The MBB cupboard is not bare

GrandGreen · February 10, 2017

On the last GMG podcast, Vito made a comment that the MBB team is losing a lot of players this year. Actually, they are not. NT loses 4 senors; starter Reese, part time starter Green, Frazier and Johnson. Frazier never was a factor, and Johnson has been ineffective for most of the year because of injuries.

The new coach will have the opposite problem. NT will return 9 lettermen and has already signed two recruits. That only leaves 2 open ships. Of course, there could be major turnover in this group but Benford is leaving some very good players despite the record.

First of course, the best player on the team and one of the best in the conference if he fully recovers from his injuries, Combs. In his sophomore year, he averaged a double double at 14.9 ppg and 10.5 rbs.

The most exciting thing on the current team is the freshman guard tandem of Woolridge and Lawson. These are high energy, high ceiling guys: Lawson is averaging 11 ppg and 4.3 rbs and Woolridge 8.7ppg and 4.3 rbs.

Also coming on strong in the absence of Combs, is senior to be 6'9" Temara. Averaging 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rb, but since the departure of Combs; those numbers are up to 11 ppg and 7.5 rbs.

Other currently active players include juniors to be: Brice, Brown, and Holston. Brice at 7'1" hasn't make the progress you would like in his second year, but maybe with the right coach and another year experience; he could tap into more of that potential. Brown's numbers are down from last year, but he can be deadly with the 3 pointer. Holston is the defensive ace and because of the current lack of front court players, has been playing a lot at the 4. A very versatile player that if he could further develop his offensive game, would definitely be an asset.

White-Pittman and Fuller are injury red shirts this year.

Add in the recruits, Simmons and Wainright. Simmons (6'9") a recent player of the week from Cedar Hill, the number 4 team in the state. At the time he was named POW he was averaging 16 pts, 12 rbs and 6 blocks. If he had not already signed with NT; he would be one of the most sought after recruits in the state. Wainright a 6'4 guard is averaging 15.1 ppg and 4.8 rbs for the 20-4 Trinity Valley JC.

I strongly believe that if the new coach can keep the nucleus of this team and add a few players that NT could quickly turn this program around.

FirefightnRick · February 11, 2017

Agree and I'm hearing this from others as well. Plus GG, as you mentioned earlier in the season...(first of January I think it was)...how well we looked in a game when Benford had to give extended PT due to early fouls and an injury.

There's no telling how good a team we could have if we just had some actual coaching going on.

Rick

untjim1995 · February 11, 2017

With hoops, it takes one guy and a solid supporting cast. We could easily rebuild here within a few years with the right coach and staff.

I saw Jankovich turn around a 5 win team into one that almost made the NCAA Tournament in one year. Johnny Jones got us to .500 after Trilli left him a 4-win team in year one.

Going from bad to average can be achieved fairly quickly. It's going from average to good that is the longer process.

GMG24 · February 12, 2017

On 2/10/2017 at 10:54 AM, GrandGreen said:

On the last GMG podcast, Vito made a comment that the MBB team is losing a lot of players this year. Actually, they are not. NT loses 4 senors; starter Reese, part time starter Green, Frazier and Johnson. Frazier never was a factor, and Johnson has been ineffective for most of the year because of injuries.

The new coach will have the opposite problem. NT will return 9 lettermen and has already signed two recruits. That only leaves 2 open ships. Of course, there could be major turnover in this group but Benford is leaving some very good players despite the record.

First of course, the best player on the team and one of the best in the conference if he fully recovers from his injuries, Combs. In his sophomore year, he averaged a double double at 14.9 ppg and 10.5 rbs.

The most exciting thing on the current team is the freshman guard tandem of Woolridge and Lawson. These are high energy, high ceiling guys: Lawson is averaging 11 ppg and 4.3 rbs and Woolridge 8.7ppg and 4.3 rbs.

Also coming on strong in the absence of Combs, is senior to be 6'9" Temara. Averaging 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rb, but since the departure of Combs; those numbers are up to 11 ppg and 7.5 rbs.

Other currently active players include juniors to be: Brice, Brown, and Holston. Brice at 7'1" hasn't make the progress you would like in his second year, but maybe with the right coach and another year experience; he could tap into more of that potential. Brown's numbers are down from last year, but he can be deadly with the 3 pointer. Holston is the defensive ace and because of the current lack of front court players, has been playing a lot at the 4. A very versatile player that if he could further develop his offensive game, would definitely be an asset.

White-Pittman and Fuller are injury red shirts this year.

Add in the recruits, Simmons and Wainright. Simmons (6'9") a recent player of the week from Cedar Hill, the number 4 team in the state. At the time he was named POW he was averaging 16 pts, 12 rbs and 6 blocks. If he had not already signed with NT; he would be one of the most sought after recruits in the state. Wainright a 6'4 guard is averaging 15.1 ppg and 4.8 rbs for the 20-4 Trinity Valley JC.

I strongly believe that if the new coach can keep the nucleus of this team and add a few players that NT could quickly turn this program around.

Frazier is a possible medical Red Shirt should he/UNT choose to do so

BillySee58 · February 13, 2017

LIke GMG24 said, Frazier is eligible for a medical redshirt if he wants to pursue that. Let's say he did and he wants to make the most out of his last college basketball opportunity, and no one transfers out. Here is what our lineup could look like.

Starting lineup:

PG - RS SO Ryan Woolridge

SG - SO AJ Lawson

SF - RS SR Keith Frazier

PF - SR Jeremy Combs

C - JR Rickey Brice

2nd unit:

6th man/PG/SG - JR Jamichael Brown

SG/SF - JR Amaad Wainwright

SF - JR Allante Holston

PF - SR Shane Temara

PF/C - FR Zach Simmons

Rest of bench:

PF/C - RS SO Khalil Fuller

PG/SG - RS JR/SR Greg White-Pittman

One spot for a signee by the new coach

That has the makings of a pretty decent roster if the new coach can, well, actually coach.

Edited February 13, 2017 by BillySee58

GMG24 · February 13, 2017

38 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

LIke GMG24 said, Frazier is eligible for a medical redshirt if he wants to pursue that. Let's say he did and he wants to make the most out of his last college basketball opportunity, and no one transfers out. Here is what our lineup could look like.

Starting lineup:

PG - RS SO Ryan Woolridge

SG - SO AJ Lawson

SF - RS SR Keith Frazier

PF - SR Jeremy Combs

C - JR Rickey Brice

2nd unit:

6th man/PG/SG - JR Jamichael Brown

SG/SF - JR Amaad Wainwright

SF - JR Allante Holston

PF - SR Shane Temara

PF/C - FR Zach Simmons

Rest of bench:

PF/C - RS SO Khalil Fuller

PG/SG - RS JR/SR Greg White-Pittman

One spot for a signee by the new coach

That has the makings of a pretty decent roster if the new coach can, well, actually coach.

I'd personally like to switch Brice and Holston. Add athleticism sacrifice size, group effort on defensive rebounding and you have one VERY hard to guard group on offensive end.

Rudy · February 13, 2017

Well, the cupboard is bare in the fan department.

Harry · February 13, 2017

Agree 100%. Good post @GrandGreen

GMG24 · February 13, 2017

Someone stalking me, and throwing -1s like I care about their opinion, come out and just quote me and add your opinion. Don't hide ;)

Edited February 13, 2017 by GMG24

97and03 · February 13, 2017

1 hour ago, GMG24 said:

Someone stalking me, and throwing -1s like I care about their opinion, come out and just quote me and add your opinion. Don't hide ;)

Don't know/care about the other -1s, but giving you one for bitching about -1s. I mean, that is basically automatic around here.

GMG24 · February 13, 2017

8 hours ago, 97and03 said:

Don't know/care about the other -1s, but giving you one for bitching about -1s. I mean, that is basically automatic around here.

That is fine.