HUNTINGTON -- After struggling for the first 35 minutes of the season-opening 67-65 win over Appalachian State on Friday, Marshall coach Royce Chadwick wants his team to get mean.

And they will need to if they are going to defeat the North Texas Mean Green in Monday's 7 p.m. home opener at the Cam Henderson Center.

"This is their opening game of the year and I know they will be hungry with a new coach, hungry players and a lot of talent returning," Chadwick said. "We need to come out strong."

While Marshall has a game under its belt, the Mean Green will be making their first regular season appearance of the season.

The Herd is familiar with the Mean Green after playing them in Denton, Texas last season. Many of the players return, but the team will have a different look this year on the sidelines with new head coach Shanice Stephens at the helm.

"We don't know much about them, don't have any tapes," Chadwick said. "All we have is player tendencies from last season. It will be an adjustment on the fly for us."

In last year's contest, Marshall came away with an 82-70 win after building a large halftime lead and taking the crowd out of the game.

With North Texas having 75 percent of its scoring back from last season, Chadwick wants to make sure that his team doesn't allow the Mean Green to return the favor this year.

Marshall (1-0) allowed Appalachian State to jump out to a halftime lead that held up until the Herd made a run over the final 2:30 to come away with the win.

In that game, the veterans carried the team by stepping up in crunch time.

"All of the experienced players played with a purpose during the second-half run," Chadwick said.

Whether it was Alix Barnette's five points late, Casey Baker's three steals or the hustle plays of Tynikki Crook, Alyssa Hammond and Chantelle Handy, Chadwick said all his veterans contributed in the final minutes - something he expected all along as the younger players get acclimated to the game.

"The returnees can get out there and react to what's going on around them," Chadwick said. "With younger players, it takes them longer to recognize what's going on. Then they are a step slow and late reacting."

Even though the game is on the road, Chadwick said the sixth man - those who took the fan bus down to Boone, N.C. - got the Herd pumped up down the stretch against Appalachian State. He wants to see them in full force once again in the friendly confines of the Henderson Center.

"I know they inspired our players," Chadwick said. "Without those fans behind us in the final four minutes, I don't think we have the energy to make a comeback."

North Texas senior Amber Jackson is the catalyst for the Mean Green. Jackson led the team in scoring and rebounds last season. She also had 18 points against Marshall last year.

Jackson will be joined by Brittney James and Jo Hall on the offensive end for North Texas.

AP Video