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It used to be basketball that got us through football off-season. Now its just facility upgrades that's keeping us from jumping off the cliff. I just hope we can somehow pull together and get a decent seed for the SBC Tourney.

Making a good facility that much better. Congratulations! The new scoreboard sounds similar in size to what we have. We also have a board that displays scores and stats mostly on the end that doesn't have a balcony. Ya'll will enjoy having a nice board over the center of the court.

Here is a link to a Google map that shows Gang of 5 FBS conferences laid out and color coded on a map so that it is easy to visually see where the conference memebers are located. You may have to zoom in/out to adjust the display level. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=217768008643381202827.0004d19dc64c7e4c49bd7

1. You have too much time on your hands. 2. Seeing Tulane surrounded by 5 schools from other conferences makes you wonder what they were thinking.

Don't worry, we will coach that right outta him.

Or, you could just become an SMU fan, ride their bandwagon and Pony Up.

As we enter the last 4-5 weeks of recruiting, I thought it might be helpful to summarize where we are based on all the prior posts and announcements. Please speak up if you see something that is incorrect. Coach Mac mentioned in one of his end of season press conferences that he is planning to target a certain number of recruits at each position in addition to the transfers he already has lined up. Based on the early verbal commitments from the summer, plus the recent JUCO signing period, we have 10 HS players that have given verbal commitments plus the 4 JUCO signees. Here is a link to ESPN that lists 13 of these players (ESPN list is missing juco signee, Quentin Brown, DE, 6'3" 230, and HS verbal Sergio Medina, DB, 6'0" 210) ESPN link: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/249/north-texas Assuming the recruits follow through on their verbal commitments and sign in February, so far we have: 0 ATH - goal of 2 5 OL - goal of 4-5 1 DL - goal of 3 3 LB - goal of 3 2 WR - goal of 3-4 1 QB - goal of 1 3 DB - goal of 3-4 0 RB - goal of 0 ------------------------ 15 - goal of 20-21 In addition to the HS/JUCO recruiting, we have the following transfers Darius Terrell, WR Reggie Pegram, RB Brock Berglund, QB Carl Caldwell, WR (xfer, but not sure if receiving scholly) Zed Evans, DB (xfer, but not sure if receiving scholly) Any other transfers we know about?? Plus, we had two players that were gray shirted out of the 2012 class. Not sure if they are still around and if they will enroll full time and receive their scholarship in the spring, but if they do receive scholarship, they will count against our limit of 25. Andrew Tucker, RB Christian Hines, WR If the numbers are all correct, it looks like we are still looking for a couple of D linemen, a couple of athletes, and 1-2 WRs/DBs. Here's hoping that as the music starts stopping in the next few weeks, we can shake out several 3 star recruits when they realize the power conference scholarship isn't going to materialize. edit: added Medina

...and this isn't really delusion or just an insistence that we are. I didn't know where else to put this. I was in Danbury, Connecticut at the mall, and I saw a girl wearing a UNT shirt. Meanless to say, I flagged her down, we shared some eagle claws and went on with our business. I saw a UNT shirt in Manhattan once, as well. While I'm here, I haven't seen any other school shirts from Texas, but 2 UNT shirts/hats. Anyway the point here is, is that we have people who are proud to go to UNT and are fans of our school. All they need is our athletics (football, mostly) to make us proud...that will lead to some sellouts...we are clearly moving up in the world, a burgeoning university, the so-called "sleeping giant". But stuff like this proves to me we're already halfway there. We just need a football team so that the people who aren't seeing great things like this (genuine student pride) realize what's going on at UNT on a statewide and national level. The dedication and pride is already here. Great things. /cue gl2greatness rant.

When your sample size includes yourself its a statistical fallacy.

Merry Christmas everyone! If the stripper didn't grind properly, then what should I have done? I had no choice.

If 4 years of Dodge didn't teach the lesson. And 5-7 didn't teach the lesson. And 4-8 didn't teach the lesson. Basically, see if Voertman's has any of those green tinted glasses still in stock and join the party.

Not taking anything away from Larry Coker but the success Coker had at Miami was all because of Butch Davis' recruits.

How the Hell do you kick anyone's butt if you don't fight them? Bad joke of a thread. smu sux and we're due for a turnaround.

And you, as usual chose to think the worst. It is very possible that we pulled the offer or eased up after the Brown signing.

Also, the court is due for a repainting. The Belt logo will be changed for a CUSA logo and hopefully facing the free throw line like everybody else in the country not like our current upside down Belt logo. Hopefully they'll get rid of the old 3 point line and redesign with SOW at center court.

Who cares.

I don't have a penchant for playing with lights and causing a power outage in the southern United States...but I do have the gift of humor. So, I give to you all The Police Files Holiday Edition. Over the past four months I've been down here supervising (read, cleaning up) the 9-1-1 call center. And in that time I've learned that, as Flavor Flav so eloquently said, 9-1-1 is a joke in your town. Not because of the system or even the responding officers...but because of the geniuses that reside in this here big city. Here are a few of the gems I've experienced... A lady called in today requesting we send officers to her home to...unlock her hancuffs because she lost the key. Apparently while mommy was kissing Santa Claus she decided to take things in an S&M direction and forgot that you need a safe word AND a handcuff key. Another woman called in to report that she needed police because Wal-Mart "wouldn't let their employees go." The audacity of Wal-Mart to ask people to work while the store is open on Christmas Eve. Yesterday and older woman from far North Dallas called 9-1-1 to complain that the local sub-station wouldn't answer the phone and she needed an officer to come speak at her neighborhood watch event. I guess she and her friends are looking for crime prevention tips that go beyond be rich, be white, live behind iron gates and live far from the inner city. That we didn't have an officer to dispatch to her FROM THE 9-1-1 CALL CENTER was simply unacceptable. I'm told the complaint is forthcoming...I'll continue holding my breath. A man called to complain that he was unsatisfied with his lap dance at the Lipstick Lounge. He was highly intoxicated and, since all of our lines are recorded, I made sure I got him to explain in full detail that the dancers at the nude establishment didn't grind on him properly. Needless to say, his "theft" report never got filed. About a month ago a man called to complain that he was shopping at the Wal-Mart near 75 and Lemmon and that he observed an officer who was...wait for it...on his cell phone and laughing. When I asked the man if there was some emergency that this officer should have been tending to he replied that there was not but that he just couldn't see how we could allow our officers the free time to talk on a phone. Then, when I asked if perhaps this officer was working an off-duty job and was simply there to respond to on-site disturbances and offenses, he became irate and told me that it was ridiculous that police officers could work off-duty and make money to be security when "the rest of us have to rely on ONE job that doesn't pay as much." Not too long ago a man called to report his vehicle "stolen." The man stated that, because he doesn't have great credit, he went to an dealership with a friend and that the two co-signed on the financing for the vehicle. It seems that the two of them went to a party and, when this man became drunk, he gave the keys to this same friend and asked him to drive him home. Well, it seems the friend dropped him off and never returned the vehicle. So, this genius wanted to report his vehicle "stolen" because the registered owner hadn't returned it. This man called back and argued with me FIVE TIMES. And now for a "success story". Two months ago a lady called in to report that the little girl next door to her was being beaten by her step-father. The woman could hear everything that was happening and, though she had been threatened with physical violence by this man before if she interfered, she called 9-1-1. She stayed on the line with our operator for 35 minutes and gave amazing detail about both the father and the little girl. Because of her officers knew that the man owns a firearm and we were able to tactically go in and arrest him. The man has since been released from jail on bond and this woman has since moved because of him. The silver lining you ask? I was able to track down her new address and I went to thank her in person. I've also since nominated her for a Citizen's Certificate of Merit. She'll be honored at a citizen's award banquet in the Spring that the DPD puts on. So, as you hang your stockings and tuck in the little ones tonight thank God for two things. First, you're not stupid like some of these people. And second, we have the gift of laughter to enjoy said stupid people.

I hope Santa was good to you all yesterday! Let’s hope he brought the basketball team a winning streak for Christmas. Two big games are coming up in the next several days and we're having watching parties for both! · Collin/Denton Counties Watching Party: Men’s Basketball Watching Party at Rudy’s in FRISCO this Saturday on December 29th as the Mean Green travel to Kentucky to take on the Hilltoppers. Rudy’s in Frisco is located on the Dallas North Tollway just north of Main. Admission is free and open to the public. I’ll have a few North Texas freebies for you there as well. Tipoff is at 7pm. · End the Year with the Mean Green: Men’s Basketball Watching Party on Monday, December 31st, this time at Rudy’s in ALLEN. Tipoff is at 7pm. North Texas will be facing yet another tough conference opponent in Middle Tennessee. Rudy’s Allen is located on Highway 75, just south of Stacy Rd. by Cabela’s. Happy Holidays and GO MEAN GREEN!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town The fire siren echoed, blaring it's sound The firefighters came running from far and from near And raced to the trucks quickly, donning their gear. And I in my bunkers, my boots, and my hat Jumped into the engine to see where the fire's at Down at the corner of Fifth and of Oak The dispatcher informed us " a house filled with smoke" Smoke poured from all sides, from up, and from down Yet up there on the roof there was none to be found So up on the roof we raised us a ladder And climbed to the top to see what was the matter I came to the chimney and what did I see But a fellow in red stuck up past his knees Well we tugged and we pulled until he came out Then he winked with his eye and said with a shout These new fangled chimneys, they make then too small For a fellow like me, not skinney at all With a twitch of his nose he dashed to his sleigh And called to his reindeer, UP, UP, and AWAY As we rolled up our hoses he flew out of sight God Bless our Firefighters and to all a Good Night

This kid shows up as an OL in most of the places I have looked, but the recruiting video I found shows him at DT, and looks pretty good. http://www.ihigh.com/kimballknights/video_903163.html He has some interest from big 12 schools, but only we have offered according to Rivals. http://rivals.yahoo.com/northtexas/football/recruiting/player-Victor-Howell-121027;_ylt=Al2OPo1OXge7zX_qCyUmY.zNSMJ_

shaft, that looks more like, uh, cranberry cream???? Just sayin'...Would one have to go to Lowes or Home Depot to get strawberry cream mixed up? I apolpogize as I digress with this sarcasm color scheme subject. GMG!

And then it will go away again. I know kids in college think they are the center of the universe, but they are sadly mistaken. Grow up. Realize that older alums that have actually accomplished a thing or two in life don't appreciate obscenities in their alma mater's fight song. Realize that they are pissed that your immaturity caused THEIR fight song to be altered. Realize that maybe people with young children in the crowd don't want their children exposed to this language. And most of all, maybe have a sense of self-perspective that when you get older, this will be behavior of which you will be very embarrassed. If you grow up, that is.

Thanks for updating your list Harry. I was somehow overlooking that list and didn't realize you had already put this information together. Thanks for the reminder link. What about the gray shirts from last year, Tucker and Hines? Do we know if they are going to enroll/sign?

I noticed him listed as a DT on ESPN. Maybe I just missed it previously. Seems like a serviceable DT based on small sampling from video. The pickings are pretty slim at that position so far this year for us and unless someone falls in our lap, he may have to do for now.

It's even more difficult considering the facility is in use more than 50% of the time and for more than just basketball games.

It isn't going away, unfortunately. Just from reading the vibe of the students, they just will do it louder.

Harry posted December 20 that RB Sergio Medina has committed. May be considered at safety.

SMU looked good in their bowl, but who is going to be there in 2014? Hunt - No. Gilbert - No. June Jones - Probably not.

Sarcasm on message boards should have its own distinct color so all will know when someone is most definitely being sarcastic; myself I think strawberry cream would be that color.

Wouldn't mind tapping into OK more, but I don't think we're going to go after a RB in this class.

Thanks B. Very cool! Rick

The Ponies did look impressive last night. Marcus Hunt will be the steal of the 2013 NFL draft. Hopefully the Dallas Cowboys will seriously take a look at him in the first round (stock rising) and possibly Zach Line in a later round. Hunt reminds me of JJ Watts (Houston Texans) that we passed up for Tyron Smith. Smith's a good player but we needed help at the defensive end spot more. UNT will have the psychological advantage against SMU. This is the main reason they have avoided playing us and you can't blame them. UTA continues to kick our ass but we still feel superior. We've been talking about this series for the past 2-3 years. Not sure SMU fans are even aware of the upcoming series. We need to continue to take care of what we can control at North Texas (better recruiting) and stop hating on SMU. I actually feel that good football in Dallas in better for North Texas as well.

He's white. And that's ok.

We seem to be making a trend of this lately...in several sports. Kids sign with us and we wax poetic about how much potential they have and what a great "get" they are by our coaching staff. Then, if they leave or they play badly, they're immature or can't handle the pressure of a D1 juggernaut like NT!! Man, we literally can do no wrong around here.

So SMU is supposed to go to the Big East. If the Big East falls apart and SMU comes back, do we have to root for them in the bowl game? badtasteinmymouth

Congrats to the pony and they should be a minimum bar that we cross. With a larger alumni base and better facilities we simply must strive to win 3 of 4 bowl games in a four year stretch. Mac knows the bar. RV feels the bar and now is the time to deliver. We will be a better team by the time we play the ponies and Jones will most likely be gone after this year. Keep the series. We will compete, we will win and this will become a big time matchup that many are looking forward to for the next few years. GMG

http://ballislife.com/67-greg-wesley-is-one-of-the-most-explosive-athletes-of-2013/

Good to hear you're fine with Edo. I'll send your regards to him in Fresno, CA. Tell me again how we should listen to you.

7-6 record isn't dominating. But yes they are ahead of North Texas overall in football right now but I can assure you their alums who have ponied up 2 million a season for June Jones were expecting a hell of a lot more than what he's done since he came to SMU.

I hope this thread is not about being "fair weather fans." There is a huge difference between venting frustration at the lack of success when expectations are high (as in this basketball season) vs. bailing out and just slamming the school and programs. The reality for UNT athletics (for now) is it is a Mid-major school. It is a school that has some tastes of success in almost all sports at some point in time mixed with the misery of seasons where wins can be counted on one hand after a table saw accident. Very rarely does UNT get top recruits – they want to go to the top teams of the Gang of 5 conferences. Many times a mid-level recruit will come in and shine instead of going to the Go5 conference to ride the bench. We The Mean Green Nation are proud, we have high expectations of our school and athletic programs, and someday we want to be much more than what we are. If you like, queue up the Dennis Green “They are who we thought they were” rant.

I work with a guy whos son plays with Wesley, he says hes the real deal.. Wont go anywhere else because hes a home body, doesnt have the grades for smu and tcu, uta is to close

I know this season is a major disappointment, but this guy has size, wheels, handles, leaping ability, and ability to shoot an finish. It might look real good because of editing, but there are highlight reels of guys that can't accomplish much of what's in that video. He is a good player and a real good piece to have in our quest to turn things around from the beginning of this year and to keep things going from the past few years. The future looks good if we can keep landing his caliber.

It could be as simple as the coach trying to install a new offensive system with the parts that just aren't meshing. He may just have to recruit his style of ballplayer to fit the system he is installing. Unfortunately, that may not be the answer you want to hear because of the expectations. This system may not be the best for the type of player that was hear when he arrived, but I do see it as an offensive system that is more team oriented. Johnnie's style revolved more along isolation, whereas this seems to revolve on rotating the basketball with its many facets to get an open shot. Both can be effective with the talent it has on hand. It may take a class or two until we see the type of team ball you were hoping for. GMG

Played one game for us and makes that statement? Anything to make you feel better Brooks. You weren't even rated by Rivals coming out of HS, so something tells me you couldn't make the grades. To make yourself feel better, you make some assinine statement like the one above. Hope you have grown up and are taking responsibility for yourself now, instead of placing blame elsewhere. Something tells me he hasn't.

http://www.meangreensports.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=1800&SPID=564&SPSID=9108 http://www.nba.com/dleague/texas/schedule/ Feb. 2 is the first Saturday that a Legends home game does not conflict with a NT game.

Mike...stop giving me the minus points for just reporting what I heard the NBA guys say....it is their opinion, not mine...go give them the minus ones..... I can't help it f these NBA guys are so stupid. We're not my comments....it was their comments. Sorry you don't agree. But, I am guessing they might just go with their own opinions...neither mine nor yours....sort of their job, right? Let's all just agree that the season has been very frustrating so far. Let's all hope T Mitch ends up as a lottery pick and just see how it turns out. What we believe will not change a thing...

I agree with Andrew. I never saw brilliance from Tony last year. He was rarely the best big man on the court. we lost to ULL twice with Johnny. Benford is the coach this year and more. The "fire the coach" BS after a few games is bush league. I haven't been a member of this site long, but it makes me sick every time I come here. I have been going to NT games since 1961, attend ever game I can, listen on the radio tp away games. Been to Hot Spings the last 3 years, going this year. I watch 20 plus games every week. All of which i plan on continuing. And don't bother telling me I don't know basketball. I won't be back to read it. What if a potential recruit read this site. Most of you are a disgrace to NT

Stupid to change the fight song over that.

That version was played when we knew we were going to the NO Bowl when I was attending games in the early 2000s. I like that Williams brought it back.

The "drunken sailor" version of the fight song was a tradition played after mean green victories. It went away after the the teams fortunes went south, but I think Dr. Williams will try and bring it back now that the team is starting to pick up victories more consistently.