DMN article on men and women NT BB

OldTimer · October 23, 2003

UNT teams hope help on way

Lady Eagles add seasoning; Mean Green embraces newcomers

09:46 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 22, 2003

By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle

NEW ORLEANS – North Texas women's basketball coach Tina Slinker has seen her team practice together only a few times, but she can already see the difference a year could make for the Lady Eagles.

UNT struggled through a learning process last season when it featured a series of young players. Several of those players will return this year to give the Lady Eagles a more experienced team.

Slinker and UNT men's coach Johnny Jones both talked about their teams' prospects Wednesday during the closing session of the Sun Belt Conference's basketball media days.

"Our young players have not only come back more confident, they are not overwhelmed like they were last year with the early morning practices and the work ethic it takes to play college basketball," Slinker said. "They have matured overall."

Whereas the UNT women will be depending on a group of veteran players, the men's team will rely largely on a talented group of newcomers.

The Mean Green lost three starters from last season's team, which struggled with injuries and lost its last seven conference games.

Lady Eagles senior forward Kim Blanton was the lone member of either UNT team to be named to the preseason all-conference team.

UNT hopes the combination of Blanton and a stronger supporting cast will help the Lady Eagles return to the top of the Sun Belt. The Lady Eagles finished fourth in the Sun Belt's West Division last season with a 6-9 record.

The UNT men will also be looking to bounce back this season after going 2-13 in Sun Belt play.

The Mean Green brought in four transfers, including Shawnson Johnson, a 6-9 forward from LSU who UNT hopes can help the team exceed expectations. The Mean Green was picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt's West Division.

"We have a lot more depth and quality players," Jones said. "The main concern I have right now is the chemistry we will have."

Briefly ...

The North Texas men's team's home game against New Mexico State on Jan. 10 and the Lady Eagles' home game against South Alabama on Feb. 28 will be broadcast as part of the Sun Belt's television package with ESPN.

E-mail bvito@dentonrc.com