Mean Green 93-98

If you weren't talking smack, then I apologize. Your comments came across as insulting and condescending, but I'll take you at face value that you did not mean it that way.

Listen, I understand if you want to come over to our board and talk smack. I understand that we are not yet to the level of Southern Miss--you happy? But seriously, no one who has followed UNT recruiting at all would say that this does not look to be the best recruiting class in several years. That goes for people who have no personal ties to UNT as well. Does this mean I am satisfied that we've "arrived" to where we want to be. No. But I am happy that we are making strides in the direction that we want to go--and we are.

If you're going to reply, reply to the point of what I said. Again: True or false? If false, why?

Driving while intoxicated is illegal and wrong. If Adrian Awasom drove while intoxicated, he deserves what punishment he gets, even if that means wearing striped jumpsuits and pink underwear. But folks, he hasn't even been charged yet.

You answered by implying that I was trying to claim, "Our 2-stars are better than their 4-stars." Not what I said. You also implied that I was throwing Rivals ratings out the window. Not what I did. Let me restate this: Our recruits have a higher average Rivals rating than any team ranked over 71 (except Marshall and TCU), and more than a few in the 60's. We have more and better recruits than another school = our recruiting class is better.

Learn to read. You replied to something other than what you claimed to be replying to.

I must disagree with you again. The Rivals team point ratings are whacked. We have 24 commits, with an average star rating of 2.29. Only one team ranked below us has a higher average (TCU), but they only have 13 commits. You'll find that our Rivals star average is right there with teams ranked in the 60's, and they do not have as many commits. There are most certainly not 79 teams doing a better job than UNT in recruiting.

That 2004 class (ranked #72) does not hold a candle to the current class on paper. That class had 2 3-star recruits, as did the 2003 class. The 2008 class has 7.

Say what? We may not be outrecruiting UT, but if our commits hold we will have perhaps the best recruiting class on paper this school has ever had.

I've gotta admit, I did not feel good going into this game. An impressive win, gentlemen!

He's going to do just fine. He was a little out of his element last year, but he has had ferocious high school defenses. Sorry it didn't work out for you here, but wish you well.

OT: Did he decommit from UAB? Rivals no longer shows him as being a verbal there. Sounds like a great prospect, and we definitely needed help in the defensive backfield. But I think we've pretty well shored that up. Our biggest need right now for recruiting is a monster on the o-line.

North Texas must address issues to keep title By TROY PHILLIPS Star-Telegram Staff Writer Link to story DENTON -- Ten regular-season Sun Belt Conference games remain for North Texas, and the Mean Green will need all 10 to salvage what was once a promising season. Injuries, a flu bug, poor road play and the search for a consistent rotation have all contributed to a 3-5 conference record and the end of a 10-game home winning streak. Tonight, Sun Belt leader South Alabama (17-3, 9-0) visits the Super Pit, and UNT (12-7 overall) needs a miracle. UNT, the defending conference champion, has lost three straight. "We're not stopping anybody right now," guard Collin Dennis said. "We're just not finishing games, and it's frustrating." Defensive and scoring lapses have come simultaneously, often with UNT holding a lead. What could be at play this season is a deeper but younger UNT team that's still learning to play together. Despite a 9-2 start in nonconference play, UNT is a game worse in league play than at the same time a year ago (4-4). Like last season, UNT has the players to make a late championship run. Five things it either must do or seriously consider: 1. If possible, establish a starting lineup: Given UNT's depth, coach Johnny Jones disagrees that this matters. UNT has used three different sixth men (Tristan Thompson, Collin Dennis, Dez Willingham). Inside, UNT has started 6-foot-7, 195-pound freshman Kedrick Hogans, as well as career backup center Justin Howerton. Injuries or illness have prompted shuffling, but it's becoming less necessary. 2. Stop playing like road kill: Jones and players contend the Sun Belt's balance plays to home teams. But Denver, Troy, Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee, all home winners against UNT, were a combined 14-22 in the league entering Wednesday. FAU was 5-13 when UNT visited. 3. Defend like you mean it: Numbers don't lie. UNT lost three games (Middle Tennessee, FAU, Troy) despite leading by double digits. Denver shot 60 percent, and New Orleans led by as many as 29 points. Field-goal percentage defense is way off since in Sun Belt play. Opponents are shooting 46.2 percent in conference; UNT held them to 40.2 percent in nonconference. 4. Restore the Wooden/White combo: Injuries and illness have hampered what was UNT's best inside-out combination. Center Keith Wooden said Tuesday he's determined to reach full strength after two sprained ankles and arthroscopic knee surgery, but Jones is cautiously optimistic. When Wooden and freshman point guard Josh White are on, the scoring possibilities for UNT seem endless. 5. Solve those matchups: The opposing primary or secondary scorer in UNT's past three losses have shot a combined 38-for-64, or 59.3 percent. UNT held Troy's O'Darien Bassett to 9-for-22, but he still scored 30 points. ONLINE: meangreensports.com South Alabama at North Texas men 7 tonight, Super Pit, Denton Records: USA 17-3, 9-0 Sun Belt; UNT 12-7, 3-5 Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM; KNTU/88.1 FM Tickets: $12/$7; call (800) 868-2366 or visit www.meangreensports.com Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com

Just because a Todd Dodge backer wants Vito fired does not necessarily mean that Todd Dodge feels that way. I personally believe that Todd Dodge is the greatest thing to happen to this football program in a long time (I guess that makes me a "bootlicker"). But I personally don't have any problem with Vito. I enjoy his coverage of the team overall. While the two may have gotten irritated at one another over various matters, I don't believe for one minute that it's the all-out war that some posters are trying to make this out to be.

Weak.

Fake Lonnie, would you please provide some Todd Dodge quotes that make you believe he can't hack it? Or some evidence? Otherwise, quit making stuff up.

At least they have the ability.

What?

One week from tomorrow--Wednesday the 6th.

That is a shock. I imagine his parents will have little trouble bankrolling his education without a football scholarship, but I would have figured Tomlin had more passion for the game than that. I wish him well.

We definitely want to hold onto those other OOC games. How much would LSU have to pay us to back out?

SMU has only verballed one of the DMN's Area 100 - and he's #96. Contrast that with UNT's 8 commits on the list.

Great PR. As Hayden Fry noted, North Texas really has something to offer, and our current coaches are apparently doing a good job of showing that to recruits. As an aside, I still think the optimal situation is to have Riley redshirt.

Thanks for the recap. Wish I could've been there.

Been wondering the same thing. If anyone can give a quick "Rivals Team Points System for Dummies" overview, it would be much appreciated.