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he is just reporting a rumor, which at this point is all this is. my observation over the years is when it is a fact, then you can count on Vito to report it. personally i think Vito does a good job, but just an old man's opinion.

Rick will be kissing his Karen Aston centerfold tonight.

I HATE how the Talons get the first two rows on the 50 yd line and just sit there most the time. Apparently they aren't allowed to heckle the opposing team?!? Then move the heck out of the way!

Based purely on my speculative opinion of his non-verbal behavior, he will not be back. Of course, I truly hope I am 100% wrong.

http://www.uabsports.com/sports/w-svolley/recaps/030312aaa.html

It's interesting how the content of the rumor determines how valid it's perceived to be. If a rumor that SFA & Abilene Christian were being invited to the 'Belt was being reported by these same sources, I imagine it would be discounted as false immediately. I, for one, appreciate Vito's committment to reporting solid intel only.

I truely believe there have been secret talks with Rick, the Conference USA?Aliance people behind the scenes. The Aliance personel have been and toured the University I guess in an undercover mode since very few people saw them. Supposidly it was between 10-20 people so how could that have been missed. I believe we are already offered a place in the super conference and are just biding our time until it is announced. Just remember Southern Miss and Rick Villareal have a long past history, therefore, we have a inside with them. Also, it is known that Rice and UTEP want someone else in Texas to be a short travel distance (Who else fits that bill better than North Texas). I farther believe that Brett knows more than he is telling becasue he is sworn to secrecy and is afraid he won't be given any more inside info if he talks or lets it be known. There are just too many roumors out there for there not to be something to this. The superconference has to have someone in the Dallas Market especially since the league office is in Irving (Las Colinas). It would be a farce to have the league office there and there not to be a team in the area. I think there is one other thing we haven't thought a lot about with this coming. I think we will end up with a better class and higher efficiency bunch of football and basketball referees. We alwauys complain about the poor officiating in our league. I have watched some conference USA games on T V and it seems the class of officiating is just a notch higher in that league. Only time will tell, but I would nearly make a wager come May North Texas will be in a new league. Why else would the conference officials be talking to us yesterday in private trying to head something off at the pass before it happened. North Texas is gone, yes gone to the Conference USA with teams we will be able to create rivalries with such as UTEP and Rice. GO NORTH TEXAS .............. GO MEAN GREAN HOW ABOUT IT THERE IN DALLAS ......If you read this you know who I am talking to.

When you reserve the first two rows on the 50 in the student section and you don't yell or heckle, yes, I'm going to complain about it. There are a lot more "vocal" students who could put those seats to good use.

Um, he'll be back. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who heard Tony say he'll be back. They also saw Alzee pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

Heck, it sounded like a fairly positive slant from someone I certainly don't consider a Mean Green "homer".

New SBC commish said departures were "not imminent" but also it's a compliment to SBC if schools move on. I'm not convinced UNT/FIU staying http://twitter.com/#!/adamsparks

Obama Launches African Americans For Obama This is the most racist president.....ever! Can you imagine the outcry if a Republican, heck, even a Democrat running against obama, were to launch Caucasian Americans for Anybody But Obama?

On the way home, we hit an accident on the interstate. Like all lanes closed, 20 cop cars, fire trucks everywhere, everyone had to drive over the grass shoulder to the service road kind of accident. I drove past a car that was so wrecked, my initial thought was that the driver was surely dead. The car was so smashed, that since the driver side door hadn't been cut off, the dead driver must surely have still been inside. Then I notice the faint remnants of paint on the side of the car and realized it was a cop car. About two hundred yards in front of that was an upside down minivan. I have never even seen a picture of such carnage. I am a little shaken up for having witnessed such a thing. This helps explain to me why I perceive police as being so tense all the time. Every day when you go to work, this kind of thing can happen. I can't imagine what was going through the minds of the Carrollton police working the scene with one of their own as the casualty. I don't think I'm going to sleep anytime soon tonight.

Heard he was in the hospital. Anyone that knows Rick personally care to confirm this?

(interesting excerpts from an article in B's R 2 years ago) Play in a Weak Conference Whether you are trying to build your program or you are an existing, tradition-rich team, your first move should be to get involved in the weakest conference you can find. Be sure to avoid playing in a BCS—or "elite"—conference so you stand no chance of being beaten by much tougher competition than you will face in your chosen, pathetic conference. Head off complaints from other programs, experts and fans that you do not play anyone by making sure to schedule a game or two out of conference each season against teams from the elite ranks that are no better than middle-of-the-pack contenders or lower in the much stronger conferences. Do not forget to claim that no one wants to play you in an effort to deflect attention away from the fact that you will play 10 or 11 cupcake games the rest of the season. You might even consider going independent and playing whomever you want to week after week. Then the claim that your conference is weak would not apply, and you could simply default to saying no one will play you. When asked who is turning you down, stick to subterfuge and cloak-and-dagger tactics by saying that you will not name any specific programs "out of respect" for those teams. Do not, under any circumstances, schedule a larger number of "elite" teams than necessary (one) to "legitimize" your competition level. This could result in more losses than intended and keep you out of the big game. For reference, see Notre Dame. Undefeated Is Undefeated After following step one, it is likely that people will begin to point out that you are only playing "Pop Warner" teams every game. Laugh them all off and point out that you played Louisville or Oregon State (i.e. middle-of-the-pack contenders or lower) in Week 3 of the season, and that should more than make up for playing teams that amount to no more than New Mexico State the other 11 games. If this excuse does not work, remember to claim no one will play you. This is your mantra. Never forget it. Regardless of how ridiculously poor the competition level you face every week is, just be certain that you win every game by a solid margin. You absolutely do not want a team like Idaho State sneaking up on you while you are prepping for your next tough opponent like San Diego State. And winning every game should be enough for the rest of the nation. Sure elite teams will be playing Top 25 teams for as many as half their games each season, but undefeated is undefeated even if you do it against "powerhouses" like UNLV. Besides, playing perceived weak teams for 95 percent of your season will keep your team fresh since they will not have to endure the weekly pounding from much stiffer competition like everyone else. Complain to the US Government Eventually, no matter what you do—no matter how closely you follow this recipe for success—there will be those that see your supposed accomplishments as less than deserving of the merit you so desperately want. So when beating the snot out of lollipop teams like San Jose State 11 games a year and sprinkling the occasional perennial underachiever like Oregon State in for flavor does not get the rest of the nation to agree that you should be viewed as deserving of national title consideration, write your local congressman or senator. Ask them to appeal to the current administration and force the "establishment" to allow you to compete against them in the title game even though you do not compete against them all season long and instead opt for an Idaho high school slate. Remember, your team should be quite fresh having played 10 or 11 scout teams while the elites should be roughed up quite a bit after playing their own much tougher schedules. Since you will only have to win this one difficult game against a team that has been softened up for you, finish them off on a neutral field and you will have a great shot at winning it all. If you can pull off this small but significant feat—at least in your own eyes—the rest of the nation has no choice but to welcome you as a powerhouse program, do they not? So there you have it. You too can change your program from an anonymous nobody to a legitimate national title contender by following these few simple steps. So if you are an aspiring up-and-comer or a struggling former title contender, this easy recipe for success should be exactly what you are looking for. It has worked for the Boise State Broncos and it can work for you, too. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/493666-boise-state-formula-for-success-and-a-shot-at-a-bcs-title

Down by 3 at half. Beat Witchita St yesterday.

Begs the question, is Aston free game to question her coaching prowess (unjustifiably) the way some constantly take digs at JJ (equally unfairly). Something about a goose and a gander.

Don't want to get too wordy, but wanted to update you on the Jr. day. My son attended and we attended with him. We got to tour the facilities to include the locker rooms, meeting rooms, dorms, cafe, stadium (got to walk on the field) and the press box. We got to meet Coach McCarney, and the area recruiting coach, and the position coach. First of all, everyone should be very proud of the facilities. They are really fantastic and will go a long way to allowing Coach Mac to build the program. Second, the coaches are first class and they really believe in what they are doing. They are great salesman for the university and the football program and they are clearly all in building the program. Coach Mac, when he spoke, said that the days of people making fun of the program are over. This past year, the teams they played weren't laughing even though they didn't win every game. It was a great experience and I am hopeful my son gets a chance to play for the Mean Green.

Maybe he's moving it southeast for more geopraphical balance, because he knows that the conference is losing it's two northwestern most members? Ya think?

I noticed on the box score that Arkansas State shot 38 free throws vs 9 for FAU. South Alabama shot 36 free throws vs 19 for Troy. Those numbers give me some concern.

It appears they're actually not allowed to cheer at all.

I do to, wardly.

Hell yes

My kids get a goofy smirk on their faces when they tell a fib. My guess is that Chrisfisher is referring to the smirk Tony had when he said he'd probably be back. I hope he's reading too much into it.

Interesting that the Muts sports writer seems to be more on top of what's happening than Vito.

You guys on this board can be really weird sometimes, there will never be any satisfying you guys...we have a rare guaranteed win vs. TSU and then a nationally televised game at Apogee, then on top of that easy drives to Houston and Monroe. Oh and its not like Kstate is not beatable. I just don't get you all.

Where there's smoke, there's at least the potential of fire.

Brett Vito looks like he's the son of Fredo.

Not to start a new conspiracy theory, but has anyone seen these two together in the same place at the same time?

PA announcer Tim Crouch made the announcement at the MUTS game that there would be a post game concert after the spring game.

I'm assuming he's going to leave because he has an opportunity to get scouts' interest and has a chance to go to the NBA. You get very few chances and sure he may not be a high pick or first round at that but if the buzz is around that he'll go in the 2nd round then that is still pretty decent money and I wouldn't fault him one bit for taking on that opportunity.

Every night class should be required to be at this game. Then add every dorm resident with nothing else to do.

@Dewey_the_Bear The Official Bear of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament

How have you been here this long and still can't follow the bits?

If Tony stays another year and CJ,JW are able to make it back to the team, add in Odoh and Overlander, this team is a top 25 team. The way Alzee has played this season....I'm getting excited already. But first things first, Sun Belt Tourny Time!!!

WE got cheated last year on home games on TV. Channel 21 needs to step up and show a UNT home game.

Got a mixed feeling on this one. It takes more force to fire someone at UNT than it does to move a mountain. That's good if someone does well with their work but has some terrible co-workers or superiors who want to politick them out of a job. However, it's bad when someone is horrible at their job and is making their co-workers pull slack for them. So if it makes it easier to cut chaff, then I'm for this as long as it also allows more than solid protection against office politicking. I saw that in the corporate world and it's ugly. Really, really ugly.

This thread is completely pathetic and you guys are so out of touch it's not even funny. You may be a bunch of whiny people who can't ask off for a Tuesday night game a year in advance, but most will and WILL BE incredibly excited that we're on ESPN. Enough with the bitching. Seriously. Having 5 games sucks but it's an easily winnable schedule. 7+ wins are EXPECTED. People will show up. Knowing that we don't suck this year, fans will come. It's not like before. When we were good before, it was because "Oh, the Sun Belt sucks, who cares? Our stadium is a dump." People will show up. Get rid of the bad FAU and MTSU weather, you have a really good attendance yearly average. Look what winning does: see ULL.

I hate this schedule, but I will be at every game, with the rowdies in 208, no matter what day or time we play and no matter who the opponent is.

Free Throw disparity is not at all indicative of poor officiating. You can't look at a box score and determine if the officials are poor. Aggressive teams are going to shoot a lot of free throws and jumpshooting teams are not. I'm not saying these officials were good, because I didn't watch the games, but I am saying that you cannot make that judgment unless you see the games for yourself.

bc you said something negative, if its not positive people -1 you for no reason... there +3 for honesty

So, we're now complaining about people actually at the game? How about this: let's hold off on complaining about people's cheering style until it becomes a struggle to find a decent seat?

That's part of it... I hope I am not reading too much either.

I said I hope I am 100% wrong. Why does everyone have -1 me?

Vito is on this, but isn't going to report anything until there is something concrete to report...expect something soon

South AL should be a win and its always a positive to play the best teams in your conference(outside of WKU) AT HOME vs. on the road...yeah i don't get you guys sometimes...

This tweet was generated at 1pm today. Me thinks his "source" for this rumor is this very thread.

time to get over the effing schedule and either do something about it or just enjoy it as best you can. seven effing pages of bitching...enough!!! take advantage of the five games that we do get and make a road game or two if you aren't happy...damn...

---In a travel book I was reading last week[ DK Eyewitness Travel... a well known series ]. It stated that Italy had the lowest birth rate in Europe.... hmmmm.... The Pope lives in Rome (Vatican City) ....obviously a lot of those Italians (and Catholics) are not following the Pope's mandate about opposing contraception.. either that or those hot-blooded Italian men aren't as advertised (which having been there several times.. I know isn't true..) They pursue about any woman... had to run several off from female-students that were traveling with me. Also remember their Bunga-Bunga President recently??? --Pretty much the Catholic outrage is from the priests not their general public... and they have other worse problems they need to address. Perhaps it is those guys that need to be excommunicated... They even tossed Galileo out for saying the Earth revolved around the Sun...instead of that we were the center of the universe.. Sometimes they are wrong.