H.R. No. 1007 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The University of North Texas men's basketball team brought the 2022-2023 season to a triumphant close by winning the National Invitation Tournament; and WHEREAS, Suffering just seven losses all season, UNT went 16-4 against its league rivals but lost in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament to the University of Alabama at Birmingham; the Mean Green rebounded for an easy 69-53 victory over Alcorn State University to open the NIT and followed that up with impressive wins against Sam Houston State and Oklahoma State Universities; in the semifinals, the team defeated the University of Wisconsin 56-54, holding the Badgers scoreless in the final nine minutes of regulation to advance to the championship contest; and WHEREAS, On March 30 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Mean Green players took the floor in a rematch against the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a team they had met twice in the regular season and once in the conference tournament; North Texas opened with a 10-2 run and led by 10 heading into the break; UAB staged a second half comeback, and UNT found itself trailing 53-52; with the title on the line, the Mean Green refused to give in and outscored UAB 16-8 over the final six minutes to take home the crown; the team cut down the nets in celebration of the school's first NIT championship and ended the year with a school record 31 wins; and WHEREAS, UNT was led by Tylor Perry, the NIT Most Outstanding Player, who scored more than 20 points in four of the team's five games, and he was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Kai Huntsberry; the Mean Green also received valuable contributions throughout the year from the other members of the roster: Rasheed Browne, Aaron Scott, Christian Moore, Tyree Eady, Arsh Mattu, Moulaye Sissoko, Rubin Jones, Grayson Allo, Chris Morgan, Matthew Stone, Jayden Martinez, and Abou Ousmane; these dedicated student-athletes were guided by head coach Grant McCasland, associate head coach Ross Hodge, and assistant coaches Matt Braeuer and Achoki Moikobu, with additional support from director of basketball operations Andre Shaw and the entire men's basketball staff; and WHEREAS, The talented and hardworking members of the University of North Texas men's basketball team have realized an outstanding accomplishment by capturing the NIT title, and their achievements are a source of great pride for the university's students, alumni, and fans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the University of North Texas men's basketball team on winning the 2023 National Invitation 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 Mean Green as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Stucky ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1007 was adopted by the House on April 20, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House