Leaderboard

Off the CUSA board. Posted today by MinerInWisconsin http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=565091 UT System BOR approval for UTEP conference change 2/24/12 I was checking for the agenda for the BOR meeting this Thursday since it has been speculated that UTSA athletics might be on the agenda. The agenda was just posted and nothing on it related to athletics at all. The minutes of the Feb 24 meeting are interesting though. UTEP received approval to be part of the formation of a new conference. Similar to what the UAB approval was, I'm sure. In this case the UTEP president specifically mentions replacing the DFW market with new additions and also associating UTEP with the western schools along with an expected increase in TV revenue. Here is an excerpt from the minutes: "Dr. Natalicio discussed the expected revenue growth, primarily due to an enhanced television contract, and increased stability in conference membership as the result of joining with institutions in the Mountain West Conference and the Conference USA to form a new athletic conference. She noted a downside of the transaction has already occurred with the departure of Southern Methodist University and the University of Houston from Conference USA, which took U. T. El Paso out of the Dallas television market and partially out of the Houston media market. She noted these media markets, especially the Dallas market, might return with the addition of new members to the conference. Dr. Natalicio discussed the expected reduction in team travel costs and travel time for students if U. T. El Paso joins the western division of the new athletic conference. She spoke about the enthusiasm of fans and the support of the local community for a new conference and about the hope for competition and stability to allow new and old rivalries to flourish." This post has been promoted to an article

Something like this...

Highlights increase in BCS AQs playing FCS more these days: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=mh-huguenin_college_football_schedule_overview_040912 Notes two or three times that Texas Tech, for the seventh year in a row, plays no BCS AQs in their out of conference schedule. Not taking the easy way out: Louisiana Tech and SMU, both playing three BCS AQs. Teams with EIGHT home games in 2012: Arizona, LSU, Ohio State, and South Carolina. Wow. I'm all for more home games...even if it means we have to play down to FCS. I still like the idea of an annual game versus an HBC. We can talk all we want about playing up. But, frankly, we need to win consistently before we go crazy. Kansas State spent years focusing on getting winnable home games in September before they stepped out and began home and home with USC and others. When you're small and your success is broken or spotty, as our is and K-State's was, you've got to do yourselves some favors in scheduling. For the most part, I think Rick's done that. K-State proved you don't have to let bigger programs beat the hell out of you to succeed. And, they incubated in the pre-BCS days as well, so they weren't getting money based on league bowl participation. We're in the same kind of boat. K-State made their own success on the field; we will have to do the same.

Looks like Mr. Brown has not visited any UNT fan boards, or he would know that Johnny is a horrible in-game coach who has basically lucked into good recruits, but doesn't know what to do with them.

2008. The last time I played ncca college basketball on xbox

Who reads BOR minutes? Great find.

http://www.searchingforbillyedelin.com/2012/4/9/2937279/tony-mitchell-north-texas-sophomore-season

I'm sure KFC can find other things to give away, they'll be fine.

His winning percentage was nearly 2 1/2 times better than what we had to endure at Fouts.

If the two of them were to have a child, it would be the coaching antichrist.

Maybe they we're too embarrassed to hear about all their 'milestones from this season...

Maybe they were just protesting the terrible speaker...

Add that to a horrible football stadium and you have a great program destined to join a conference that is far superior to the belt.

Putting the issue of JJ to the side -- I have a really big problem if a coach who is at a school that looks like it is going to be facing NCAA penalties can just move on to another school. IMO, if a school chooses to take on a coach who is part of an on-going NCAA investigation they should be subject to some penalty if the coach if found guilty.

You want to give JJ a third contract in three years? He has signed for six more years remaining on a seven year contract with a beginning base of 450K. Frankly as in the case of Aston, contracts only tie up one party and NT frankly doesn't have enough money to thwart Jones from leaving if he gets a offer from one of the bigs particularly LSU. Jones is not underpaid for a top level Belt coach particularly one who was 9-7 in conference last year. I am excited to see what JJ can do with a full year of Mitchell and hopefully his cohorts back on the team, but lets not break the bank before he actually does something to merit another increase.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-state/georgia-state-ready-for-1411838.html "Finances played into the timing. Georgia State must pay an exit fee of at least $250,000 to leave the CAA. The conference is scheduled to vote on Tuesday whether to increase the exit fee to $1 million, which sped up negotiations. Levick said Georgia State will not participate in Tuesday's vote. There also will be a $300,000 entry fee to join the Sun Belt." The SBC made the move to save GA State $750k.

Don't forget free throws. Maybe Josh could come back as the free throw coach.

Look, we stormed the field after we beat a horrible Indiana program last year. Yes, we did. And, I proudly took my wife and kids over the wall with me. This program...these players...need good experiences to build upon. We can't suck for a couple of season like OU and Texas in the mid- late-90s, but still have good athletes coming in that a bona coach can use immediately (Mack Brown inheriting Ricky Williams and Major Applewhite; Bob Stoops inheriting Roy Williams and Rocky Calmus). We need wins. The team needs wins. We needed to pound Middle Tennessee like we did. We need to beat Texas State. "Coming close" against Kansas State and Houston...what does that do? A loss is a loss. We've "hung in there for a half" and "come close" before. The edge is a winning attitude sometimes. But, you don't get a winning attitude by losing.

Yes, but being in the Sun Belt...getting to bowl eligibility should not be a problem. We don't have a steep climb in the Belt. K-State fought in a Big Eight with Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas (with Glen Mason making them a Top 10 program). Our fight to six wins shouldn't be difficult. We almost had five last year with many injuries and inexperience. If we can't go at least 5-3 in the Sun Belt every year, why are we even fielding a program? This is the worst conference competitively for football in FBS. We really have no excuse for not winning at least five in the Belt a year. Dickey - not interested enough, maybe. Dodge - not qualified enough, maybe. McCarney...there is no excuse for him. He's been in much tougher environments his entire career. Two FCS games shouldn't kill us bowl-wise as long as we're in the Belt. I don't accept that. This is the perfect conference to incubate a winner in. We should be become here what Boise State became in the WAC.

This is the kind of chatter that can pay recruiting dividends going forward. Just imagine what this could do after a successful season next year for recruiting and for the future of Mean green basketball...WOW...I would expect UNT to see bigger crowds and increased season ticket sales beginning this next season. Thank you Tony and all the other players and coaches for working hard to make this happen!

I think UTSA is thinking they're already in the SBC for sure at some point. The alliance pursuit is just gravy and the wish but probably not likely at least for the forseable future. If we leave to the alliance then UTSA and Tx State are the obvious targets the way I see it to come to the SBC.

So, you're saying our opening game at LSU could be a problem?

And with that... I'd start Chris Jones and Brandon Walton in the back-court...I don't want to see Walton for extended minutes most nights, but we need someone capable of stretching the defense and lord knows he'll shoot from anywhere. Also, unless Trey Norris takes some major strides this off-season, Alzee's ability to play both guard spots makes him an ideal candidate as 6th man...something in the mold of Dominique Johnson. Both Alzee and Jones should see 25-30 minutes a night, Walton 15 or so and scraps for Norris and Overlander...maybe a few for Jordan Williams at the 2, but not many. Tony Mtichell will be a 3 in the NBA. I don't give a damn though until he's wearing a Mav's uniform. On this team, Tony is our 4. Without having seen Patton play, I think I'd start Franklin at the 3, Mitchell at the 4 and Odoh at the 5. Franklin can guard most team's 3s which will keep Mitchell and Odoh inside where they can swat shots 5 rows deep...but Franklin also is best 12 feet and in, he plays more like a 4 on offense which would allow Tony to drift to the perimeter a bit more. A bench primarily of Patton/Holman/Jordan Williams gives you a variety of options from the 3-5...with some situational minutes for Niko at the 5. I still have hopes for Robinson, but he desperately needs strength (namely leg and core) and confidence. I think he's a trash minutes player this season, but a break-out candidate in '13-14 if he puts the work in now.

I agree. If more SBC teams were to come the only others I would be happy about are Louisiana & FAU. I fully expect La Tech in the Alliance. If another WAC school is invited do you prefer Texas State of UTSA?

How crushing do you think it will be if UTSA doesn't get into one of the alliance conferences?

The only teams I expect to leave the Sun Belt are FIU & UNT

This could be an incredible team if everyone shows up. I still maintain Mitchell is a 4 not a 3, the best rebounder in the conference does not need to be playing outside. His NBA money is going to be generated by his rebounding not his outside moves. He needs to work on an inside game. He can always flow outside like this year. As far as a starting lineup other than Mitchell I think anything could happen. Jones was the best point in the Belt last year and should regain that position. Alzee Williams is the best defender on the team and showed he has an offensive game to go with it, got to put him at the 2. Oduh is the center, he apparently is a very good rebounder, offense doesn't matter much; so if he can play defense he should be a starter. That leaves Patton, Holmen, J. Williams and Franklin fighting it out for the 3. I think Patton may be the best all around player of the bunch. My projected starters: Center Oduh 6'10 Junior - Raw but may be the missing piece to this team Forward Mitchell 6'8 Soph. - Should become the greatest player ever at NT Wing Patton 6'7 Senior - Believe he may be the best all around big other than Mitchell, but will have to show it early to play Wing A. Williams 6'4 Junior - Most consistent player on team last year Point Jones 6'2 Soph. - Led Belt in scoring and assists before he became disqualified That lineup is potentially great but even better is the depth off the bench. I think any of these guys could start for most NT teams and in fact all 4 started for NT last year. Wing Walton 6'2 Senior - Became much better as year progressed, good shooter, tough player Forward Franklin 6'5 Senior - A tweener who was at times, one of NT best last year, see him losing time to Patton Wing Holmen 6'8 Senior - Great offensive tournament, always been up and down Wing J. Williams 6'6 Soph.- Crazy athletic, if he gets his shoot down could easily be one of the best in the Belt Deep Bench I don't see a lot of playing time for this group because of the depth of this team, but anyone of them could develop Forward Niko S. 6'9 Senior - Surprised he didn't get more minutes last year, inconsistent but not afraid to take it to the basket Center Robinson 6'10 Soph - Maybe because of injury but didn't show much last year, good outside shoot but too timid around the basket Wing Outlander 6'4 Freshman - Mystery played out of position in high school, can he be that zone buster from the outside Point Norris 6' Soph. - Showed some quickness and has potential but didn't show a lot after Jones left the team

At least no one died this time.

If Walton can throw a few more airballs, start him at the 2 and stick CBL in the chat. Then I'm good as gold.

FIU's Real-Time RPI just improved 70 points

I've got to admit that this one's a little puzzling. There will be eight in the MWC after the comings and goings. UTEP's moving will increase that to nine. If both Utah State and San Jose State are admitted that will make an awkward 11-team conference. Will there be a 12th team added or do they anticipate losing another to the Big East? Will it be San Jose OR USU only? Will NMSU get the nod? Inquiring minds want to know.

Gotta Agree I hope in his current contract it states , we have the right to a home & home series w/ the school who hires him away

I didnt't know who he was either and I followed college football since the SWC days.

Can't say many Louisiana Tech fans ever have much interest in what goes on with Texas sports meetings

How about you two take it to another board?

i understand solidarity on a team...but thomas was a disaster...almost shanice stephens disaster...

Im surprised they had that many people there. they only have 47 fans.

Maybe they were to embarrassed to admit that Thomas had been sexually harrassing them.

George and TT for sure. It'd be a dogfight between a healthy CJ and Joshy, but at this point my money would still be on Josh.

I've missed the signs that point to a full merger. In fact, I was under the impression that that idea was pretty much canned. The losses in NCAA distributions, exit fees and reduction to one guaranteed tournament spot was to run into the millions. Nothing has been finalized but my understanding is that they are trying to move toward a joint TV contract and some type of inter-league game or games. One president was quoted that they had come to far to leave things status quo. Supposedly there is to be an announcement within the next two months on how many will be added.

No! Not the best team ever. When I was young and we played with peach baskets we had an amazing team!!! We won back to back to back to back city titles!!! Don't believe me? Look up in the rafters at the pit...ignore those pesky 2007 and 2010 banners though.

UTSA fans

I hope both North Texas & LaTech can get it and we can LOL in UTSA's faces

He looked to me to have pretty good ball control. It is definitely an area he can work on to become an elite basketball player and not just elite athlete. If I was coaching him during the off season I'd give him some time at the 2, because the experience playing there would only help his skills at the 3. He's just so athletic that if he can start hitting jump shots of the dribble not many teams will have a player to D up on him.

Realignment news is 90 percent speculation and 10 percent guesswork. I wouldn't freak out about anything until you see solid news about school invites.

I find it hard to believe that UTEP wants to leave the Texas Metro markets. I am really surprised they want to head west again if that happens with the realignment. GMG

If we absolutely cannot find anyone, I can be an option.

First Four (March 19 and 20) University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio Second and third rounds (March 21/23) and (22/24) The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan (Host: Oakland University) Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky (Host: University of Kentucky) EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah (Host: University of Utah) HP Pavilion, San Jose, California (Host: West Coast Conference) University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio (Host: University of Dayton) Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas (Host: University of Texas at Austin) Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri (Host: Big 12 Conference) Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Host: Temple University) Regional sites (March 28/30) and (29/31) East Regional, Site not yet announced. West Regional, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California (Host: Pepperdine University) Midwest Regional, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hosts: Butler University, IUPUI, Horizon League) South Regional, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas (Host: Big 12 Conference) Final Four - Atlanta (April 6 and 8) Georgia Dome (Host: Georgia Institute of Technology)

I prefer this over adding any more teams to the Sun Belt.