Leaderboard

...because that loss to Middle Tennessee completely destroyed us, apparently, giving us our 34th loss in conference this season. http://www.sunbeltsports.org/standings/Standings.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4100&SPID=1825

I swear some people around here have only experienced a race to the Wal Mart beer isle at a sea-level store. Altitude plays a factor. Does it make teams unbeatable? No, but it can be difficult to adjust to. Denver is tough, and their offense is especially tough to come back on.

Further evidence of the SMU conspiracy; I'm sure there are some pink polos in that Belt offices. Mean Green Nation is falling apart. Our world is no longer as we knew it!OMG!!!!!111!eleven!!!!

Look, a lot of things are said at events like Wednesday night, very few of which I take as gospel, especially when in the 2nd year of a new stadium we are playing one OOC home game against a FCS team. Actions will always mean more than words to me. It's clear from Wednesday night that we will be playing LSU. Nothing else about the schedule was addressed. I sincerely hope it changes.

While I did not attend the signing day event I am told that the 2012 schedule was talked about and that we are committed to travel to Houston next year. I realize that we owe them a game but I was hoping that it could be put off for a year or two. They already have two OOC home games scheduled for next year (Louisiana Tech and Texas State) so I don't see the necessity on their part for a return game next year. If they insist then so be it but if we've ever pleaded a case then we need to get on bended knee to Houston. I can live with the Texas Southern game but it would be a lot more palatable if it were not the only out-of-conference home game. If somehow Houston should let us off of the hook for next year my number one choice for a second OOC home game would be Iowa State. They already have two non-conference home games and maybe a date could be worked out. With our coaching staff's connections to ISU I'd hope that would give us some priority. If not, Kansas may be available. Clint Bowen needs to put in a good word for us (if needed). We still need an out-of-conference home game in 2013 but at least there is an opening. In 2014 we won't be so lucky unless by some chance we happen to be in the same conference with Tulsa. Otherwise, they would become the third OOC away game and we would have this same process to repeat. The problem with scheduling Houston is that we have two away games scheduled each year for the next five or so years and the schedule must be reworked to accommodate the Cougars. So if we have to travel to Houston next year we'll have to bite the bullet. Yes, the schedule will be ugly but absolutely necessary. Each one of us is going to double our efforts to attend every home game and still try to encourage others to do the same. Hopefully, we won't allow ourselves to be in this predicament again.

And so the campaign begins for three more years of Tony Mitchell. I must say the ad made me laugh out loud. https://www.facebook.com/Vote4Tony

UTA has been getting a ton of pub leading up to the grand opening of it's new sports facility this week. Here is yet another article. And on the front page of the ST. http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/04/3712144/ut-arlington-and-the-city-join.html

Brent Osborn is the high point of the week for Winter Workout Competition. The Tip of the Spear.

What an awesome thing to hear in the pregame introductions:.."Brian Waters, University of North Texas!!!!". Rick

I was hoping that would happen actually.

There will be four less OOC games next year. The SBC will go from 16 conference games this year to 20 conference games next year. After Denver leaves....every team will play every other team twice. A home and home with everyone in the league.

We usually get it piecemeal until September or so.

People who think the Super Pit is a crappy venue don't get out much. There are tons of D1 programs that play in absolute high school level dumps. If there are better facilities at some programs, that's great, but I'd certainly put the pit in the top quartile of places I've visited.

I'm not saying Vito is a all american beat reporter , but he sure does take a lot of heat for things that go wrong with UNT. It seems to me it's a lot of misplaced anger. UNT has 99 problems and I don't think Vito is 1.

No, UTA and Arlington haven't passed us by...yet. If they pull this off the score will be 1-1. When UTA had football the people of Arlington didn't support them nor did they support basketball on the stage. I hope that they'll come to the university's nice new sports arena but I'll believe that when I see it. The only time that Denton supported North Texas in recent years was the time that the Chamber of Commerce got behind the Baylor game and nearly filled Fouts. I'd like to see something similar as an annual event. TFLF does have a point regarding how UNT is perceived in the eyes of some many. The university needs a campaign to show that the hippie life is but a small subculture of the University of North Texas. Highlight the emerging research program, TAMS, service to the community and athletics as more mainstream facets of the university that can positively affect the city of Denton. Denton is an enigma. A large part of the attraction for Denton is because it is a college town yet it turns around and bites the hand that feeds it. They use the excuse that they have two universities and they have to support them both; yet they wind up giving little support to either.

I like this kid. He's not a qui(t)ter; he's a team player. He will do something great for us the next time he is called upon. Keep up the hard work, Brent. You've got many Mean Green fans pulling for you, kid.

Hire fund raisers who work for a living.

I think you and some others may misunderstand. I believe Coach Mac is right for this situation. This has nothing to do with Coach Mac, other than to just recognize the fact that he has done yet another thing that TD failed miserably at, and that is controlling the beat reporter. And that is said with admiration for Coach Mac's ability to do so. The frustrating part as a fan is that BV is the only source of supposedly unbiased information on UNT football, but ever since Coach Mac came to town, reading BV is no different than reading Meangreensports.com. It shouldn't be that way.

Looks like another strong signing class by Coach Hedlund and more conference championships to come. NT Womens Soccer is the one sport you can always count on to be on top year in and year out.

Listed on espn3!

It gives me great confidence in this coaching staff that they have so easily manipulated the beat reporter for this program. This is a good sign for recruiting going forward. I don't know if it is BV's continued hate for Dodge and the perceived injustices that BV thinks he received during the Dodge era, but his subjective positions are pretty laughable for anyone observing with any type of neutral position. It seriously gives me a lot of faith in this staff.

We control our own destiny here, but it won't be easy ending the season with two road games. We only have to finish in the top five to get a bye to Sunday. Getting the #3 will keep us on the other side of the bracket away from MTSU.

I know we have had some rough patches but 34 losses? Damn.

The replay of this game will be offered on ESPN3 Rick

Bout to watch the ponies play UCF. A couple thoughts. 1)If this game were televised I WOULD be on camera. Either me or one of the other 10 people here. This isn't SMU hate...I'm being totally serious. Diet Coke Boy and I were given two free tickets as we walked up and told "sit anywhere...they won't care." 2)Every single time you step foot in the Super Pit say a little prayer to thank God. We should always acknowledge our blessings. 3)We can't get them on the schedule soon enough. MUTS would beat this squad by 20...and we all know how we would have fared with Jordan and Chris eligible. Again, no hate, just facts.

Here's a little perspective on our often forgotten great player. Anyone remember Charles Haley? Charles Haley In his 12 NFL seasons, Haley recorded 100.5 quarterback sacks, Hardman is the current all-time sack leader for the San Francisco 49ers franchise, recording 120 sacks between 1970 and 1979 and he had 14½ with the Raiders in 1980 and 81 (9½ in 1980) That means that his TOTAL sack count was 134.5 Haley might one day get into the NFL HOF. I guess Hardman's mistake was not getting into numerous altercations with coaches and teammates during this NFL career.

Take our hippity-hoppity and troll other smack boards? comprende? Other "what do we do now" diversions: watch hockey go camping with your family become a muscle-bound behemoth go sky-diving more laid back Sunday afternoon family cruises in the country find a new Mean Green pen pal more outdoor BB's with plenty of brew'skie "Bop bozadee bozadee bop--zitty bop!" (D.L. Roth) GMG!

this is what i find weird...i have yet to say that yet people keep saying that's what i mean...i dont want the team to turn their back on em, i want them to help them through it, but i just dont believe they deserve to act like they are on the team when they are not eligible. that's the last im going to say, i guess its just my pet peeve and how i feel. i also hope they make the grades and join us again next season, i think they are great talents.

To be fair Obama has little to do with the structural deficits that are plaguing Washington right now. There was some massive one off spending that was done at the beginning of his term to put a floor under the nations economy. We were caught up in a negative feedback loop and his (Washingtons) actions did indeed put us back on our feet. That does not mean our revenues miraculously returned back to 2007 levels. So while structural spending has continued its normal ugly trajectory our revenues with 8.3% unemployment are much lower. Not to mention that Obama (and congress) up until this point has only lowered people's taxes further from what were already historically low tax rates. (modern era) Over the last year Obama has publicly supported the largest decrease in structural spending in decades. He just has one caveat which I personally feel is a reasonable one. He wants some added revenue as well. I hate taxes as much or more than the next guy but I also understand our fiscal problems will not be fixed with spending cuts alone. Personally I think they should make the necessary cuts and increase taxes by .005 - 1% across the board on everyone above the poverty line. For the sake of argument. In my lifetime Ronald Reagan ushered in the era of massive deficit spending and Bill Clinton reformed welfare and balanced the budget. (yes congress plays a major roll) So who is a true conservative? Are tax rates alone the only measure of fiscally conservative policy?

Time to stop piling on Jones and Williams. Let's win with what we have. Good job Tony.

It not that i want the team to "turn their backs" or anything like that. i hope they still hang out with the guys during non-basketball times and are studying and going to class with their teamates. i have no problem with them watching the games from the stands of the pit, they can do all the supporting they want. i just feel they do not deserve the PRIVILEGE to wear the warmup's, sit on the bench, be in the timeout's ect...anything basketball related should be taken away untill they have proven they can handle the academic end of school. i want them here, hell i think we are the tourny favorites right now if we had em. i just feel like they dont deserve anything yet they get everything but being in the game. that is a punishment, just not big enough to me. I hope the rest of the team kicks ass and runs the table. Go Mean Green!

Heres an article for yall to read, this isnt were i know my answers but its good for yall to see Quote "I’m not leaving because of the workouts. My grades are good. I’m not in trouble off the field or anything like that. I’m just leaving because I want to play. I’m going somewhere where I can get on the field." http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20110304_92_0_Oklaho473195&r=6302

Good God. Hey, hey guess what.. In the grand scheme of things, none of this matters. It's a whimsical campaign parodying the current race for the White House which also serves as a means to show Tony how much the school and student body care for him - it's freaking transient kitsch, not the bloody Cuban Missile Crisis. God.

If he can hit like Buckles or Jones, people better think Trice before coming over the middle.

Nice street fighter reference. Can he emit enough electricity to power Apogee stadium on game day?

Everybody needs to relax. It's just a marketing campaign to get more students involved and more exposure. I'm certain that North Texas truly wants what's best for Tony whether that means staying longer at UNT or going pro.

I seem to remember Texas doing similar stuff to try and keep Kevin Durant and Vince Young around.

Sure the fault primarily is the players did not do what they should have. No debate. As far as not knowing the facts, I do definitely know that the kids did not meet academic standards. Being that Mitchell's status was known quickly after the semester end, I assume they knew Williams and Jones' status at about the same time. Then I know that JJ continued to play both as if nothing was amiss. I am not sure how any one would not agree with those facts and one assumption. It is my opinion that playing them under these circumstances was poor judgment. If they had a chance for passing through tests and/or work, would it have not make more sense for them to concentrate solely on that mission and not basketball. If they in fact, could not make up the work, I hope that JJ would not sent the wrong message and continue to play them just to eek out a couple of more wins. The only other rationale for playing them is that they could indeed become eligible and the staff thought they were doing so. This points to poor oversight over what they were doing or preparing to meet their obligations and again why would you play them under that circumstance. No I don't know all the facts, but I am too stupid to think of any scenario that changes my mind that this was not poorly handled by the coaching staff and/administration.

The academic staff is there for a reason, also JJ and Coaches should have been doing grade checks, there are what 13-15 players on the team, not 105 like in football so an easy quick check of grades should have brought attention to issues. I am assuming the guys were maybe doing some Wintermester courses to try and stay eligible. I will agree it is on the student-athletes to complete work but the academic support staff and coaches could have easily sat them down and "try to" get them on track.

Still, I wish someone would explain why after the grades were known, the players were still not only allowed to play but got major minutes. Ether they still had an opportunity to pass with additional effort or they didn't. If they still had an opportunity to improve their grades, why were they not benched and given full time to devote to that effort. If they couldn't improve their grades, why were they continued to be played when it was known they would not be around the second semester. This seems to me a horrible decision as it downplays the importance of academics and obviously doesn't prepare the team for the loss of key players. RV may state it is all on the players, but I don't understand why the athletic administration and coaching staff handled it so poorly.

<emphasis mine> What does this mean? So NT used to do this? Did he really say that or is this something lost in translation?

We need to step up the schedule next year, especially if TM sticks around. Would love for us to play overseas this summer, it has done wonders for teams who have done this. Replace the non DI school to open the season with a swac school Replace the swac schools we normally have with teams from the mvc , ovc Do 2 for 1 deals If we have to with BCS schools. Capitalize on next year at all cost Bring in depaul & retire Kenny Lyons jersey in a nice Ceremony Also get into the USVI or puerto Rico tournaments because I've already been given the okay by the wife for a family vacation!

I'm not sure why it's surprising that I brought it up, because that's where the animosity stems from. That's not the only reason, mind you. But if Vito had not taken the National Inquirer-style "report first, ask questions later" approach to it that he did, things might be a lot different between the two sides. Agree--Vito is not UNT's problem. He's his own problem, and the DR-C's.

Maybe because he was basically blackballed by the AD & UNT when he was justifiably critical. Was given very little to no access for telling the truth. He has to get info somehow. It sounds like kissing ass , but I think it's him trying to save his own job. Just my opinion .

angel1972...you said you know both CJ & JW and you make the point that these guys really didn't understand that they were students first and athletes/basketball players second. Where's what blows my mind. Both of these players are team mates of Tony Mitchell. Tony had to sit out an entire year based on his grades and you'd have to be an ostrich not to know it!!! Mr. Mitchell's situation was national news for 2 years along with his journey to get to UNT and play here. Once here many posters on this board questioned whether Mr. Mitchell would even make his grades. I never did because I was confident Mr. Mitchell wasn't going to let this situation affect his current situation at UNT or his future "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" from the NBA. It's sad because Mr. Mitchell's days at UNT in all likelihood are numbered. Hence CJ and JW have blown an opportunity to show case their talents with Mr. Mitchell on the court. This bone headed move might cost each of them 6 to 7 figures in the future. Good to see Alzee, Franklin, Niko and other UNT players not wasting their chance to showcase their BB skills with Mr. Mitchell and the many NBA scout on hand to watch TM's game improve. Opportunity doesn't knock on your door every day and CJ and JW just took a big fat poop on a terrific opportunity presented to them. Hopefully God will somehow give them another opportunity to make wiser choices down the road!!

i think the thin air advantage is pretty sad...otherwise, all mountain teams would be unbeatable at home, in all sports...and we all know that isn't true. denver won because they played better and executed better...simple as that.

Well, Im sure we'll recieve better confirmation about it at the next QUARTERLY meeting? Rick

That is crazy, considering we were told this week for some odd reason at a football event, rather than a basketball event, by our athletic director that the athletic department did everything in their power to keep these boys in line? Rick

MG 93-98...I understand Mr. Mitchell's issues weren't grade issues unless you take into account his math test score on Texas St. TAX test ie 1 point away from passing on math portion of test. Mr. Mitchell's issues were regarding course curriculum that would transfer to Pinkston (sp) HS from God's academy in Fl.. Back to angel1972...I'm very supportive of CJ and JW's for choosing UNT and their commitment to a college education along with their BB career. I'm also supportive of JP in his situation. Just seems all the other players on our roster had the foresight to look at Mr. Mitchell's situation and learn from it. Even the players that are riding the end of JJ's bench. Point is UNT men's BB team would have been much better off if these young players had taken care of business in the class room. In short, sad situation and our young players need to respond in the class room because their actions have affect the whole team, not just them as individuals. No matter the outcome, if these guys are exceptional athletes they're going to have to learn how to accept the criticism of this situation because it's on them. In the future they're probably going to have to learn to endure other criticism that are baseless and that will take even more character. I support this team so much I went out on a limb and guaranteed the team would make March Madness before TM was eligible to play at UNT. I underwent a firestorm of criticism for my opinion even with CJ and JW on the team. I still stand behind my earlier statement about March Madness Berth even without CJ and JW's. This prediction is much more of a long shot now. Go Mean Green!!!