GrandGreen

Having been a season ticket holder and having viewed all of Slinker's teams, I assume you are not directing that comment to me.

I assume the problems you relate don't have anything to do with recruiting and/or coaching.

Not a whole lot of interest shown here, but there are a few fans that apparently can see a positive with the two leading returning scorers both off the team. I fail to see anything good about this. At some point this coaching staff is going to have to produce.

Anyone know why Jamie Armstrong is not listed on the NT basketball roster used in Sun Belt Propectus on official Sun Belt site? Hope it is mistake and she is still on team. bblink

Another factor is perhaps the best new track performers will come from the freshmen football recruits. Stickler has the best discus toss in the state and close to the tops in the nation. Cox and Thomas have had 100 times that are better than any of the track recruits.

Wonder why there is only 1 home non-conference game scheduled before conference play begins? Games against TCU and SMU are both during middle of conference play. Looks like a very poor schedule.

Indiana all-stars Banks' 21 points propel Indiana Kentucky All-Stars commit 30 turnovers in their 13-point loss to the Hoosiers. By Kristen Leigh Porter kristen.leigh.porter@indystar.com June 20, 2004 OWENSBORO, Ky. -- During a shootaround practice Saturday before the Indiana All-Stars' 66-53 win over the Kentucky All-Stars, Janese Banks dribbled a basketball in one hand and held her Walkman in the other. She was listening to R&B artist Usher's latest, "Confessions." "It calmed me down," the former Ben Davis High School standout said. "Going into this game I wasn't nervous, but I just wanted to make sure that I was calm, that I was focused." A focused Banks turned in a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday night's victory. She also had two assists, two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes in the Indiana win. Rebekah Parker (Tippecanoe Valley) contributed 11 points and Miss Basketball Jaclyn Leininger (Warsaw) added eight points. "It is the All-Star game and it's good to have individual performances, but I'm just proud of this team. We played hard together," Banks said. The Indiana All-Stars jumped out to a 7-0 advantage, as Julie DeMuth (Merrillville) started the scoring with a 3-pointer, followed by a basket from Leininger (Warsaw) and a Banks move inside. In the meantime, Kentucky missed its first three shots and had three turnovers, prompting a timeout with 16:28 to play. "I think by getting behind, we weren't able to do some of the things that we wanted to do and take advantage of our size," Kentucky coach Donna Moir said. Indiana held a 30-22 lead at halftime after shooting 24.3 percent from the field, just slightly better than Kentucky's 23.1 percent. Ten of Kentucky's 22 points came on free throws. Kentucky closed to within 36-30 on Anitha Smith-Williams' basket with 15:47 remaining. But a 3-pointer from Gretchen Haehl (Shelbyville) sparked a 10-0 run by Indiana. Kentucky crept within 48-38 on a breakaway layup by Trish Todd but came no closer than seven points the rest of the way. "I think the main thing here tonight was the fact that our kids came out and they were tired of people saying we couldn't beat Kentucky, because this was the best team that Kentucky has put on the floor," Indiana coach Jodie Whitaker said. Indiana held a 51-49 edge on the boards, impressive considering five Kentucky players are listed as 6-foot or taller, including the 6-6 Sarah Elliot. At 6-2, Amber Jackson is Indiana's tallest player. The Brebeuf Jesuit graduate had eight rebounds and four points. "We knew it was going to be a lot of hard work and that was one of our goals, to block out and out-rebound them because that would make the game a lot easier for us," Jackson said. Indiana's defense had 24 steals and forced 30 turnovers. Kentucky Miss Basketball Crystal Kelly, a 6-3 post player, scored seven points and had nine rebounds. Todd was the only Kentucky player in double figures with 12 points. "We focused all week on the defensive end of the floor and how we were going to defend their post," Whitaker said. "I thought we did an outstanding job not only on the inside but our guards did a great job of pressuring the pass into the post." Whitaker said her team's intensity Wednesday night in a close win over the Indiana Junior All-Stars wasn't close to what it was Saturday. "We were focused from the time we left the hotel until we got here until the end of the game," Whitaker said. Indiana will meet Kentucky again at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday. Call Star reporter Kristen Leigh Porter at (317) 444-2611. INDIANA Min FG-A FT-A OR-T A F T Pts Leininger 18 2-8 4-4 2-3 0 3 3 8 Banks 29 7-20 7-8 6-11 2 1 1 21 Felke 18 0-2 0-0 0-2 1 1 1 0 Parker 26 4-7 2-4 2-3 3 3 8 11 DeMuth 18 1-7 1-2 1-6 0 4 0 4 Freeman 12 2-4 0-0 1-4 0 3 0 5 Haehl 20 1-6 0-0 2-4 2 2 3 3 Jackson 18 2-6 0-0 4-8 0 1 1 4 Miller 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 Kenney 7 0-0 3-4 0-0 0 1 0 3 Frame 8 0-1 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 Squire 10 0-7 2-2 0-1 0 1 1 2 Gugliotta 15 1-5 2-2 3-7 4 1 0 4 Team 1-2 1 Totals 20-73 22-28 22-51 12 22 20 66 Three-point shooting: 4-22, (Parker 1-1, Freeman 1-2, Haehl 1-3, DeMuth 1-4, Leininger 0-1, Gugliotta 0-1, Felke 0-2, Banks 0-4, Squire 0-4). Steals: 24 (Haehl 5, DeMuth 4, Leininger 3, Kenney 3, Banks 2, Parker 2, Gugliotta 2, Freeman, Jackson, Squire). Blocked shots: 10 (Banks 2, Felke 2, DeMuth 2, Jackson 2, Kenney, Gugliotta). KENTUCKY Min FG-A FT-A OR-T A F T Pts Kelly 31 2-6 3-4 4-9 1 4 2 7 Barlow 25 1-10 2-2 1-5 3 3 3 4 Bingham 30 4-10 0-2 1-7 0 2 5 8 Stiger 17 2-8 0-0 1-1 2 0 2 4 Todd 28 3-10 5-6 1-5 1 0 5 12 Richmond 4 0-0 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 Sellers 11 0-3 0-0 0-0 0 2 0 0 Elliot 9 2-3 2-2 1-2 0 2 3 6 Perry 11 0-4 2-2 0-4 0 3 1 2 McGrath 9 0-0 0-0 0-2 1 2 3 0 S.-Williams 13 3-5 0-0 1-2 0 1 4 6 Chiodi 12 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 1 1 2 Team 6-11 1 Totals 18-60 16-21 16-49 8 20 30 53 Three-point shooting: 1-10 (Todd 1-4, Barlow 0-1, Bingham 0-1, Stiger 0-4). Steals: 12 (Bingham 3, Todd 3, Smith-Williams 2, Kelly, Barlow, Stiger, Perry). Blocked shots: 4 (Kelly 2, Bingham, Perry). Halftime: Indiana 30, Kentucky 22. Officials: Jack Whittemore, Steve Martin, Shannon Feck.

2004 Golden West Invitational June 12, Sacramento, California Event 22 Men Discus Throw ================================================================================= GWI Meet: # 225-02 1987 Kami Keshmiri, Reno (Reno, NV) US National: $ 234-03 2001 Niklas Arrhenius, Mountain View (Orem, UT) Name Year School Finals Points ================================================================================= Finals 1 Zach Lloyd 12 W Pine El NV 64.45m 211-05 60.34m 63.36m 60.11m 63.25m 62.91m 64.45m 2 Brock Stickler 12 Lampasas (Tx) 59.95m 196-08 43.75m 57.79m 56.56m 59.08m FOUL 59.95m 3 Nate Rolfe 12 Inglmr Bl WA 59.76m 196-01 58.51m 59.63m 59.76m FOUL 56.37m 53.68m 4 Chris Rohr 12 Lee's Summit (Mo) 59.69m 195-10 FOUL FOUL 58.30m 59.69m 58.26m FOUL 5 Eddie Cornell 12 Brrghs Rc CA 58.65m 192-05 55.73m FOUL FOUL 55.51m 58.65m 58.17m 6 Matt Wauters 12 Bainbrdge WA 55.71m 182-09 55.67m 55.71m 54.84m 52.96m 53.11m 52.39m 7 Kyle Dvs-Hammerquist 12 Webb Clrm CA 54.54m 178-11 FOUL 45.61m 54.54m 53.87m 53.31m 53.52m 8 Jessie Williams Cabot (Camden, Ar) 54.33m 178-03 52.58m FOUL 54.27m 53.40m FOUL 54.33m

Quincy Williams is scheduled to play for Oklahoma team in Oil Bowl basketball game tonight Oklahoma pits stars vs Texas shooters Trey Reed, Times Record News The 2004 edition of the boy’s Oil Bowl Classic will pit the star power of Oklahoma’s A.J. Hawkins and Quincy Williams against Texas’ pure shooters and it has all the makings a high-scoring shootout. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. at Midwestern State University’s D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Hawkins and Williams anchor a very athletic Oklahoma squad hoping to build on last year’s 89-74 Sooner win. Hawkins, a nimble 6-5 guard out of Oklahoma City’s Millwood High School, is a tough match-up at the swing position with quickness and a 40-inch vertical leap. Williams (6-7, OKC Carl Albert) averaged 17.6 points per contest and 9.5 rebounds last season and is the younger brother of Duke’s Shelden Williams. Six other players standing 6-4 or taller will join the pair. The Sooners will have a clear size advantage and, with Williams and Hawkins, appear to have the edge in overall talent. But Oklahoma coach Walter Brewer had the same feeling in the recent Faith 7 All-Star game in Shawnee, Okla. “On paper, I thought our team was better,” he said. “But the Texas squad pulled it out in overtime. “I think it’s anybody’s game, because it’s an all-star game and there’s no defense.” Midway coach John Guice leads a talented group of Texas shooters into the game. “The key is getting these guys to play together as a team,” he said. “I thought Texas had the advantage last year, but lost because Oklahoma played more as a team.” Roderick Adams, a 6-1 guard from Cedar Hill, headlines a Texas roster with a decidedly local flavor. He averaged 14.6 points, 5.2 boards and 3.3 assists for the state runner-up Longhorns. He will be joined by a plethora of sharp-shooting guards in Colleyville Heritage’s Andrew Frohman (12.1 ppg.), Bridgeport’s Jacob Joiner (19 ppg.), City View’s Anthony Montoya (21.6 ppg.) and Azle’s Clarke Hale (24.8 ppg.). Wichita Falls High School’s Terrance Willis (13.0 ppg.), Mansfield Summit’s Kellen Allen (13.2 ppg., 7.0 reb.) and Azle’s Mark Phillips (14.3 ppg., 9.2 reb.) will be counted on to man the post positions.

You have a valid point about the fairness of the transfer rules. However, you would have pure chaos without the transfer rules, you would have the "elite" schools recruiting the lower level colleges and player turnover at all levels would be completely out of control.

Denver has 3 foreign players but they are the number 1,2, and 3.

No particular order Cheers Mash Mary Tyler Moore Faulty Towers Bob Newhart All in the Family Curb Your Enthusiam Frazier The Odd Couple The Wonder Years

Box score (NCAA) 2004 Sun Belt Tournament North Texas vs Western Kentucky May 13, 2004 at Lafayette, La. (Lady Cajun Park) North Texas 2 (22-55) Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Maxey, Katy p............ 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 4 Walker, Kelei cf......... 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Cranmer, Stephanie lf.... 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Waters, Susan 3b......... 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 Hacker, Mandy dp......... 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bostic, Heather 1b....... 3 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 1 Garcia, Monica rf........ 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 Chapman, Brittiny ss..... 3 0 2 1 0 1 0 3 0 Jonse, Christen c........ 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 Rodriguez, Nicole 2b/pr.. 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 Totals................... 26 2 6 1 0 4 21 16 5 Western Kentucky 0 (35-22) Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB ------------------------------------------------------ Garcia, Riley c.......... 3 0 2 0 0 0 3 2 0 Minnis, Becky pr........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pennington, Renita cf.... 3 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 2 Floyd, Shelly 2b......... 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 Rolfs, Bailey ss......... 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Richardson, Jessie rf.... 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Hansen, Sam dp........... 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Gatti, Lindsay 1b........ 3 0 1 0 0 1 7 0 0 Ballance, Jen pr........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sevco, Natasha 3b........ 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 Towns, Alana lf.......... 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lathrop, Adrienne p...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Totals................... 25 0 6 0 1 1 21 8 6 Score by Innings R H E ----------------------------------------- North Texas......... 000 011 0 - 2 6 0 Western Kentucky.... 000 000 0 - 0 6 2 ----------------------------------------- E - Pennington; Rolfs. DP - N. Texas 1. LOB - N. Texas 5; Western Ky. 6. SH - Cranmer; Jonse; Floyd. North Texas IP H R ER BB SO AB BF ----------------------------------------------- Maxey, Katy......... 7.0 6 0 0 1 1 25 27 Western Kentucky IP H R ER BB SO AB BF ----------------------------------------------- Lathrop, Adrienne... 7.0 6 2 1 0 4 26 28 Win - Maxey (16-33). Loss - Lathrop (16-9). Save - None. WP - Lathrop. Inherited runners/scored: None. Umpires - HP: James Martarona 1B: Jana Tidwell 3B: Butch Hebert Start: 1:28 pm Time: 1:36 Attendance: 69 Game notes: Game 1 of 2004 Sun Belt Softball Tournament North Texas advances to 6:30 p.m. game vs. Louisiana-Lafayette tonight Western Kentucky will play Middle Tennessee-FIU loser Friday at 11 a.m. Game: SBC1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Play-by-Play 2004 Sun Belt Tournament North Texas vs Western Kentucky - Play-by-Play May 13, 2004 at Lafayette, La. (Lady Cajun Park) Score by Innings R H E ----------------------------------------- North Texas......... 000 011 0 - 2 6 0 Western Kentucky.... 000 000 0 - 0 6 2 ----------------------------------------- North Texas starters: 4/p Maxey; 24/cf Walker; 9/lf Cranmer; 19/3b Waters; 7/dp Hacker; 17/1b Bostic; 15/rf Garcia; 23/ss Chapman; 20/c Jonse; 3/2b Rodriguez; Western Kentucky starters: 17/c Garcia; 21/cf Pennington; 5/2b Floyd; 33/ss Rolfs; 1/rf Richardson; 7/dp Hansen; 3/1b Gatti; 2/3b Sevco; 19/lf Towns; 11/p Lathrop; North Texas 1st - Maxey struck out looking. Walker flied out to cf. Cranmer lined out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Western Kentucky 1st - Garcia grounded out to ss. Pennington grounded out to 3b. Floyd grounded out to p. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. North Texas 2nd - Waters lined out to ss. Hacker grounded out to 2b. Bostic popped up to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Western Kentucky 2nd - Rolfs grounded out to 2b. Richardson grounded out to 3b. Hansen grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. North Texas 3rd - Garcia struck out swinging. Chapman struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b. Jonse grounded out to p. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Western Kentucky 3rd - Gatti struck out swinging. Sevco grounded out to p. Towns grounded out to p. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. North Texas 4th - Maxey fouled out to 1b. Walker lined out to cf. Cranmer popped up to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Western Kentucky 4th - Garcia singled up the middle. Pennington singled to left field; Garcia advanced to second. Minnis pinch ran for Garcia. Floyd out at first 3b to 2b, SAC, bunt; Pennington advanced to second; Minnis advanced to third. Rolfs reached on a fielder's choice; Pennington advanced to third; Minnis out at home ss to c. Richardson walked; Rolfs advanced to second. Hansen flied out to lf. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB. North Texas 5th - Garcia to c for Minnis. Waters popped up to ss. Hacker singled to left field. Rodriguez pinch ran for Hacker. / for Rodriguez. Rodriguez advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bostic popped up to ss. Garcia singled to left field; Rodriguez advanced to third. Chapman singled to shortstop, RBI; Garcia advanced to second; Rodriguez scored. Jonse singled to catcher; Chapman advanced to second; Garcia advanced to third. Maxey struck out swinging. 1 run, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB. Western Kentucky 5th - Hacker to dp for Rodriguez. Rodriguez to 2b. Gatti grounded out to 3b. Sevco singled to left field. Towns grounded out to 3b; Sevco advanced to second. Garcia singled up the middle; Sevco advanced to third. Pennington grounded out to p. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. North Texas 6th - Walker singled through the left side. Cranmer out at first c to 2b, SAC, bunt; Walker advanced to second. Waters reached on a fielding error by ss, advanced to second on a fielding error by cf; Walker scored, unearned. Hacker grounded out to p. Bostic flied out to cf. 1 run, 1 hit, 2 errors, 1 LOB. Western Kentucky 6th - Floyd grounded out to ss. Rolfs flied out to cf. Richardson singled to second base. Hansen grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. North Texas 7th - Garcia grounded out to 3b. Chapman singled, bunt. Jonse out at first 3b to 2b, SAC, bunt; Chapman advanced to second. Maxey grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Western Kentucky 7th - Gatti singled up the middle. Ballance pinch ran for Gatti. Sevco grounded into double play 2b to 1b; Ballance out on the play. Towns lined out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line score North Texas 2, Western Kentucky 0 (May 13, 2004 at Lafayette, La.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- North Texas......... 000 011 0 - 2 6 0 (22-55) Western Kentucky.... 000 000 0 - 0 6 2 (35-22) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: North Texas - Maxey. Western Kentucky - Lathrop. Win-Maxey(16-33) Loss-Lathrop(16-9) T-1:36 A-69 Game notes: Game 1 of 2004 Sun Belt Softball Tournament North Texas advances to 6:30 p.m. game vs. Louisiana-Lafayette tonight Western Kentucky will play Middle Tennessee-FIU loser Friday at 11 a.m. Game: SBC1

It is difficult to predict NT fortunes in basketball for 2004-5 but I believe there is a chance for an improvement. On paper it looks fairly dismal losing all our “big men” and according to most a lackluster recruiting year. The strength of the team should obviously be the guards. I hope Hopkins can stay injury free and have the big year everyone has waited for. He is capable of a MVP type of senior season. Watson and Hines should both start in a predicted 3- guard lineup. Sturns and perhaps Mitchell should provide good backup at the guard position if he can play to his potential. Then there is number 4 & 5 positions were there are no obvious starters. IMO Juniors Barnett, Harris and Thomas have all had their moments but none has shown that they are needed starter quality. Jones showed some ability toward the end of last year and maybe he can have a very up senior year like Degrate. Jones was supposed to be a better player than teammate Degrate in Juco. Maybe freshman Williams is the real deal and can be a major contributor in his first year. Both Juco forwards seem to be role players but JJ must have seen something there. Apparently judging by the pictures, Simpson can jump out of the pit and White, as Mr. Alabama basketball in HS must have talent. My projection for NT next year is a 500 season using a 4 or 5 man rotation at the posts. However if one of the “big guys” can substantially elevate their game then NT may fight for the championship.

NT wins double header against NMSU on Sunday 9-8,3-2. First Sun Belt series win for NT.

I think you are correct. The teams it helps most are the big time programs that lose undergradulates to the NBA.

Per DMN, after repeal of 5/8 rule; NT will have an additional ship to give this year.

From Sun Belt Official Site. NT has led in all sports competition updated through golf and tennis championships April 27th, 2004 North Texas and Middle Tennessee have jumped into first and second place in the 2003-04 Vic Bubas Cup standings. The standings are updated through last week's golf and tennis championships. Four Sun Belt Conference championships remain - men's and women's track & field (May 7-9), softball (May 13-15) and baseball (May 26-29).

to Men's Basketball Home Page Return to Mean Green Online Home Page Mean Green Basketball Signs Eastern Oklahoma State’s Simpson DENTON ( 4/22/04 ) – North Texas head basketball coach Johnny Jones has announced that Eastern Oklahoma State College’s Jeffrey Simpson has signed a National Letter of Intent to play with the Mean Green. A 6-8, 210-pound center, Simpson averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season, helping lead the Mountaineers to a 22-9 record and to the Region II Semifinals. Simpson shot 58 percent from the field and 62 percent at the free throw line his sophomore season. “Jeffrey brought excitement and energy to our program the past two seasons,” said Eastern Oklahoma State head coach Jimmy Voight. “We are excited that he has chosen to become a part of coach Johnny Jones’ basketball program at the University of North Texas . He can provide an inside scoring presence and can score on the low post or in transition as he runs the floor extremely well. He is a shot blocker with his length and jumping ability. He chose the University of North Texas over school such as TCU, Houston , New Mexico State and IUPUI.” “Jeffrey Simpson will be a great addition to our program,” said North Texas head coach Johnny Jones. “He has the ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor. His shot-blocking ability will give us a much needed defensive presence inside, and offensively his ability to score around the basket will help fill the vacancy left by Shawnson Johnson and Will Smith.” Simpson becomes part of the 2003-04 singing class that includes two high school standouts and two additional junior college transfers. Simpson joins Michael Sturns (North Crowley HS; Fort Worth , Tex. ), Quincy Williams (Carl Albert HS; Midwest City , Okla. ), Isaac Hines (Collin County [TX] CC; Dallas , TX ) and Chris White (Moberly Area [MO] CC; Huntsville , Ala. ) in the

Chris White is listed at 6'6 280. Seems like a stretch. Averaged 11 points and was not in the top 10 in the conference or top 2 rebounders on his team. His team also had 3 all conference players and he was not one of them. Maybe more to the story, but he does not seem to be a high level recruit.

Bill Blakeley not only complained, that is what got him fired. Back in the day, college coaches were popular guests on the sports talk shows. Bill took that opportunity more then once to lament NT's almost non existent basketball recruiting budget and what little support was available for the program. Not a wise decision to publically bash your own program if you want to stay employed. For the record, Blakeley was not very successful recruiting. His three 20 games winning seasons were largely a result of having inherited a lot of talent recruited by Gene Robbins. Fred Mitchell, Melvin Davis, Kenneth Williams, Terry Bailey, and Carl Jones were all recruited by Robbins and staff.

Some should remember that it was the plan under Helwig to concentrate on Basketball and bring it up to a championship level before football. Unfortunately, Trilli proved to be probably the poorest coach in NT history. However, I don’t believe you can blame Trilli for Jones inability to recruit in his first three years. Look at Baylor, you wouldn’t think anyone could be successful there, but the coach has done well considering the situation. Recruiting has always been a problem at NT in basketball. IMHO part of NT historical problem is that either because they don’t have the resources or have high standards but NT has not purchased players. I have heard many stories from former NT coaches about players being recruited to NT being bought by only programs. An example, a former Baylor and NBA star was headed to NT when his mother in New York City suddenly found a very good job in Waco, Texas. IMO JJ is a very good beach coach and it appears that his recruiting this year maybe much better. Unfortunely, other than giving Johnson, a two year ship for 1 semester of playing, JJ and staff recruiting thus far has been very mediocre. I don’t think anyone can suggest that Ronniger, Harris, Thomas, or Watson were highly sought recruits. DD has been successful without recruiting the blue chips but basketball is a little more difficult. With all the summer leagues and camps it is harder to find an unknown top tier player. I think Trilli was a disaster of the first order, however he did promote the program. I have seen very little of JJ and the start of practice midnight madness type of promotions have been extremely poor. Student support has been so bad that a crowd of 500 students is a big night. The coaching staff and athletic department have to step up to improve attendance. A starting time on weekdays that prohibits most fans in the metroplex from attending doesn’t help. I went to three games last year were I arrived just before or at halftime. Sorry I am not going to spend 3 hours travel to see one half of a game anymore. Also having the girls and men playing at the same time is crazy and I am surprised the women have even the small crowds that show up. In summary, it should be much easier to turn around the basketball program than football. NT basketball facilities are better, it takes only a few players to turn a team around, and even a mediocre student turnout could easily double or triple attendance.

I have never been there, but I assume that TWU's gym is much better than the Snake Pit. The objective of the two site tournament is to redue the time away from school for the players.

Brebeuf Jesuit has been accused of recruiting by other state teams. The two NT signees had to share the ball with a 6'6 freshman, who has already committed to Purdue. Obviously the two NT signees' numbers are down from the previous season, but both should be very good college players.

Erskin started a few games when the prior starter was injured at UT. He had great success comming off the bench and was in fact the high point man in a lot of their playoff games. Miller averaged 13 minutes and about 3 points and rebounds a game. Both contributed to their teams, but the question was it worth it considering they would have got a lot more minutes and touches at NT. Erskin would have ended up as one of NT all time scoring leaders. Miller would have started and probably played 30 minutes a game. Both however played for Trilli, and that was enough to make anyone transfer.