GrandGreen

40 times are part fiction, hyperbole, and otherwise unreliable. Almost every quoted 40 time is either a hoax or a least subject to questioning. I hate to break it to you unlike what you read in Texas Football, every high school football team is not full of players with 4.4 or 4.5 speed. There is for example an estimated 2.4 second difference in an automated and a manual time. So those timed manually pending other factors at 4.5 are roughtly equivalent to a 4.74 auto time. There is also a hugh difference in if it is timed based on a starting gun or signal or started on runner's movement. Throw in other factors such as running surface, weather conditions and runners' attire and it really gets complicated. There is also a difference in the accuracy of auto timing devices. Some would cite the pro camps as being the most accurate. I believe they run on grass in workout gear and are automatically timed started on runner movement. The only realistic way to judge speed is to have the team acually run races against one another. You may notice that a lot of coaches shy away from 40 speed times questions because they know that most times quoted are baloney. Back to the original question based on visual only, I think the fastest are Jackson, Stradford, Dodge, Dunbar and Outlaw. I am also sure that some of the defensive backs are comparable in speed.

No, you don't terminate anybody based on the first three games, NT will most likely be the underdog against all three schools although I feel like two are very winnable. What possible good could come out of changing coaches that early? if you remember RV let lame duck DD coach after he had been terminated, an unfortunate move for all but it certainly doesn't point to RV making any rash changes. My only hope, is that our AD will have a new coach picked or a very short list before he announces a decision. I don't want what we got last year. RV ostensibly reviewing the coach after the year with apparently no other options identified. I was far bringing back Dodge at that point, rather then going through a long progress and ending up with most likely a hurried choice. I do think Dodge has a good chance to turn it around this year, however if the team doesn't show improvement in the first half of the season, I hope the athletic administration is doing everything they can to select the next coach.

Picking Morris over Dunbar is strange. Morris had 14 more yards rushing last year but it took him 63 more carries. Dunbar averaged 6.9 ypg and scored 17 td's compared to Morris at 5.3 and 11 tds. Steele does a better job than most, he at least provides a lot more detail. He does base a lot of his projections on his high school ratings of players, thus he holds Riley in very high regard. Riley was given a ship to UT and it wasn't to play QB so there is a basis for his pick. With the number of NT players mentioned in the first four teams, he must think NT will be much improved. With Drake and Santiago on the first team offensive line and Gill and Johnson also included on the first four teams, Steele must think NT will have a very good offensive line. Picking Atkisson first team was real surprise, I hope he lives up to it. Overall, I think Dunbar should be on the first team and Carey higher but in truth there are several NT players that were higher than I anticipated.

Unfortunately, NT in football is the poorest of the sisters. It sure is fun to bad mouth the Belt, does anyone ever considered were NT would be without it? The problem is outside of the even worst fit WAC; nobody else wants NT. CUSA which is obviously a better fit geographically may look great from NT' view but many of the Western Division members think it is in their best interest to exclude NT. The non-Texas members don't want another Texas team, and the Texas teams don't want to help an in-state rival. Even if CUSA wanted NT, has anyone looked at the budget differences between NT and CUSA teams. Part of those differences would be made up with more funds coming from the conference and possible reduced travel, but NT would still most likely be by far the poorest funded school in CUSA. Yes, NT should always try to be better in athletics and academics and part of that is moving up the conference food chain. However, the Belt is not the problem and the continued my school is too good for the Belt mantra coming from supporters of every conference member is beyond old.

Lets see, Wilson was a juco AA who left the team before a game, Flemings a transfer from OSU who apparently couldn't cut it academically until he went to Hawaii, Curtis Muse an early sign juco who didn't make it academically and wasn't that good anyway, Babb who for some reason many thought NT had a chance at, and Thomas who apparently NT recruited before he signed with LSU. I guess a list of what could have been? Too bad this is an all decade team are you could throw in Vinnie Johnson, Terry Teagle and Spud Webb.

Thanks for the correction, got any other input?

NT has just concluded 10 years in the Belt, so it maybe appropriate to debate all decade and/or all Belt teams for NT. Starting with the easiest to discuss, men's basketball. The first year in the Belt, was Trilli's last year and the team was a disastrous 4-24. Johnny Jones has been here the other nine years with a record of 150-121 making NT 154-145 in the last ten years. Starting with the center position, my choice would be George Odufawa with another year to go. He has the highest rebound average for one year during the period by over 2 a game, 10.7 last year. He also was second team All Conference selection last year (he got robbed) and as such is the only NT big man to get this high an honor. He was also on last years all Belt tournament team. My second team choice would be Keith Wooden who when healthy and in something resembling in-shape was as good as offensive center as I have seen in the Green. At the four, I will go with Eric Tremiel. The team's leading scorer and rebounder in his junior year. Third team all conference in both his years at NT. Tournament MVP last year. For second team will go with Quincy Williams who led the team in rebounding for two years and was a very consistent player for all four years at NT. At the wings or shooting guards the number one choice is easy, Chris Davis. Joining him on the first team is Calvin Watson. Calvin was Belt Tournament MVP in 2007 and a four year player who got better every year. The first of my second team selections are Leonard Hopkins who led the team in scoring for two years and was second team all conference for two years. The other second teamer with a year to go, is Tristan Thompson. A player who gets better every year and hopefully the best is still to come. At point, Josh White is an easy pick. He may not be technically the best point for NT but he is definitely the best player who played point for the decade. One of the best clutch players in NT history. Always seems to put the team ahead of any personal play. Second team All Belt his freshman year and third team his junior year. All Belt tournament his sophomore year. Second team all decade would be Isaac Hines who once led the team in rebounding from the point position. MVP of the decade again is easy, Chris Davis. Surprisingly the only player from NT to make first team All Belt and he did that twice. He played in the Sun Belt for three years in which he led the team in scoring and assists and led the team in rebounding for two years. One of the best players in school history.

I wonder why a lot of people keep referring to a Texas centered conference as the new SWC. The Southwest conference was basically a Texas conference that included the state powers. Since none of the Big 12 schools are going to opt for a conference that includes the have-nots of Texas and it is unlikely that TCU with their recent success would consider it either, any league with the remaining schools would be the SWC in name only. South-central would be a more descriptive for a new Texas area based conference. Combining the western divisions of CUSA and the Belt makes too much sense to ever happen. Egos and the magical mysterious "my school is to good to be associated with your" concept will likely keep it from happening unless it is absolutely essential for survival. No matter how much red ink flows at SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane and Memphis, they are just too good to be associated with NT, ULL, Ark St, etc. It matters not that an intelligent case for this belief can not be supported.

NT like the last two years is in about as weak a recruiting position as possible. I said this last year and got a lot of negative responses, NT should not worry about early recruiting. The level of athletes that they can get at this point early are in general not worth NT's commitment. Wait till much of the season plays out, Dodge hopefully will have turned the program around or if he has not than recruiting should be up to the new staff. In ether case, a rejuvenated Dodge program or a new staff should be able to recruit at a much higher level athlete than now.

A non-factor in what? Too many people stupidly IMO think that the only thing that mattered is how good is your football team when evaluating possible conference affiliations. If being good in any sport is important, it is men's basketball because a team that does well in the NCAA; monetarily benefits the whole conference. Public perception of the university, geography, and political relationship with the potential conference mates are all factors that are as important as athletic prowess. Universities generally want to be grouped with similar institutions in athletics and academics. Even though a school like UT has to get almost all their athletes in school as special admits because of their academic selectivity, they still want to be associated with university with the highest of academic standards. While every university now would like to be in a regional conference to cut costs, most still do not want to give a leg up to potential competitive programs. Tulane does not want to be involved with other Louisiana schools, Memphis with Middle, SMU and others with UNT, etc. In summary, every school is going to act in their own interest and there are a vast number of issues involved with football competitiveness being only one criterion. NT is in the best position, they have ever been to be considered for other conferences. Facilities including the building of a new football stadium are turning from a big minus to a plus. The recent push to become a first tier academic institution will be of substantial help. Being the only public football playing university in the fifth biggest media market has to be very positive. Also being the third largest campus in Texas can't be ignored. Yes, NT has negatives too, but overall NT has recently make great recent strides in athletics and academics. NT is far from a non-factor in the potential conference realignment.

Actually La Tech has recently and somewhat mysteriously moved up to a tier 3 national university per US News and Report. A point that in some of their minds makes them academically superior to all the Belt teams. When NT and La Tech were both being considered for CUSA, I looked in depth at what was published academically and NT was ahead in all categories such as selectivity, average entrance exams, programs offered; I wonder how even on the severely faulted USNR ratings they have passed NT. Whatever they have done, maybe NT should copy it, I can't believe that La Tech has any more resources than NT and as ridiculous as these rankings are they do get a lot of publicity.

I thought going with Simmons in the game was surprising. Troy's Williams pitching in her third tournament game, and NT was starting their third pitcher. Williams also started today against ULL and pitched five good innings. Troy just had a hot pitcher at the right time. Simmons actually did very well until substituted leaving tied at 1 to 1. Pitching obviously was not the problem for NT, they still couldn't get to Williams, and base running was very questionable. NT should continue to build on their first winning season. They do lose their first two pitchers but have all their bats back except Waters. It has been a slow climb for the team but they seem to finally have a coaching staff that can grow the program. Recruiting looks good, but it does look like they need at least another pitcher next year. They return all conference seniors to be Martinez and Cantler as well as sophomore Johnson who should have gotten conference recognition.

Not unexpected but interesting that TSSM is making overtures to the WAC.

Does anyone know for sure if Mangrum is going to play at SMU? I hope he does, I think he can do well there. I echo the above and hope Collin will be a success in the classroom and court.

I agree, apparently Williams is about the only pitcher they use, she is 20-21 for the year. She did give up 9 hits in their last game, so maybe she is tiring. Of course, Lail for NT also pitched yesterday but NT does have a little more pitching depth than most softball teams. I know softball pitchers can seemingly pitch forever, but it has to be at least a small factor. NT did beat them 2 out of 3 in the regular season so I do also like NT's chances. Hopefully, losing the first tournament game 0-8 and being no hit can turn into a positive revenge factor for the team. I do think NT is the better team.

NT wins 5-1 with Lawson winning pitcher. NT is scheduled to play Troy at 5:30 today.

Good match by the ladies, other than doubles; the teams were really close. With all but one player back next year, NT should continue to climb.

With NT batting in bottom of sixth, 5-1 NT.

Amazing how exciting watching the live scoring is. Girls seem to be really fighting it out.

NT ahead 5-0 bottom of third. HR's by Bromley and Johnson.

Wonder if ladies had a little extra incentive with FIU dominating the all conference awards. They had pitcher of year, player of year, freshman of the year and co-coach of the year. NT has now beat them 3 out of 4 this year. Winning the tournament from the losers bracket is tough, but at least NT is still in it.

NT beat and eliminated second seed FIU 2-1. Ashley Lail was winning pitcher and Rebecca Waters went 2-3 with a hr. Martinez, Cantler and Bradshaw also had two hiits.

I appreciate your comments, it is nice to hear from someone who has been there. The facts are that the NCAA limits scholarships based on all three sports, indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country; so although the sports are different they all draw from the same group of athletes. The current ship limits are 12.6 for men and 18 for women thanks to title 9 considerations. I would hope that NT does offer the maximum. I do wonder how WKU with 10 foreigners on their men's team and eight on their women's does it and stays within the rules. What WKU and to a slightly less extent MTSU does, is fill their cross distance team with foreigners, who also dominate the distance events in track. This is a proven strategy used by many schools but it unusual to see a school like WKU who also seems to have a very deep track team. Usually those type of foreign dominated teams are thin and seldom win conference meets but do well in regional and national competition.

Lets see the football program sucks, therefore the track programs should not be criticised. My suggestion for RV to look at the program actually ties in to your comments. Note, I did not say that the team lacked coaching or dedicated atheletes. I learned a long time ago when looking at non-revenue sports that funding is often the issue. One issue you mentioned was WKU and the number of foreigners and participants they had on the team. My question is how to they do it when all teams have the same scholarship limits? It appears to me that NT a very large university sitting in the middle of the metroplex in sports that are mostly played by athletes on partial ships should be dominate. I guess my standards are too high but NT's track teams does not win enough when you consider that there are 6 championships a year. Being in the top four most years is not that great of an accomplishment when you factor in the Belt competition. Another pet peeve of mind is the seemingly focus in track of getting participants in the regionals, I like most fans could not care much less. The focus is on the conference meet as all other meets are participated in as practice or qualifying events. If NT were a regional track power then the number of regional qualifiers might be more meaningful. I do follow track as it has always been one of my favorite sports and I do appreciate the individual NT athletes but NT does IMO a poor job in these sports. For instance, it is the only sport I can think of that usually does not even announce their recruits. The lack of information makes following the team difficult. For instance, Anderson ran one of the fastest times in NT history although wind aided in the 100m and then just disappeared. If track is as poorly funded as you indicate than I hope that the budget is improved and visions of adding more teams like baseball is dropped at NT until the current sports can be maintained at a high competitive level. I do get the feeling that the track teams are more an afterthought at NT, and finishing in the top half is viewed as more than satisfactory.

USA yawn, obviously is already a member of the Belt. Now, unlike when the Belt searched for more teams and were instrumental in moving FIU and FAU into FB Division football, the Belt does not need teams just to survive. UTSA and TSUSM may not go away, but at this point it is certainly not a done deal that they make it into the FB Division. It certainly would be nice to have more geographically friendly league, however I don't remember any great rivalries being established when we were in the Southland. The closest thing NT had to a rival in that conference was NE La. My guess is a lot of the wild excitement is going to go away after UTSA actually starts playing and starts getting pounded in front of meager crowds. If in time, they are successful then they will get deserved opportunities. They do have a big advantage of being the only game in SA, but as programs like UH, TCU, SMU, Rice and NT playing in a big population center doesn't guarantee much in support in a Big 12 and Pro dominated sports state.