Some reasons for optimism this basketball season

Harry · June 16, 2016

· Scoring: 90.6 percent of scoring returning, Rebounds: 87.8 percent of rebounding returning

· Two members of the team closing in on 1,000 career points: Jeremy Combs has 771 and J-Mychal Reese has 711.

· North Texas went 11-7 at the Super Pit earning the 31^st winning season at home in school history in 2015-16 (13 straight winnings seasons). Tony Benford is 39-27 (.601) in games played at the Super Pit in four seasons.

· Jeremy Combs – 325 total rebounds was the sixth best mark in single-season school history and shot 60.1 percent, which was 7^th best in school history, J-Mychal Reese – 118 assists was 11^th best in single-season school history, Deckie Johnson – 73 three pointers was the fourth best in single-season school history, Rickey Brice Jr. – 36 blocks was the 10^th best mark in single-season school history.

· 12 players on the roster with Texas ties: Texas rankings out of high school

2016 rankings
No. 18 A.J Lawson

2015 rankings
No. 24 Ryan Woolridge
No. 25 Rickey Brice Jr.
No. 30 Ja’Michael Brown

2014 rankings
No. 20 Jeremy Combs

2013 rankings
No. 5 Keith Frazier

2012 rankings
No. 6 J-Mychal Reese
No. 38 Derail Green

· North Texas' 2016-17 Newcomers
A.J. Lawson -- 6-5 -- Guard -- Bryan, TX (Bryan HS)
Ryan Woolridge -- 6-3 -- Guard -- Mansfield, TX (Lake Ridge HS/San Diego)
Keith Frazier -- 6-5 -- Guard -- Dallas, TX (Kimball HS/SMU)
Shane Temara -- 6-9 -- Forward -- Syracuse, N.Y. (Angelina College)
Derail Green – 6-7 – Forward – Houston, TX (Incarnate Word/Wichita State)

TreeFiddy · June 16, 2016

Seems to easily be the best roster Benford has had since TM left.

Eagleisland · June 16, 2016

I will enjoy watching this team, if they play to their ability and mesh. I won't if that doesn't happen. In any case,

I will keep an open mind about their potential until proven otherwise this season.

GrandGreen · June 16, 2016

A lot of people are more into bashing Benford than looking at the team. This team has a solid returning nucleus and with the right combination of growth of the young players like Brice and Brown, and a hit on some of the newcomers; could be much better than many suspect.

Also add the factor which few want to admit, Benford has become a much better coach. Not hard to do based on his early years, but still it gives me some hope.

Hunter Green · June 16, 2016

1 hour ago, GrandGreen said:

A lot of people are more into bashing Benford than looking at the team. This team has a solid returning nucleus and with the right combination of growth of the young players like Brice and Brown, and a hit on some of the newcomers; could be much better than many suspect.

Also add the factor which few want to admit, Benford has become a much better coach. Not hard to do based on his early years, but still it gives me some hope.

We'll see.

eagle2014 · June 17, 2016

Reason for pessimism - Benford.

southsideguy · June 17, 2016

i love i bet his record on saturday night at home on an odd date is even better, The whole record counts home and away.

UNT90 · June 17, 2016

9 hours ago, GrandGreen said:

A lot of people are more into bashing Benford than looking at the team. This team has a solid returning nucleus and with the right combination of growth of the young players like Brice and Brown, and a hit on some of the newcomers; could be much better than many suspect.

Also add the factor which few want to admit, Benford has become a much better coach. Not hard to do based on his early years, but still it gives me some hope.

No he hasn't. His record has been worse. That's how you measure coaches.

He will coach this team into the ground... Again.

Harry · June 17, 2016

We will see how he handles some intense pressure. The new AD will be watching him closely every game.

chrisfisher · June 17, 2016

If Benford can't win with this line-up, he might as well hang up his college coaching shoes....because it ain't never going to happen.

UNTLifer · June 17, 2016

I thought the answer to the thread was Jalie Mitchell.

UNT90 · June 18, 2016

On June 17, 2016 at 6:47 AM, chrisfisher said:

If Benford can't win with this line-up, he might as well hang up his college coaching shoes....because it ain't never going to happen.

He didn't win with 2012's lineup in an inferior conference.

Hopefully he is let go the day after the new AD is named.

Matt from A700 · June 18, 2016

Crazy that the Mean Green went 11-7 at home last year despite losing all three games in a tournament played at home where the best team was the Troy Condoms.

UNT90 · June 19, 2016

On June 18, 2016 at 2:53 PM, Matt from A700 said:

Crazy that the Mean Green went 11-7 at home last year despite losing all three games in a tournament played at home where the best team was the Troy Condoms.

Crazy that UNT could only win one, count it, one, road game.

Benford is the DMac of UNT basketball.