aztecskin

The league slightly changed the way they did it before -- and I *think* that the ESPN PLUS ones mean they don't post the "melt" on the league-wide media server. I see the highlights for some, but usually those are the stadium ones, or the cbs sports network ones. I asked about it, but no one gave me a straight answer -- mostly because it seems they don't know. I know the staffs of both the league and a lot of teams have changed, so it might just be different now. Middle is good about posting highlights on the league site, but they didn't post one of the NT game. I think that is because it was an ESPN+ one.

That's just earning playing time. They get moments here and there -- Sissoko got time and turned it over, but grabbed one rebound. In a game where it was that tight -- McDevitt called it "semi-final like", you got to make the most of your moments, however small.

He mentioned to me that this was just to get some guys time after having played Thursday. It was exacerbated by the the foul trouble Abou was in. |So it was lineup to match MT, but they also wanted to get fresh legs in there as well.

https://meangreennation.com/comeback-at-murphy-center-north-texas-56-mtsu-51/ Also, we got the podcast coming up today sometime when I get back home.

I asked about the tactics and strategy and they said a lot if it was just playing with more energy. Mac said getting into the game with the rhythm and making small effort plays was the difference. “They won every loose ball early and we started to win those in that end of the first half”

(i realize i possibly come off sounding like a tool but I put it that here in case y’all come by and then I’m not there)

We are staying in Nashville. We'll be there tomorrow Section O Row 17 (and I'll dip down to the media section)

Tweeted about the game during -- I got some good quotes from Mac and Tylor Perry after the game. Transcribing back at the hotel and then putting them into the game recap later. The twitter thread though:

I'm here for this one. Team looks loose (in the hotel) but this late start (8pm) kind of concerns me.

I'm driving up. Then I'll be in Murfreesboro for the Middle game.

There is a difference between using the clock, and beating the buzzer with a good shot in rhythm that comes late vs running terrible offense, and chucking it up at the buzzer. https://meangreennation.com/where-is-the-offense-north-texas-46-fau-50/

The nil model is basically what some of the replies are suggesting

yeah we got a lot of small-minded, small-plans-having people here. But a lot of programs have that. The *main* difference here is that we don't have enough big time difference-makers here. Like, one billionaire from NT makes a big difference and makes all people who like to complain on the message-board even more irrelevant.

yeah I know that Grant said he wanted to push the pace more, and they haven't really. I imagine that is because of something they are seeing in practice/games where they want to get that right before doing other things. I suspect that not gelling early (because of injuries) means they are relying on the tried-and-true. I don't know that they will run n gun, though, because they deliberately chose to value each possession as a program tenet and that is kind of the DNA. I feel the new guys have to get used to where their shots are coming from and will come from and they will drop for them. When you adapt to a new system, you can be over thinking sometimes. "I'm supposed to screen, then pop, then pass the ball here, and then cut" and you don't get into the rhythm of when your shot will come and play with comfort. I think that's what we are seeing here. I agree we have more offensive talent and I touched on the journey of roster construction in the hoops preview here.

It is not just a system thing, but a familiarity thing. NT incorporated Hamlet easily, but it took him a second to adjust. NT incorporated Perry easily, but it took him a few games to adjust. NT is bringing in Eady, Martinez, and Huntsberry while also trying to heal up Rubin Jones and Perry. I think all of this is normal and fine. I don't expect NT to be clicking the way they were last year, and we have seen that. I had hoped we'd push it a little more, but they are sticking to the tried-and-true and waiting on guys to get in rhythm and knock down shots. I don't hate it and I am not panicking.

yeah caught the complimentary football bit as well. I felt like Seth caught on that a little too late. Every offensive guy has that tendency. Defensive guys too -- I was just thinking about Ryan Walters at Purdue hiring Harrell. The "three phases" thing is true -- but they do compliment each other. There were sometimes that I wished our offense would have taken the foot off the gas just to let the defense catch their breath a little.

I am from San Antonio and for many reasons UT-San Antonio Texas State (Southwest Texas State at the time) and even UT-Austin were a little too close for me to feel anything like I was going away for college. That was one of the reasons North Texas appealed to me. It was away from what I knew (but still close to civilization -- looking at you Lubbock, Waco, etc)

They are not.

I always fancy some jalapeños but up here in the middle west they call them "peppers"

Yeah there is a lot of stuff that can happen behind the scenes. Like, yesterday at. the movies I told my wife to get me some nachos while she was in line. I wasn't in line, I wasn't officially in the queue, and yet ... I was ordering up some nachos.

MGN is sending a freelancer down to SA again to cover the game. FYI. Let me know (here, elsewhere) if there are any angles we want him to cover and I'll have him work on it

I don't know that's every other Friday for me and I haven't been fired for anything (yet)

A fun fact about the Air Raid was that it was based on the BYU offense of the 80s. Lavell Edwards used the TE a ton. That “Y” position was the TE. Mike Leach and Hal Mumme used the TE a ton (along with split back sets) and it was Leach that eventually split out the TE spot to have another WR. This will be a good test of Morris’ ability. I believe you put players in the best positions to succeed. There are plenty of examples of putting TEs in the pass game and having success. If this staff can’t find a way to use Gumms and Roberts? Well they aren’t doing their job right. Beyond that TTU didn’t have a big TE tradition, and UIW didn’t have more than an H-back role. Wazzu had been an Air Raid then a Run N Shoot squad so Morris wouldn’t have had to do much TE stuff. Not the way we are thinking of it.

@Aldo was at the game and gave us his impressions, including of his picture being stolen by the AD. https://meangreennation.com/podcast/186-bowl-review-and-eric-morris-impressions/

Having dabbled in the apparel business a little I can say that it’s not hard to get an item made — but it is hard to sell it. If the university sells it it likely breaks even. If a third party tries it (I would), the increased overhead because of licensing and fees (percentage of estimated sales due immediately) means that thing needs to be a super hot seller.