flyonthewall

I was asked to define what my definition of success is. I did not put a probability or a prediction if this is what was going to happen. New conference, better overall opponents, basically the same players with one more year of experience...........Could be very tough for anyone to have instant success. But that is where the bar has been set. Coach Benford has been around long enough to know that with the type of commitment some people have made, they expect the same success that made them able to help. Fail in business, get fired. Fail in coaching, get fired way faster. However, three months cannot define a body of work in this business. So UNT90, you can start shuddering, Benford will coach here at least three years.

I want a 20 plus win season next year and postseason play. Follow that up with more respect in two years, an NCAA bid at an 11 to 14 seed which gives us a chance to win. That is what I want. Any thing less than that is failure. And I expect the same thing on the women's side too. I will also go on record as saying we must win 7 next year in football. I will agree that all of this momentum in fundraising we have built up will vanish like a fog rolling out if there is no success on the field. I am tired of supporting a loser, even if it is our loser. 1. Give coaches and kids tools to be successfull (aka facilities). This takes money. 2. Hire the right people at every level. This takes money 3. Fund scholarships for student athletes. This takes money Hope to have a beer with some of you "haters" in hot springs. That includes you emmitt. David

Thank you for posting this Harry. this is another reason why this was a stupid hire, I mean come on, not the mvp of the southwest conference tournament, who oh by the way, brings in a pioneering friend who participated in a final four as a player, broke the color barrier at old miss, and was named NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR IN 1997, and after five days not one hater posts one reply to this article. In two years if this thing is announced a failure, I will admit it to the world. But I have one question for the haters, if we are where we want to be in two years, are you going to publicly say you were wrong about this? Or or you going to go on hating?

very funny emmitt. I have missed all of the practices, that's why I can't shoot.

Got the flu. Haven't been by there to inspect the work. May go by tomorrow.

For those who did not listen to tonights radio show, Roger Franklin was a guest tonight. It was very nice to hear a quality kid and quality person talk about how much he loves North Texas. It was obvious to all of those that are there that this team has not given up on this coach or this season. Hopefully we can get Alzee, Clark and Jacob back soon and make a little run for some momentum going into the tournament. Sounds like Clark might be back for Saturday, Alzee will be questionable for saturday, and Jacob might be back Thursday. But for right now we are going with 7 plus the walkon on Thursday, unless Jacob can come back.

I hope I am not wrong, and all of the Benford haters are right, but we have a good coaching staff in place here. I though it was an excellent piece that George Riva and Dale did last night. We got a quality win against a tough opponent Saturday night. This is going to be a brutal swing in Florida for both the men and women this weekend, if they both go 1-1 I think you would have to call it success. Any thoughts from anyone on the fact that we are playing a little better with Chris Jones hurt and reincarnation of smurf point gaurd a la Josh White style running the point for most of the game? When P.J. stuck all but one of those free throws coming down the stretch I could not help but think about Josh.

We are starting the ceramic tile in the bathrooms on Monday. I will take some pictures and try to upload them then. I have had some trouble in the past compressing them and getting them to post. So any help on how that is done please let me know. Otherwise I will email them to Harry and he can put them up for me.

Ok emmitt, a not embarrassing jj loss from last year. 97-64 to University of Texas Arlington. a not so embarrassing loss to Miss. State, 82-59. A not so embarrassing loss to columbia with an rpi of 187 72-57. OH yeah, and that loss to Tech early in the year who finished the season with a staggering rpi of 240. I am not taking up for Tony Benford, I am just not going to knee jerk and say fire em all, they stink. I am watching the same games you guys are, and I think this Andrew is not being realistic. If these kids can't play, then he better find some that can. He better go find a juco point guard that can shoot. I am just saying that this team might very well be overhyped.... Not what was advertised. Heck yes he is going to come in saying things like "They are scared to play in Denton" and "Our goal is not only to go to the tournament, but to go deep in the tournament". I heard all of these things several times. We were all set up for a big, big let down. It is time to pick ourselves up, be realistic about what we have here, and figure out what we can do to help right the ship. For my part I am going to sit at the games and encourage our players, heckle the refs to the point where they might throw me out of a game, and thank god that my living does not rely on the actions of 18 to 22 year old kids. If at the end of next year we have completely lost it and have gone way backwards, then I will be more critical of Coach Benford, but not in public, not on an internet board. Only in private conversations with whoever wants to listen. It is just nor fair to judge this thing one sided right now, that is all I am saying.

Well I can't hardly function without drinking, which is why they have meetings for such things.

I didn't say that It was his fault. What is fault? Is it Rick V.s fault that Mitchell loafs back on defense, and by the admission of NBA scouts in national publications that he is late on offense? Is this Johnny's fault? I am merely saying that there are two kids on this team that Benford recruited. P.J. and Coleman. The rest of this talented bunch are the kids that Johnny brought here. I am merely stating that the team could quite possibly have the same record with the VERY NOTABLE AND embarrassing loss to Alabama School for the blind with Johnny Jones as coach of this team, and we would be calling for his head also. Who would Johnny have beat? Kansas State after the win against Alabama Huntsville, Virginia in their building? St. Louis in their building? Marquette in their building? Did Johnny beat Marquette this year with his LSU team? Based on the rpi's of the teams that we have played this year, and Johnny's ten year history against these typed of RPI's, including his short stint at LSU, we would have the same record as we do now. He has beaten no one at lsu, and lost to Marquette and Boise State???? Just comparing, as you say.

Yes lets compare. Last year at this time we had 7 losses through the Troy game. Average RPI of teams that we lost to was 134, with the highest rpi being texas at 57. We lost to them 73-57. We had seven wins. Of these 7 wins 1 was against New Orleans, 1 against St. Gregory's, and one was against La Sierra. The average RPI of the four teams that we beat was 261. So we were 4-7 at this time last year against teams that count against the RPI. The highest RPI of teams that we beat to this point was Loyal Marymount at 109. I know that everyone hyped this team, hell I hyped this team to everyone I knew, told everyone I knew about our lottery pick, about our two guards that were coming back. You can hate on Benford all you want, this team just wasn't that good last year, and it is not that good this year either. I don't like watching this either. I don't like watching other teams making transition baskets while the "All American" is smirking at officials because he thought he was fouled. I don't like watching athletes that Johnny Jones recruited missing every freaken mid range jumper that they take. I don't like looking up at the end of the game and seeing that the other team made 11 three pointers and we made 0 or maybe one. But I can't put this on the coach. I am sorry. He was not handed the keys to a ferrari. I will admit that Jordan has been coming around the past few games, but we are still not making the long range daggers that Tristin Thompson, Dominique, Josh White, Brandon, Calvin Watson or many other players from the past could make for us. It is sad to watch, but I am sad for different reasons than some of you guys. The average rpi of teams that we have lost to this year is 107, With the highest being Creighton at 15, The average RPI of teams that we have beaten is 218. We were just not that good last year to this point, and we are not that good this year. I argue that we would be in this exact same place with Johnny Jones, and calling for his head. Fortunately for Johnny he is in Baton Rouge with LSU playing an EASIER non conference schedule and make 600,000 a year more than he made here. Loved Johnny, friends with Johnny, but is it possible the rug was pulled out from under this place on the way out the door?

Good luck to Chris jones tonight. who wants to bet me he doesn't miss a shot for the rest of this year?

Emmitt I am laughing my arse off. Maybe we have a chance with all of these injuries.

Getting on a bus again tony?

Mean Green Club supports scholarships for student athletes. Facilities improvements are completely different. And Harry did not ask me for any donation. I just noticed that some peoples avatar said "contributor" on it, and since I use this site and read what is on it, I contributed. I am not patting myself on the back, I am just asking for people to become part of the solution. No body works harder than Mark Miller at promoting and trying to raise money, if he is a blind cheerleader then so be it, thank god we have him, and we need 150 more just like him. Maybe you could sign up to be a mean green club rep. like him, and then build a base of people that you help notify about all things North Texas, and yes send Harry 10 buck for his web site. The next time I see you I will ask you in person if you gave Harry ten bucks for his web site.

He emmitt, as much as you spew on this board you think you can send Harry 10 bucks so he can keep it operational? I notice that it does not say "contributor" by your name. Heck, it's easier to donate to this than to say A FREAKIN JUMBOTRON AND BASKETBALL PRACTICE FACILITY

Who is dr. Rawlings? A baseball glove maker?

Ok you got me. I should have said "playing hard and start to improve". Instead of "keep improving". Believe me, I am watching the same games you guys are, and it is not fun at all.

Once again, one mans generousity, and it was his idea, not the athletic department, has been made a joke by people on this board. People doing everything in their power to make things better at this place, including opening their checkbooks, and you guys finding a way for unselfish giving to be bad. THIS PROMOTION HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH ONE DONOR WANTING HIS BELOVED ALMA MATER TO LOOK GOOD AND TO SHOW THE KIDS ON THIS BASKETBALL TEAM THAT SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK AND BELIEVES IN THEM. And if they just keep shooting the basketball, some of us fans have faith that the shots will start falling, and if they keep improving and playing hard, then they will start winning games. And the belief that just maybe if our kids put it together, albeit a considerable long shot, and we get some people in the building that may have not come otherwise, then they might come back and make this place one of the most difficult places to play in the country because it is loud and full during conference play. These are all ridiculous and stupid ideas. Imagine if we get on a roll, and win some new fans, and then the students come back in mid January, how much fun it will be. I will be there regardless of what happens, cussing losses, celebrating wins and singing the alma mater after the game. I am very proud of someone that I consider a friend, "The Tasty Greek" taking somewhat of a high road on all of this even though I know HE MUST BE ABOUT TO BLOW, but except for the occasional jab and good humor, and I may be wrong about this, he has not publicly stated that one of the hardest working and most accessable athletic directors in the country needs to be fired, or that the basketball coach needs to be fired. Why not just bring 4 of your friends to the game. Tell them what it is. Two potential future NBA draft picks on the same court in Denton Texas. One of the teams beat Duke last year to advance in the NCAA tournament. It was only the 6th or 7th time in history that a 15 seed upset a 2 seed.

Correction, Two people responded to my plea for money on this board for donation to basketball facilities. Kram1 and Greendozer. Thank you very much Brian and Mark for you generous contribution to basketball. Please everyone notice that phase 1 of upgrades has already been installed, and you can see it Thursday. That is the new video board that sits in front of the scorers table and has advertising on each side, and the score in the middle.

Ward, Ward, Ward. You would have hired the best available canditate, just like you would have hired the best available knee brace salesman. If that was a guy that was never a vice president of sales, then so be it. Somebody has to hire you as a head coach the first time. This guy brought a guy with him that won two sec championships, a hall of fame coach, and if you don't like that guy then there is the 200 wins sitting next to him in Bart Lundy. This is a great coaching staff with tons of experience. They can and will put things together, and you are correct we need a shooter or two badly.

The greatest Kendra Talkin quote ever "Why are they putting those fans there???? Its windy enough already" Man I miss her smile and work ethic..

Yessir, and at our university, perhaps the most awesome view of athletic facilities in the country, Bar none. Tell me one other school that will have softball field, baseball field, football stadium, student athlete academic center, basketball arena, basketball practice facility, and if you squint, off in the distance the tennis facility from one of the MOST TRAVELED HIGHWAYS IN THE COUNTRY!!!!!!! The visibility is going to awesome and one of a kind!!!!!!!! With those damned three fans thrown in there to boot.

I don't know if the infastructure can handle a four sided video scoreboard above the pitching mound. Engineering is still looking in to that. But seriously it is going to be awesome coming from south to north on 35w and looking at the softball field, baseball field, then fans turning and that beautiful football stadium. I may add about five miles to my commute to work just to go that way about once a week.