridge is averaging 13.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
G: Roosevelt Smart (6-3, Soph.) -- Smart came up with a huge game in UNT's win over South Dakota, hitting seven 3s on his way to scoring 34 points. Smart didn't have the most efficient shooting night from the field while hitting 10 of his 25 attempts, but did make all but one of his eight free throws. He is averaging 19.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
G: Jorden Duffy(6-1, Jr.) -- Duffy hit three 3s in his first start of the season and finished with 19 points in UNT's win over South Dakota. The junior went just 5-for-15 from the field but did go a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Duffy is averaging 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
G: Michael Miller (6-3, Jr.) -- Miller had played just 24 minutes in UNT's last nine games combined before getting a surprise opportunity to start in the Mean Green's win over South Dakota. The junior responded with 19 points and hit all but one of his five 3-point attempts. He was 3-for-23 on the season from behind the arc before breaking out against Coyotes. He is averaging 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
F: Zachary Simmons (6.9, Fr.) -- Simmons came up huge when UNT went to a four-guard lineup in its win over South Dakota. The freshman grabbed 17 rebounds, by far his season high. Simmons also scored nine points against the Coyotes. He is averaging 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Scouting Mercer: The Bears have won nine of their last 10 games and are an experienced postseason team. Mercer has been to the postseason in six of the last seven seasons. The Bears have three players averaging double figures, including senior guard Ria'n Holland, who is averaging 18.5 points per game.
What you need to know: UNT will have a golden opportunity to post what would be another significant win early in Grant McCasland's tenure with the Mean Green when they host Mercer.
UNT hosted the Conference USA tournament a few years ago, but playing in the CBI at home is another matter entirely.
What will be particularly interesting to see on Monday is if the gutsy call McCasland made to change up his lineup late in the year pays off again.
Duffy was hurt most of the year and Miller seemed to be a forgotten man on the bench before McCasland started both against South Dakota. The pair of guards came through with 19 points each and are expected to start against Mercer.
PG: Ryan Woolridge (6-3, Soph.) -- Woolridge handed out nine assists and pulled down six rebounds in UNT's win over South Dakota, but struggled shooting the ball. The sophomore scored five points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field and hit half of his six free throws. Woolridge is averaging 13.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
G: Roosevelt Smart (6-3, Soph.) -- Smart came up with a huge game in UNT's win over South Dakota, hitting seven 3s on his way to scoring 34 points. Smart didn't have the most efficient shooting night from the field while hitting 10 of his 25 attempts, but did make all but one of his eight free throws. He is averaging 19.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
G: Jorden Duffy(6-1, Jr.) -- Duffy hit three 3s in his first start of the season and finished with 19 points in UNT's win over South Dakota. The junior went just 5-for-15 from the field but did go a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Duffy is averaging 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
G: Michael Miller (6-3, Jr.) -- Miller had played just 24 minutes in UNT's last nine games combined before getting a surprise opportunity to start in the Mean Green's win over South Dakota. The junior responded with 19 points and hit all but one of his five 3-point attempts. He was 3-for-23 on the season from behind the arc before breaking out against Coyotes. He is averaging 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
F: Zachary Simmons (6.9, Fr.) -- Simmons came up huge when UNT went to a four-guard lineup in its win over South Dakota. The freshman grabbed 17 rebounds, by far his season high. Simmons also scored nine points against the Coyotes. He is averaging 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Scouting Mercer: The Bears have won nine of their last 10 games and are an experienced postseason team. Mercer has been to the postseason in six of the last seven seasons. The Bears have three players averaging double figures, including senior guard Ria'n Holland, who is averaging 18.5 points per game.
What you need to know: UNT will have a golden opportunity to post what would be another significant win early in Grant McCasland's tenure with the Mean Green when they host Mercer.
UNT hosted the Conference USA tournament a few years ago, but playing in the CBI at home is another matter entirely.
What will be particularly interesting to see on Monday is if the gutsy call McCasland made to change up his lineup late in the year pays off again.
Duffy was hurt most of the year and Miller seemed to be a forgotten man on the bench before McCasland started both against South Dakota. The pair of guards came through with 19 points each and are expected to start against Mercer.
