Who is leaving?

Andrew · May 20, 2015

At the coaches caravan Benford made it clear we are going to sign two more post players. We only have one more scholership. Is someone leaving or will one of these be another walk on? if someone is leaving who will it be?

I also liked how Mac talked up attendance at the basketball games. Hoping this year people will actually come out and support the team! It doesn't look good for potential football or basketball recruits to see such an apathetic and fickle fan base who refuses to show up to the games...

UNTFan23 · May 20, 2015

At the coaches caravan Benford made it clear we are going to sign two more post players. We only have one more scholership. Is someone leaving or will one of these be another walk on? if someone is leaving who will it be?
I also liked how Mac talked up attendance at the basketball games. Hoping this year people will actually come out and support the team! It doesn't look good for potential football or basketball recruits to see such an apathetic and fickle fan base who refuses to show up to the games...

2014-2015 - 14-17

Try not to get your hopes up too high.

Harry · May 20, 2015

I am pleased to know they are planning on adding two posts. The idea that C-USA is a guard oriented league etc didn't prove out. You need size if you want to compete in the upper division of C-USA teams in my opinion.

Andrew · May 20, 2015

2014-2015 - 14-17

Try not to get your hopes up too high.

My question is do winning seasons really bring in fans in sports? It seems 50-50 to me. there are pro and college teams who have been historically would and still had large crowds. The Cowboys have been terrible for most of the past 10 years and people still show up to their games. Either people like the sport and the team or they do not. It's pretty simple. Our football team has been terrible yet people show up....

Andrew · May 20, 2015

I am pleased to know they are planning on adding two posts. The idea that C-USA is a guard oriented league etc didn't prove out. You need size if you want to compete in the upper division of C-USA teams in my opinion.

Guards did play a major role. Sure teams like UTSA and UTEP had some size, but a lot of teams did lack solid size. It did seem like every team had length though. ODU was really long and athletic. Many of their players were between 6-5 and 6-8. Most of them could play in the post but also on the wing. We need a good mix and I am hoping we find it this year. Jordan Williams length and ability will really be missed!

Andrew · May 20, 2015

In other news CJ welcomed his son into the world today! Hoping he taps into the Jordan Williams pipeline for advice on being a father. Jordan handled it really well.

KRAM1 · May 20, 2015

At the coaches caravan Benford made it clear we are going to sign two more post players. We only have one more scholership. Is someone leaving or will one of these be another walk on? if someone is leaving who will it be?
I also liked how Mac talked up attendance at the basketball games. Hoping this year people will actually come out and support the team! It doesn't look good for potential football or basketball recruits to see such an apathetic and fickle fan base who refuses to show up to the games...

Which coaches caravan? I attended both and did not hear him say that at either...nor did I see you at either. I know you teach so unless you took a day off it would be tough for you to get to the Ft Worth event today. Maybe I missed seeing you in Gainesville last night and missed the comment about signing two more post players this year.

Personally, I would like to see that as I think young Mr. Brice will need a year or so to get up to D1/CUSA level so we can depend on him game in and game out for long stretches and not just as a freshman spot player. We will see how fast he develops soon enough.

BillySee58 · May 20, 2015

Which coaches caravan? I attended both and did not hear him say that at either...nor did I see you at either. I know you teach so unless you took a day off it would be tough for you to get to the Ft Worth event today. Maybe I missed seeing you in Gainesville last night and missed the comment about signing two more post players this year.
Personally, I would like to see that as I think young Mr. Brice will need a year or so to get up to D1/CUSA level so we can depend on him game in and game out for long stretches and not just as a freshman spot player. We will see how fast he develops soon enough.

Vito's blog

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/05/gainesville-caravan-stop-notes.html/

KRAM1 · May 20, 2015

Vito's bloghttp://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/05/gainesville-caravan-stop-notes.html/

Thanks, Billy. I did not hear him say that during the event. But, Brett was there and he talked to Coach Benford after the event as well. Perhaps that quote was from that post event chat. But, always possible I missed it as well. Definitely did not hear him say that.

But, like I said..,happy he is hunting post players.

Apologies to Andrew if he did say it during open mic time and I missed it. Thanks for posting Brett's blog. Clears it up at least...but, not Andrew's question of who us leaving I guess.

GMG24 · May 20, 2015

Andrew, yes consistent winning brings fans. Were you around when Jones was winning 20'game seasons as consistent as Mac talks about "showing up". I did, I didn't miss a Home game, had the privilege of watching the Tech game that place was rocking! I remember all the fun games back then, made the trek up 35 this year 3 times, and I wanted to drive someone off the road on the way home after all 3.

I do agree with Mac in that these recruits are visiting Sam houstons, Houston, Utep, La Tech, Rice, etc. showing them that fans come out and get loud is a big deal, but it's a 2 way street, provide something that is enjoyable to watch and root for and people show up. It's just a fact. Whether people want to acknowledge that or not is up to them. Before you use the season after our bowl win, who did we play at home? Terrible smu, La Tech (got our teeth kicked in) Nichols st, southern Miss, and the floridas. I went to SMU and had to watch all others on TV bc of coaching duties.

Edited May 20, 2015 by GMG24

Ben Gooding · May 21, 2015

Winning increases attendance in all sports at all levels.

Andrew · May 21, 2015

Which coaches caravan? I attended both and did not hear him say that at either...nor did I see you at either. I know you teach so unless you took a day off it would be tough for you to get to the Ft Worth event today. Maybe I missed seeing you in Gainesville last night and missed the comment about signing two more post players this year.
Personally, I would like to see that as I think young Mr. Brice will need a year or so to get up to D1/CUSA level so we can depend on him game in and game out for long stretches and not just as a freshman spot player. We will see how fast he develops soon enough.

I read the article Vito posted today and that's what he said Benford said in Gainesville.

Andrew · May 21, 2015

Andrew, yes consistent winning brings fans. Were you around when Jones was winning 20'game seasons as consistent as Mac talks about "showing up". I did, I didn't miss a Home game, had the privilege of watching the Tech game that place was rocking! I remember all the fun games back then, made the trek up 35 this year 3 times, and I wanted to drive someone off the road on the way home after all 3.
I do agree with Mac in that these recruits are visiting Sam houstons, Houston, Utep, La Tech, Rice, etc. showing them that fans come out and get loud is a big deal, but it's a 2 way street, provide something that is enjoyable to watch and root for and people show up. It's just a fact. Whether people want to acknowledge that or not is up to them. Before you use the season after our bowl win, who did we play at home? Terrible smu, La Tech (got our teeth kicked in) Nichols st, southern Miss, and the floridas. I went to SMU and had to watch all others on TV bc of coaching duties.

I have been going to games since the mid 90s (maybe early 90s but I cannot remember an exact date). We were awful and fans still showed up. Again I just enjoy the game. Playing and watching at any level.

I am just interested in who the two post players we are landing are, and how it's going to work out with our scholarships.

GMG24 · May 21, 2015

I would be willing to bet Mr. Harris will be exiting stage left to open a spot.

Andrew · May 21, 2015

I would be willing to bet Mr. Harris will be exiting stage left to open a spot.

Benford has know Harris since he was a kid. Harris is also one of our top players. I am not saying it is not possible, but I would hope it's not Harris. Harris also got it done in the classroom and I think he was the only player other than the walk ones to have a 3.25 or 3.5. Hopefully that bodes well for him.

I was hoping it would be Eaglin. I am comfortable losing a senior bench player.

GMG24 · May 21, 2015

But I thought Harris was a LR cancer bc he throws fits and doesn't listen and gets suspended? Aren't those the guys Benny runs off. Question no answer only saw 5 games all year, basing that off others comments

UNTFan23 · May 21, 2015

My question is do winning seasons really bring in fans in sports? It seems 50-50 to me. there are pro and college teams who have been historically would and still had large crowds. The Cowboys have been terrible for most of the past 10 years and people still show up to their games. Either people like the sport and the team or they do not. It's pretty simple. Our football team has been terrible yet people show up....

We were hitting 4,000 for many Sun Belt games late in JJ's time at NT. Coincidentally the team was also winning. Winning makes it way easier for fans to justify taking two to three hours out of their day to attend a game. Losing, not so much.

Edited May 21, 2015 by UNTFan23

Greendylan · May 21, 2015

Benford spoke quite highly of Harris yesterday and gave every indication that he will have a big role on the team next year.

Army of Dad · May 21, 2015

Benford has know Harris since he was a kid. Harris is also one of our top players. I am not saying it is not possible, but I would hope it's not Harris. Harris also got it done in the classroom and I think he was the only player other than the walk ones to have a 3.25 or 3.5. Hopefully that bodes well for him.
I was hoping it would be Eaglin. I am comfortable losing a senior bench player.

I guess I'm not surprised that you are ok with losing a senior bench player. I'm personally not a fan of running off players because they aren't as good as you would have liked or you can get a better one now. If a player has to be dismissed because he's not living up to the commitment then that's one thing (getting in trouble with the law/administration or something not related to their talent level).

If we are going to engage in speculation about roster churn then I would say what about GWP? He didn't play much, didn't play well when he did, and Benford has shown his willingness to run off freshman PGs before...

greenit · May 21, 2015

Good point.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=saKRZEMqdis

KRAM1 · May 21, 2015

I would be very surprised if Harris isn't starting or at least seeing significant playing time next season. Coach Benford has made reference to Harris during both Caravans to date. His comments were very positive, but indicated Harris must get his emotions in check and channel them in a positive way. Makes sense as Coach has called him the most athletic player on the team.

Andrew · May 21, 2015

I guess I'm not surprised that you are ok with losing a senior bench player. I'm personally not a fan of running off players because they aren't as good as you would have liked or you can get a better one now. If a player has to be dismissed because he's not living up to the commitment then that's one thing (getting in trouble with the law/administration or something not related to their talent level).
If we are going to engage in speculation about roster churn then I would say what about GWP? He didn't play much, didn't play well when he did, and Benford has shown his willingness to run off freshman PGs before...

I am not in favor of running anyone off, but his comments made it clear someone is going; unless we get another walk on big which is possible.

Pittman actually started the season and played decent against mediocre competition. I like agrees passion and his hustle on defense. I hope he stays!

I also know it is common practice to meet with every scholership player and talk about their progress and let them know if their scholership is going to continue or be revoked. They always meet one on on every year with the coach and get the run down.

Harry · May 21, 2015

I am not in favor of running anyone off, but his comments made it clear someone is going; unless we get another walk on big which is possible.
Pittman actually started the season and played decent against mediocre competition. I like agrees passion and his hustle on defense. I hope he stays!
I also know it is common practice to meet with every scholership player and talk about their progress and let them know if their scholership is going to continue or be revoked. They always meet one on on every year with the coach and get the run down.

I didn't see enough of White-Pittman to have an opinion on him.

BillySee58 · May 21, 2015

Thanks, Billy. I did not hear him say that during the event. But, Brett was there and he talked to Coach Benford after the event as well. Perhaps that quote was from that post event chat. But, always possible I missed it as well. Definitely did not hear him say that.
But, like I said..,happy he is hunting post players.
Apologies to Andrew if he did say it during open mic time and I missed it. Thanks for posting Brett's blog. Clears it up at least...but, not Andrew's question of who us leaving I guess.

Sounded like a specific question Vito would've asked.

Benford has know Harris since he was a kid. Harris is also one of our top players. I am not saying it is not possible, but I would hope it's not Harris. Harris also got it done in the classroom and I think he was the only player other than the walk ones to have a 3.25 or 3.5. Hopefully that bodes well for him.
I was hoping it would be Eaglin. I am comfortable losing a senior bench player.

A really good point was made to me yesterday. No matter who it is at this point, they are really going to be left out to dry at this stage. If they would've been told at the end of the season and had time to look around, like all those other transfers mentioned across the country, it wouldn't be as big a deal. But the odd man out here is not going to have that situation because of how late they will be getting let go if this happens.

It would make more sense for someone with more eligibility like GWP, than a senior. The senior is going to open up a scholarship after next season anyways, but a guy like GWP could still take up a scholarship on your roster for 3 years. It'll be a rough situation if it happens either way, but logically it would be the guy with more eligibility.

Edited May 21, 2015 by BillySee58

CMJ · May 21, 2015

I have been going to games since the mid 90s (maybe early 90s but I cannot remember an exact date). We were awful and fans still showed up.

I probably date to around the same time period. I believe the first game I went to was in 89ish. However, through most of the 1990's, I remember it was a good crowd if there were over 1500 people there.