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All good points about why we would be attractive to other conferences (media market, recruiting base, ect) but the reason why we are not being courted right now is because we do not make use of these things. We have a great media market, but how often do you hear about us on the radio? On TV? How about seeing a regular season basketball game on a local channel (other than UNT's station)? We do not use our market that is available. Since we do not use our market, no big donors or businesses are going to want to sponsor us because they will not get any worth while advertising for their money. If UNT is not all over the local media markets, then how can we expect high caliber recruits, who have grown up hearing all about UT, A&M and now TCU, to want to come to UNT? Everyone it tickled pink when they see a 30 second spot on the local news about UNT but I say that should be considered an insult. You want to be in a power conference? Go down to Austin or College Station and watch their local TV, see how often you see any new not related to their universities or teams. Its a total different world and that is what we need to strive for. I know that the front office is trying, I do, and I also know that the rest of the campus still has the mentality that athletics are separate from academics and their programs. UNT as a whole does not realize that the university encompasses everything and that all parts should support each other. If you dont believe me, then go talk to some of the heads of the colleges or depts. All they care about is their small little corner which they have direct control over. Think of it this way, you (future conference) are looking at buy 2 cars. One (UNT) is a 1969 Camaro SS, but it is rusted out and missing parts. The owner says that if you buy it they will try to replace some of what is missing. Then the other (UTEP, just for example) is a 2008 Chevy Malibu, great condition, has everything you need, will be able to be used to pick up other people immediately and has low miles. Which are you going to buy? Yes the Camaro has the potential but it will cost the buyer so much time and money that the investment is not worth it. Unless these things change we will NEVER be in a power conference. NEVER. Period. Sorry for the rant guys, but I bleed my green with a passion and I just want to see UNT grow.

I don't think that you even considered my points. You dismissed them immediately because they were not hopping aboard your own bandwagon. This perfect picture of American ideals that you speak of is a farce. It does not exist in times of war. It never has - and trying to make it exist during this war on terror is why we have struggled. Embedded reporters... Making everyone feel comfy about our mission.... Trying to prove to our own people that we are the "good guy"... That is confusion, misdirection, and bandwagoning - which is fun fun fun... but not reality in times of war. War sucks. My grandfather fought all through the Pacific and was in the first group on Guadacanal. He didn't like to talk about it - but I am learning about what he went through now in the HBO series. It has been so long since we fought a real war that Americans do not feel they need to sacrifice or respect the struggle that comes with war. Killing the enemy is the number one point of war and making that the mission by the Commander in Chief is a quality of leadership, not cowardice.

Lets tap the brakes on assuming Tune is the automatic leader in these categories.

If Emmitt stops calling people quitters, you know what he is? That's right, a QUITTER!!!!!! Quite frankly we don't need that kind of attitude here.

Emmitt's sarcasm was so nuanced that it is easy to see how this thread worked out the way it did.

Try this: Make sure I got the date correct.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/042310dnspodallasclassic.400165e.html Starts Jan. 1, 2011; Big 10 vs. Big 12/CUSA (alternates). No SunBelt option mentioned...

I didn't think it was blasting him, personally. But, obviously everyone is entitled to their opinions. As a season ticket holder, I have seen Ben play. Not much obviously as he didn't get that much time. He's a fine young man from all of the times I've seen him off the court, too. I'm hoping he'll mature into the type of player you're talking about, too. All I was saying is that I'd like to see UNT recruit some high school graduates in addition to or instead of mostly JUCO transfers. Just my opinion.

I had posted this information on another thread, but talking about Tier 1 and the Big 12, I found it interesting how most of the BCS auto bid conferences have Tier 1 or 2 universities as members. Big Ten – all members of the Association of American Universities and all are Tier 1. PAC Ten – 7 are members of the Association of American Universities and all but 1 is either Tier 1 or 2. Big 12 – 7 are members of the Association of American Universities and 9 are Tier 1 or 2. ACC – 5 are members of the Association of American Universities and all are Tier 1 or 2. SEC – 2 are members of the Association of American Universities and all but 3 are Tier 1 or 2. Big East – 3 are members of the Association of American Universities and half are either Tier 1 or 2. Non BCS auto bid conferences: C-USA – 2 are members of the Association of American Universities and most are Tier 3 or 4. MAC – none are members of the Association of American Universities and most are tier 3 or 4. MWC - none are members of the Association of American Universities and universities range from Tier 1 to 3. WAC - none are members of the Association of American Universities most are Tier 3 or 4. Sun Belt - none are members of the Association of American Universities and most are Tier 4. Bottom line for getting an invite to another conference is what can you bring to the table? Winning athletic teams and the media market they are located in are not enough. I believe academics play a large role in the decision. The university presidents make the decision not the coaches. A large majority of the universities who are members of a BCS auto bid conference are Tier 1 or 2. Also, out of the 63 universities who are members of the Association of American Universities, and play in one of the conferences listed above, only 2 universities are not members of a BCS auto bid conference. Tulane and Rice. I hope and pray our next president is willing to fight for Tier 1 status and not just be a “yes man” to you know who!

OK having just seen this I am in since you still seem to need players. The only thing that could prevent me from playing is if there is a rescheduled baseball game that day for one of my kids. In that case I would still be happy to get the shirt. Name - Army of Dad T-shirt size - XL Height - Listed as 6' but really 5' 10" Weight - about 35 pounds more than what I played at 40 speed - I can't chug a 12 ounce beer, I have no chance at a 40. Age - 33 I still think my high school coach was full of it, I do have good hands. I will likely be playing in front of my kids and therefore trying not to curse or play poorly.

The inequity of the T.V. revenue within the Big12 should have the conference worried about its ability to keep its current members, and attract new ones. Its ability to replace members, with quality schools, will be challenging because most quality universities will also be courted by other conferences, with better systems for sharing revenue. The question is will Texas be willing to concede a share of its very profitable T.V. revenue for the greater good of the conference? I don't think so.

Please explain how that is ridiculous? A lot of folks who live in the Big XII geography are disillusioned and believe the Big XII is on par with the Big 10, SEC, and PAC 10 when it comes to conferences. It's staggering how un-real that truly is, and this article is somewhat of a testament to that.

Florida State and Miami will never be in the SEC. Florida has so much power (a lot of the public has no idea about this) in that state and conference that they will not allow that to happen.

Great point! Texas and Oklahoma would not be happy with their results on the football field going to the SEC. They'd be in the upper half of the conference, but not at the very top year in and year out like they are in the Big XII. On that note, hopefully Nebraska continues to be on the up and up and improve the league.

Davis optioned to OKC. Time to Smoak out!!

They may come after them, but that doesn't mean they'd leave. Texas is more than a football school and they've made it clear they want to maintain their academic profile on all fronts, including conference affiliation. The Big 10 is comprised of AAU schools. The SEC has a couple good ones (UF, Vandy, Alabama) and a host of mediocrity. I guess I'm just not sure what OU and UT have to gain by going to a more difficult conference with lower academic standards when they pretty much just switch off every other year playing for the national title by being in the Big 12, which is really the Big 2 and 10 friends.

If the Mavs don't win game two by 30 then Carlisle should be fired and left for dead on the side of I35.

If Mays sacks Kevin Kolb twice in the same game, would that change your mind?

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, I think the only way they get Bryant is if they trade up. He's a top 10 talent, and there will definitely be a team in the early 20's who will pick him up if he is still there.

Thanks to you all. I really appreciate. Go Mean Green!

First of all, Scott Hall? How about Andrew Smith? And ask Vizza if he lacked any confidence when he first stepped onto the field in Norman. I think a more objective question might be, did the players not look up to Jamario going into his soph year? I do not mean to discredit whatever experiences you have, but only wish that people would stop assuming whatever they lived and went through automatically applies to any similar situation. I like to think that both QBs have made the most of their opportunities. Tune has the edge in age, but after that I just don't totally agree that the gap is that wide. Based on what I saw last season (and hoping their is carryover into this year), it would not surprise me at all if DT took the job in 2010. Best wishes to both of them and the staff. 2010. God help us. *cough* I mean, Go Mean Green!

Happy Birthday John you old Buzzard! See you at Tailgating, Tony

10% ?

What is the going rate He charges for naming rights?

Oh, here's a story of a quitter who finally got it right, on his fourth try, at a place now called UNT. Don January story in DRC By the way, I thought from watching the spring game that his grandson, Sean, looked like a good pickup at linebacker; I bet Don had a little to do with that decision.

Ahhh, the off season is upon us. Welcome to the summer doldrums.

The only thing worse than a quitter? Someone who quits at quitting.

I see your -1 and raise you a +1 AND a rusty trombone.

YAWN -- thread to thread, begging for someone to finally notice you. If it helps, I gave you a +1. Now, let's not clutter the board with interpersonal bullshit, okay?

I'd welcome them both. Also, the "quitters" thing needs to die. These guys don't get "four year rides" like most casual fans believe. Their scholarships are either renewed each year or not. Coaches go into these kids' homes and do their sell job on them. If the thing isn't working out and a kid is sitting on the bench, he's just as much in his right to move on as the athletic department is to not renew his scholarship. And, don't kid yourself, sometimes a coach will keep guys sidelined hoping they will leave, for whatver reason. Ask former players and their parents. It's a business in the 21st century and a kid's only got five years. If whatever the coach sold him isn't what is happening in reality, or the kid just isn't living up to the hype, it's fine for him to leave - it's a two-way street.

OOps! Army of Mom, I'm surprised the die-hards here did not give you a free pass for this first-time offense. Lesson learned: Don't mess with the Fort Knox!

Your math is correct, in essence JJ is replacing his loses in kind, two wings, one post. The problem I have though is that I would rate every guard on the squad higher than the second front court player. The guard position is loaded with experience, potential and talent. After Odufuwa, there is potential in the front court; but little more than that. Hogans has shown great hustle but as a sophomore was not close to starter quality. Spencer is a good rebounder and did slim down and improve his quickness, but has little offensive game. Holmen is loaded with potential but played behind Spencer last year because of poor shoot selection and below average rebounding and defense. Edwards is an unknown coming off a questionable juco year. Knox has upside because of his height but is a work in progress and didn't show anything last year.

I tend to agree. I would rather see JJ get another big man. Don't we have enough guards? No offense to Knox, but he's another clumsy tall white guy ala Justin Howerton. What do we have? George Odufuwa, Kedrick Hogans, Cam Spencer, Jacob Holmon ... three, four guys? What happens when they get in foul trouble? Then we put the clumsy guy in? I don't like it. I also think we need some freshmen to use those scholarships on.

Name: Mrs.GreenGoblin Size- S or M Height- 5'4" Weight- (women never admit their true weight) Age- 30, the only reason you are getting this one is because it's on my profile 40- What's that? J/K I am still pretty fast in short bursts....very short bursts. Didn't seem to have a problem keeping up last year. This is my 3rd bowl game. I played for the winning team last year and will be this year too. Hopefully we can get a few more girls to sign up this year so I won't be the only one again.

Students don't support athletics, so we don't support students.

The impossible is what nobody can do, until somebody does it. I don't know who said it first, I've seen many attributions (of couse, Hornfans.com would claim that Darrell Royal said it. At that site, they attribute everything from 'Let There Be Light' to 'It's A Quarter After One, I'm A Little Drunk, and I Need You Now' to him). Anyway, it's a good little saying. Many people would say it's impossible for us to win the Sun Belt this year, but I sez otherwise! Also, I'm going to put it here at my desk so I can see it while I'm wrangling with underwriters who forget why their insurance companies exist.

No kidding. Just imagine what will happen if we eliminate turnovers, focus on scoring in the red zone, play to win, take it one game at a time, manage the clock correctly and win the special teams battle. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say good things will happen if we take care of those things.

I heard it attributed to Coach Jones' mentor - Dale Brown.

Would you "kindly" stay out of this thread unless you're going to take it a little more seriously?

Potty mouth! -1 for you, Sir, children are reading!

And 6'8" 245 Alonzo Edwards. The roster has 6 bigs and 7 guards...this team plays 2 bigs and 3 guards at a time. By these numbers were actually deeper up front...plus 4 of them will be back in 11-12, whereas without Carmouche there'd be only 2 guards. Bring in a freshman and you're going to be counting on a sophomore to be a significant part of the 11-12 team.

Make no mistake. Ian Kinsler loves the fact he hit 30 bombs last season. With the surge of power at the position throughout the league, he feels that he needs to keep up in order to demand Chase Utley money down the road. I hope he will be more of a team guy when is healthy, but I expect another parade of flyouts in 2010. Wash batting him 6th will not discourage his crap approach.

Willing to bet money the Rangers get swept today. Facing another Lefty in Andy Petite. This offense sucks period, even worse against southpaws. Prove me wrong Rangers....prove me wrong.

It's because people hate you.

Agreed. We need to sign at least 3 more 7 footers. Why does JJ keep signing short people?

First of all, not a chance in hell of that happening. There's only one bamf capable of that kind of feat. Secondly, again I ask will those not interested in "discussing" the cowboys draft please keep your funny remarks to yourselves. Trying to keep this thread on topic is like "wrangling goats."

Hey, SUMG...happy birthday, pal. You made it to another year in what I hope will be a very long and happy string of birthdays. Happy Birthday to a long-time and very loyal member of the MEAN GREEN NATION! It's YOUR DAY...you own it...make it a great one! Mark

I said this over a year ago, but I think this team has a legit shot at winning the Belt. The main thing that this squad is gonna have to do and do early is learn how to win. We were in alot of games last year that we should've won but didn't. You never know what can happen if you get the ball rolling early and build some momentum.

Vicious! I always love when someone prefaces his statement with "no offense, but" type statement, you know someone is about to get blasted. You didn't think labeling someone a "clumsy , tall white guy' would get some reaction? Have you seen Knox play? He is tall and white but I think he moves well for a 6'10 player and has a good stroke. FYI, I have no relationship with Knox, at all. I do know that seldom does a team like NT get a legit ready to play 6' 10 player out of high school. Those types go to the Dukes, UT's or directly to the pros. You will notice that it is common for teams to recruit players like this in hopes that they will mature into players and the benches are full of them. The reason is, if that player does develop then you have a player that could be a real difference-maker for your program. I saw enough out of Knox last year to believe that he could be more than just a role player for NT in the future. There are a lot of people salivating about Morgan coming here, his record thus far in college is not significantly better than Knox and he was a five star can't miss player out of high school. Yes, I know there is a difference in playing in the PAC 10 and Belt, but you are now dealing with potential with both players.