NM Green

So Shaka took the money and ran and then lost to SFA in the first round. That is fine. We don't get him but go get someone who has won at the top level. Period. Shaka was smart and worked out a good contract - God love capitalism. Make it happen just get a leader who has won at the top level before. GMG

Look cusa is a league waiting for a stud to come in and have a dominant program emerge. Shaka whatever better get out while stock still looks good. Going down to sfa first round not good for rep. Go get Reggie from Northridge was a finalist for unlv when rice got job. We are a league hungry for the byu to emerge. Let's take the cougar approach from back in the day! GMG

Love the jacks! I would go get their coach or the VCU coach. We have to be legit in the two power sports. There is no downtime for an ad or chance to rest in your success. Grab some coffee Rick and get to work!!!!! GMG

New Mexico State taking the Aztecs to ot. The ohio state university Oklahoma and Cincy biting it! Delicious! I love march madness and hope tomorrow is equally exciting! GMG

Some gritty performances

I have FL AZ Louisville and VA with Arizona beating FL in the championship game. GMG

I was in Las Vegas this weekend and went to the Pac 12 Championship game (second half). It was awesome being in Las Vegas with 3 conference tourneys going on: WAC, Pac 12 and Mountain West. All three arenas within 2 miles of each other. The city was packed with bball fans and the casinos went all out hanging banners from the schools in the casino lobbies and walkways. The West Coast Conference was at the Orleans the week before. Our destination city is New Orleans. The Pac 12 didn't stay away just because the MWC already had dibs on the Thomas & Mack, the weekend and Vegas. We need to move this tournament to New Orleans. Is there another venue down there that could host it? If not lets make it the weekend before. Either way NOLA is in our footprint and schools from all over would pour down there with a planned weekend. I swear half the cities of Albuquerque and Tucson were in Las Vegas this weekend. GMG

I still believe the only way you get into Apogee on the 6th is with season tickets or a ticket bought in advance. Project Hit 32k needs to begin now - March - August - let's get our first sell out accomplished in a few short months. GMG

Those pics were great and brought back terrific memories. Let Benford continue grooming his team, recruit a stud that wants to play for him and continue trending upward. I mean many of the teams we lost to ugly are set up nicely to go dancing (thinking BYU). I just remember JJ having some mulligans just like benford. I sat through that massacre at UTA and that was under JJ's watch. JJ got us dancing but couldn't get us over that hump into the 32. I wish Benford luck and will celebrate and support that coach that finally gets us in and leads us to do some damage in the tourney. GMG

I have lost interest in the bball program but I do love our recent streak. I also have to check myself that these kids are student athletes who chose to play for my school. It's not an easy dilemma for fans to be in but in the end we all want the Green to win. I will never forget the NE shirts they wore at one of the football games. I asked what it meant and they said, "No Excuses." However, the team walked around the stadium almost expecting to be heckled and laughed at before the season ever started. Maybe that is why I have not been that interested this year - it is just an ugly scene at the Superpit with empty seats, blowout losses and fans craving for a change. Weird energy. Thank you for supporting the kids. It will work its way the way it is supposed to. GMG

I love alcohol sales in the stadium and arena. If you don't have extensive tailgate time you can grab one inside and nurse it due to the costs:) I think it actually takes the "taboo" out of it and I have only seen it work well in Hawaii and Las Vegas. UNLV takes it one step further by having the Jack Daniels Bar in the arena which is a great gathering place before the game and at halftime. It is a four counter station with TV's in each corner and another on a large wall where you have cocktail standing tables. They play NBA games and college games. The smoking terrace is just outside this bar area and is discreetly monitored by security. You have adults and kids of age hanging out visiting and socializing inside the arena before game time and at half. I always bump into people I work with on the Strip at that bar, so the social aspect is nice and adult. This takes it further than just the cart grab and go stop. The Superpit has some truly nice concourse space to work with as well. I have been in the Green Room and it is like bringing the festivity out of the dungeon and opening it for all. Let's make this happen. If I were Smastrek I would send Rick to a game at the T&M so he could experience the production: 1. Pre-game indoor firework intro 2. Sponsorship booths, games and activities throughout the entire concourse 3. Restaurant/food options 4. Liquor carts and beer garden setup 5. The REBELLION student section complete with Khem Kong in the stands - google the madness 6. The energizing DJ crowd igniter between timeouts 7. The Rebelgurls - google opportunity 8. The Jaws Shark chomp intro before tipoff All of the above turned me from casual fan to city supporter to Runnin Rebel season ticket holder when I lived in sin city for those 6 years. It was a blast and you have to bring it in Mountain West basketball because San Diego State has "The Show," Utah State has a crazy environment, Boise has become a tough place to play and then there is the Pit in New Mexico. There are no real easy venues to win on the road in that conference and CUSA needs to grow this sports experience - why not The Mean Green. Smastrek has lived it too and once you see it you want to make that happen every time you enter a college basketball arena. I have a feeling WKU might have our best conference experience but have not been to a game there. Get Rick to the San Diego State game at UNLV March 5th - I'll give him some miles. See it today and plan for next season. GMG GMG

Oh I know they beat Kansas and they played Okie State tight the other day. Its just dark days in frogland for now, not forever. I would take that Big XII offer too and the loot but that invite is not there...yet. Mean Green are making our own strides right now and we are earning it much like the purple did a decade ago. We have a long way to go but when the light is shining bright on you and the local big dawg is struggling - you have to seize the spotlight and moment. Let's make some noise in El Paso if we can. Let's make some statements in the fall again! GMG

I thought this post included their 0-15 Big 12 basketball conference record. I know they love that Big XII dough but this has not been a fun past 12 months in Frogland. We sure have been there before. Kind of weird to see them after all of those USC, Rose Bowl, BCS, top 10 glory days. It truly is cyclical. Mean Green maximize YOUR time! GMG

This should be a definite concern for college athletics and the pros. I recently met with the San Francisco 49rs about their effort to make sure they can get people off the couch and out from in front of their super capable HD TV's. Though they are going to have brand spanking new stadium they know the lure to stay at home in front of amazing TV's with friends is a challenge. After the Southern Miss game I went into New Orleans and had a sunday funday with some Saints fans, some of which attended their first New Orleans game in the Superdome that day. They stated that they enjoyed it but would not necessarily desire to go back. They would rather watch the game with their friends at a bar. Again organizations long-term nightmare - one and done. This concern is real at both levels. Organizations and universities better figure out what that population wants inside the stadium. It is absolute connectivity, continuous interactive activity with the game experience, giveaways and perhaps party zones for the various groups, all of which involve innovative technology. I went to the UNLV basketball game last night and dropped $30 for a nosebleed seat. It stung but was still fun. However, I can't do too many $30 upper level tickets throughout the season for a conference game. I personally think the situation will only get worse if college athletics becomes more like the pros. Some will say why bother with the Wildcats when you can check out Seattle tomorrow. Got to stay ahead of the game. GMG

Piers is terrible. Imagine the communists news network's ratings if it wasn't running completely ignored in every airport in America. Pub is pub go Johnny Bobsled!!!!

I am ready for some Johnny Quinn heat to hi that website. North Texas stores would rock that gear and sell a ton! GMG

Just saw Johnny and the bobsled team in the pre-opening ceremony shots. His tweet about it being so awesome gives me goose bumps. What an experience for one of our own. GO Mean Green! GO USA!!!!!

I don't rule out seeing Marshall in Apogee. There is that championship game afterall, so it is not out of the realm of possibility! GMG

That was a terrible interview. I could think of about 80 other things she could have chosen to talk about, especially with her headline of raising the reputation of the university. She talked too much, the pictures looked like the entire campus did circa 1986. That shot could have been in the radio shack add. Tragic and not a solid effort on her part at all. Best part - GO MEAN GREEN!!!!!

I love the enthusiasm but there is much work to be done. This years team will have to carve out their own identity minus DT minus Orr minus all those stellar players we had. It's a fresh start and everyone must do their job again. Recruit season ticket holders travel to away games wear your green. Welcome dormant alumni and buy season tickets. We CAN own North Texas with an 8-8 Cowboys lame duck June and bottom feeder frog. Let's go do this!!!!! GMG

I would love an opportunity to wipe the sour UTSA game out of my mind with a return visit by the dirtybirds. I don't care - beat'em in Denton or the Dome. Just beat'em and beat'em good! GMG

Just you tube unlv running rebel entrance. Best college show ever. There is a lot of opportunity in out basketball experience. GMG

Jealous! Awesome! GMG

I know he got a taste of what it is like to be MEAN GREEN at the HOD festivities. But is there a plan for the Green Brigade to welcome him at the official arrival event? I believe he officially joins the Mean Green Nation in early February. It would be wonderful to welcome him with spirit and Mean Green pride. Off topic I want our 2014 schedule so I can begin making travel plans! GMG

Yes I believe Mack was a big part of why UT was below their average. Once he got serious UT began to play well. I don't think it was all Diaz's fault at all. Mack was in protection mode after BYU and was gifted the Iowa State win. It still didn't save his job and the UT faithful were ready to get rid of Mack even before the BYU debacle. That was a train wreck down there. I think LA Tech provides Manny a fresh start and he will do well. I am glad we most likely get them in Denton this year because going to Ruston and Hattiesburg in the future will not be a piece of cheesecake. GMG