THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University basketball team faces 11 straight days on the road, beginning with a matchup against North Texas at 7 p.m. on Monday in Denton.
 
The Colonels (3-4) have had an up-and-down start to the 2015-16 season, and are coming off of a tough loss to Mountain West Conference favorite, San Diego State. Nicholls is undefeated in Thibodaux this year, but has faltered outside of Stopher Gym. The Colonels will look to pick up their first road-win of the season against the struggling Mean Green (2-7).
 
North Texas registered dominant victories against Jarvis Christian and Texas College to open the year, but have since lost seven consecutive games. Most recently, the Mean Green played a two-game home-and-away series with Southern Illinois, dropping both contests.
 
Last season on Nov. 17, North Texas protected its home court against Nicholls, earning a 71-57 win at The Super Pit.
 
The Colonels have shown improvement since last year's meeting, particularly on the defensive end. A gritty, but disciplined squad, Nicholls ranks 36^th nationally in turnovers forced and 70^th in three-point field goal percentage defense. Even more impressive is that the Colonels have managed to stay aggressive on the defensive end while keeping out of foul trouble. Nicholls ranks first in the Southland Conference and 76^th in the nation in fewest fouls.
 
The Mean Green have had issues defensively, but boast an improved offense since last season. North Texas won't wow anyone with its 95^th ranked scoring offense, but UNT is an efficient offensive machine. The Mean Green shoot 48.9% from the floor as a team, good for 28^th in the country.
 
Ja'Dante' Frye leads the Colonels in average points (20.1), rebounds (7.3) and steals (1.4). Frye is coming off of his second double-double of the season and is currently in the top five in the Southland Conference in 10 different categories. Schane Rillieux averages a team-high 2.9 assists and Liam Thomas has totaled nine blocks this year. T.J. Carpenter is second on the team in points (11.9), rebounds (4.9) and assists (2.3). Luka Kamber and Johnathan Bell each average 8.1 points.
 
Jeremy Combs and J-Mychal Reese spearhead the North Texas attack. Combs averages 13.5 points and 8.3 boards, while Reese averages 13.5 points and 3.6 assists.
 
Following Monday's game, Nicholls will head to Dallas for a date with No. 19 SMU. The Colonels will face the undefeated Mustangs at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, live on ESPN3.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.