Cooley

No one insulted and/or disparaged JJ. Of course, you have that down pretty well. My opinion remains the same. With the talent these kid had prior to coming to UNT and JJ's so called development, these guys (or a number of them) should be on someone's roster in the NBA. There's was no appreciable improvement in their games other than the normal gained experience from being an upper classman and body growth. Yes, JJ did just roll the ball out there and let them play many times. I've haven't bashed Benford nearly as much here as many and certainly can't bash JJ. He was/is a good recruiter and players seem to like to play for him. No more, no less As for hoops, I'm certainly not in my prime anymore but I've actually played more competitive games (and damn good) than I have witnessed in the stands. I do think that helps me evaluate talent where I don't have to rely heavily on box score stats, magazine write ups and video's. I can't begin to tell you how often stats are misleading. Heck, it may even land Derek Thompson in the UNT HOF.

I thought I read where y'all were meeting up for game in LA. (UNT) during a tournament out there. Maybe someone else. That would be an interesting thread. Who do you feel like you are most connected to on this board despite never meeting them?

Sorry if I left the impression that you did. I know you guys are buds but it ok.

That's why it is called an opinion CMJ. And help me find the post where I have ever professed to know anymore than anyone else on here. Or, where I felt so damn smart, intelligent or knowledgeable where I felt compelled to call someone's post stupid? The arrogance of some people.

I expressed a basketball opinion without bashing anyone. Folks just have to respectfully disagree or don't comment. I don't need some box score analyst telling me what I just saw at a ball game. I don't agree with half the stuff I read on here but I don't chime in unnecessarily and call somebody or post stupid or dumb. To hell with him! I'm sorry Kram!

You tell me yours!!! You didn't see any of these guys until they got to UNT. (Mr. Stat Guy) How did they improve their shooting, rebounding, passing etc. when they already had that exact skill when they got herel? Stop reading box scores so much and go to a damn game! The fact that you have to get personal tells me that you have a very weak argument. JJ has been known as a recruiter for years. If he was good at developing players he would have been gone long time ago. Again, tell me what skills they improved upon that they didn't already have when they came here? (Don't think they track that in the box scores)

If he adds that 15-20 I like him at NG where he is now. We've moved a step closer to the Big Uglies at Trinity

???

Tristan Thompson and Leonard Hopkins were two of the best High School players in the state Texas. Thompson (All-Stater @ Angleton HS) almost single handedly defeated a much better Dallas SOC team in the state semi's his senior year; with 37 points. He averaged about 28 ppg. Hopkins was the "BEST" sophomore in Texas with Brian Boddicker (Duncanville & UT) before his leg injury his junior and senior season. No way could UNT touch him after his sophomore season in HS. Jerome Rogers was one of the better quick guards in Dallas and won a state championship his senior year @ Dallas Madison. Alzee was a very good playmaking point guard (at 6-2 with very long dreads) at Dallas Carter his Soph & Junior season; before transferring to Dallas Lincoln during his senior year. Paired with Brockeith Payne (UH & Utah St) and Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) to form one of the better backcourts to come through Dallas in recent history. These guys didn't get better under JJ as they were already good/great players. Michael Sturns was one of the better players in Ft Worth (N. Crowley) and I was pleasantly surprised that we got him. These guys didn't do anything at UNT that they didn't do in HS. Hogan was a key contributor his freshman year. Actually, regressed his senior year, in my opinion. I didn't see the other out of state kids in high school so I can't say that they got better. I do know that Quincy Williams was a very good player out of OK. Again, no improvement under JJ but played to their abilities.

We didn't have Gaines or Coleman when he signed with us. We also didn't know what we were getting in Benford. As a project at Hill Junior College, you don't go to a top SEC school to get better. You get better by playing. You also don't get much better when you are already a junior. Don't remember many players getting better under JJ, who was a recruiter.

Have now seen LSU a few games now and Odoh is solidly buried on the bench. Things won't improve for him next year when 7-0 Elbert Robinson (Lakeview Centennial) joins the team. I know he committed to JJ instead of UNT but I hate when kids continue to make bonehead decisions. I guess it was the right thing for Benford to do to release him but I still feel he is better than what we have at center.

No disrespect to the alums that came on board in the 80's, 90's and later but I don't know why or how you can weigh in on any "Best of All-Time" discussions. I don't go back as far as Grand and others, but they are the only posters qualified to comment on these subjects. I'm as happy and proud as any with the past season and HOD win but this team doesn't compare with the team's under Fry in the 70's. I'm very familiar with the team's and talent GrandGreen mentioned from the late 60's. There is a reason why the majority of the national media still remembers "North Texas State" instead of UNT or North Texas.

We obviously will have to wait until all signees are known but to continue to go class after class without dominate defensive linemen will keep Mac a .500 coach. At this point, I'm convinced that we will have enough bodies to run out on the field. Are any of these guys possible all league performers? Yes, some of these guys will start and play more than others. That does not make them impact guys. I'm fine with being ripped all day long but I will be disappointed if this coaching staff can't land the occasional enforcer up front.

So we raided Southwest Texas State again. Looks like a good prospect down the road but this team needs some serious impact line play right away.

Another opportunity for another DL? Mac needs to be fired if he doesn't close the deal in a "very big" way; with these few ships. Looks like Howard Wilson (DeSoto flipped from La Tech. I liked him.

That would be too bad. He would be in their pass rushing rotation and a solid starter here. Why not get a head start in the Dallas Job market where the majority of Dallas area kids end back up. The new AAC is not a strong football conference. He would still get to play in Houston at least twice during his playing days be one hour from home. UH is more established having been In the SWC. Why not come here to help continue something special. Oh well!

Man how times have changed. I remember having to wait to open the Thursday morning paper (Dallas Morning News) or Thursday afternoon's Dallas Times Herald to learn who signed with North Texas State the previous day. Occasionally, a few prospects would tell the paper ahead of time but 90% of the signees were not known until the following day. On the actual signing day, I would listen to Max Emfinger on the evening sports radio shows but they barely covered North Texas. Their were no Rivals, Scouts or ESPN reports to review. Of course there was no internet or even personal computers. The coaches had to actually go to the homes or schools to get the kids signitures. (Faxes were not around) There were no Hudl or You tube video. You either had to have seen the kids in person or wait till the fall to determine if they could play. Don't know if this is intrusion today with Twitter and Facebook but it was kind of fun being surprised with the class.

Absolutely remarkable that he never got hurt in 3 years at 5-6, 145

Stupid comes to my mind! I don't have a problem with extending the man but shouldn't he at least reach .500 before we discuss a lifetime contract? Everyone knows that this program had been down for a while; in part because of the lack of head coach experience from the guys running the show (and on shoe string budgets) We need to stop fearing that Mac is the only coach in America we can attract to improve upon the past 1-2 win seasons by going 5-7, 4-8 and then 9-4 (n a bad league); with someone else's recruits. He is deserving of an extension and some extra movie passes. History has shown that long-term contracts are not healthy. (Especially at North Texas) In terms of some better teams and seasons, Hayden Fry compiled the following record. (In the dual role of AD; due to budget issues) 1975 North Texas State 7–4 1976 North Texas State 7–4 1977 North Texas State 10–1 16th National Ranking 1978 North Texas State 9–2 North Texas: 40–23 Tied for 1st in the Mo Valley in 1973. Some of the more notable (HOF) players and recruiting was done under Fry; while playing at Fouts with 20k less students in a town of only 40K. residents.

Mac does not yet have a winning record at UNT (or overall)

The play of the defensive line all year. Far exceeded my expectations coming into the season and set the tone for a good CUSA defense overall.

Things are opening up nicely for the kid from Commerce...

He did look much larger at the end of the season than at any other time. I think Bellazin (sp) was around 230 coming out of Everman

Unfortunately, their huge egos (or parents and handlers) lead them to the highest offer. As you so correctly pointed out, most would find playing time and happiness at a mid-major. Marcus Trice realized this early enough to transfer to a program where he could play and excel. I highly doubt that Zach Orr would have had a fraction of his success in the Big 12 or SEC. Goree could excel at a larger school or be just another receiver in a core of WR's in the PAC 10. He has a greater chance for all-conference honors at a mid-major. My nephew's son is a 6-1, 268 lb 8th grade DT. (and good) When I mentioned to him that I wanted him to consider UNT in Denton, my nephew and my sister stated that they wanted to hear from Alabama or similar. Anyway, it is refreshing for kids to sign where they feel they will be happiest and not concern themselves with impressing others.

Didn't locate when the HOD game will be played. So we are now up to 40 bowl games; where only about 46 schools don't go to a bowl. I remember our 9-1 team in 1975 (ranked 17th during the season) that wasn't invited to one of the 10 or so bowls during that time. Don't know what's worse, the number of college bowl games or 4 high school teams going to the playoffs in each district (with 2 state champs in the upper classifications)