McNeese makes the Dance

[CMJ]

Another team we lost to punches their ticket in.  They're likely gonna be a 12 or 13 seed in the tourney.

[GMG_Dallas]

If Utah State makes in it as well, we should advertise that to potential future OOC opponents.

100% of teams who beat us in OOC play make the big dance. That's how well playing us will prepare you! Want to make the tournament? Book your game with North Texas today!

[greenminer]

  On 3/13/2025 at 1:18 AM, GMG_Dallas said:

If Utah State makes in it as well, we should advertise that to potential future OOC opponents.

100% of teams who beat us in OOC play make the big dance. That's how well playing us will prepare you! Want to make the tournament? Book your game with North Texas today!

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I think we had, like, a 5 year run under Dickey were one of our OOC foes went on to win the national title.  Or maybe it was, win the national title = play UNT the next year?

Whatever it was, ....what a beating.

[NorthTexasWeLove]

  On 3/13/2025 at 1:18 AM, GMG_Dallas said:

If Utah State makes in it as well, we should advertise that to potential future OOC opponents.

100% of teams who beat us in OOC play make the big dance. That's how well playing us will prepare you! Want to make the tournament? Book your game with North Texas today!

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Utah State is an at large lock. 

[untjim1995]

What we need to do is get to where losing to North Texas is like losing to Utah State or Wichita State, programs whose names aren't looked down upon by fans and media. Gonzaga, St. Mary's, San Francisco, San Diego State, Utah State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Temple, Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, George Mason, VCU, Richmond, St. Louis, Dayton, Loyola Chicago, and UAB are all examples of programs that Power teams in the Big East, big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC can lose to, and it doesn't ruin their chances at postseason bids.

Once you can get a status like that, then you can get games at the Super Pit that can actually help your cause. Assuming, of course, that you have an AD and basketball coach who want those games here.

[emmitt01]

  18 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

What we need to do is get to where losing to North Texas is like losing to Utah State or Wichita State, programs whose names aren't looked down upon by fans and media. Gonzaga, St. Mary's, San Francisco, San Diego State, Utah State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Temple, Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, George Mason, VCU, Richmond, St. Louis, Dayton, Loyola Chicago, and UAB are all examples of programs that Power teams in the Big East, big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC can lose to, and it doesn't ruin their chances at postseason bids.

Once you can get a status like that, then you can get games at the Super Pit that can actually help your cause. Assuming, of course, that you have an AD and basketball coach who want those games here.

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Losing to the teams in bold is DEFINITELY worse for your chances of postseason play than losing to North Texas.  

 

I get it, Denton doesn't love us and nobody respects poor ol' UNT...but let's not let hyperbole take the place of reality

[NorthTexasWeLove]

  18 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

What we need to do is get to where losing to North Texas is like losing to Utah State or Wichita State, programs whose names aren't looked down upon by fans and media. Gonzaga, St. Mary's, San Francisco, San Diego State, Utah State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Temple, Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, George Mason, VCU, Richmond, St. Louis, Dayton, Loyola Chicago, and UAB are all examples of programs that Power teams in the Big East, big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC can lose to, and it doesn't ruin their chances at postseason bids.

Once you can get a status like that, then you can get games at the Super Pit that can actually help your cause. Assuming, of course, that you have an AD and basketball coach who want those games here.

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I understand the sentiment. But you have teams listed that do not have the pedigree you're referencing. 

[MeanGreenTexan]

  18 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

What we need to do is get to where losing to North Texas is like losing to Utah State or Wichita State, programs whose names aren't looked down upon by fans and media. Gonzaga, St. Mary's, San Francisco, San Diego State, Utah State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Temple, Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, George Mason, VCU, Richmond, St. Louis, Dayton, Loyola Chicago, and UAB are all examples of programs that Power teams in the Big East, big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC can lose to, and it doesn't ruin their chances at postseason bids.

Once you can get a status like that, then you can get games at the Super Pit that can actually help your cause. Assuming, of course, that you have an AD and basketball coach who want those games here.

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Apparently I'm gonna have to die on this hill, and I will...   BASKETBALL PEOPLE KNOW NORTH TEXAS.

I can get Gonzaga, StMary's, & the top-tier A-10 schools (probably the most-respected mid-major conference) & top-tier MWC schools (probably the 2nd most-respected mid-major).
But how are we thinking that teams like Richmond, UAB, Wyoming, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, & UAB are looked upon more highly by basketball people than UNT right now?   I'm interested why you included USF in there, because their recent rise is basically IDENTICAL to ours, without our level of postseason success.

A lot of those teams can feast on somewhat-recent postseason success as well.  Heck, throw FAU in that group as well.  Why not include them?   Maybe because you're a UNT fan & you understand their drop after coach May's departure.
In the same way, there's a big difference between March Madness/casual fan perception VS NCAA Basketball people knowledge.

Edited 15 hours ago by MeanGreenTexan

[UNTLifer]

  18 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

What we need to do is get to where losing to North Texas is like losing to Utah State or Wichita State, programs whose names aren't looked down upon by fans and media. Gonzaga, St. Mary's, San Francisco, San Diego State, Utah State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Temple, Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, George Mason, VCU, Richmond, St. Louis, Dayton, Loyola Chicago, and UAB are all examples of programs that Power teams in the Big East, big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC can lose to, and it doesn't ruin their chances at postseason bids.

Once you can get a status like that, then you can get games at the Super Pit that can actually help your cause. Assuming, of course, that you have an AD and basketball coach who want those games here.

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Holy shit, I dream of the day we get status like Wyoming, Tulane, Charlotte, etc.  Please put the bottle down.

[NT80]

  15 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Apparently I'm gonna have to die on this hill, and I will...   BASKETBALL PEOPLE KNOW NORTH TEXAS.

I can get Gonzaga, StMary's, & the top-tier A-10 schools (probably the most-respected mid-major conference) & top-tier MWC schools (probably the 2nd most-respected mid-major).
But how are we thinking that teams like Richmond, UAB, Wyoming, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, & UAB are looked upon more highly by basketball people than UNT right now?   I'm interested why you included USF in there, because their recent rise is basically IDENTICAL to ours, without our level of postseason success.

A lot of those teams can feast on somewhat-recent postseason success as well.  Heck, throw FAU in that group as well.  Why not include them?   Maybe because you're a UNT fan & you understand their drop after coach May's departure.
In the same way, there's a big difference between March Madness/casual fan perception VS NCAA Basketball people knowledge.

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Historically we've not had any postseason success until just recently.  You're forgetting how awful we were in the 5 years Benford was here before Grant.  Also, we had never won a post season men's game before Grant.   True basketball people will also remember how bad we've been.  FAU is not a recognized basketball power because of one final four appearance.  It takes multiple times of success.

[untjim1995]

  15 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Apparently I'm gonna have to die on this hill, and I will...   BASKETBALL PEOPLE KNOW NORTH TEXAS.

I can get Gonzaga, StMary's, & the top-tier A-10 schools (probably the most-respected mid-major conference) & top-tier MWC schools (probably the 2nd most-respected mid-major).
But how are we thinking that teams like Richmond, UAB, Wyoming, Tulane, Tulsa, Charlotte, Old Dominion, & UAB are looked upon more highly by basketball people than UNT right now?   I'm interested why you included USF in there, because their recent rise is basically IDENTICAL to ours, without our level of postseason success.

A lot of those teams can feast on somewhat-recent postseason success as well.  Heck, throw FAU in that group as well.  Why not include them?   Maybe because you're a UNT fan & you understand their drop after coach May's departure.
In the same way, there's a big difference between March Madness/casual fan perception VS NCAA Basketball people knowledge.

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I went back to 2020 and ran thru this season, so basically 6 seasons worth of OOC home games to see what the schedules look like for us and San Francisco. I mean, USF has played in the WCC, so I'm not counting games with their conference mates like Gonzaga or St. Mary's. USF has played OOC games in San Francisco against Memphis, Minnesota, Arizona State (twice), Cal, Nevada, and UNLV. In contrast, we have played in OOC games while in CUSA and the AAC, Oregon State who is now in the WCC with USF, and Oklahoma as marquee home games. 

I mean all I ever read on here is how these big names won't come here to play, but a team whose coach did so well that he is now coaching #4 Florida, from a better league than ours, has still managed to get MUCH better home games for their fans than ours. So, its either their name carries weight with other programs to go and play there and risk losing, which was my original point, or the ADs at UNT are so ridiculously bad at scheduling that we don't even ATTEMPT to really get decent teams here ever. Its hard to fathom that the team that won the CBI, NIT, and a game in the NCAA Tournament within the last decade cannot get decent teams here, while a team like USF that has not done anything as accomplished recently as you mentioned, can still get those teams to visit them. 

[MeanGreenTexan]

  15 hours ago, NT80 said:

Historically we've not had any postseason success until just recently.  You're forgetting how awful we were in the 5 years Benford was here before Grant.  Also, we had never won a post season men's game before Grant.   True basketball people will also remember how bad we've been.  FAU is not a recognized basketball power because of one final four appearance.  It takes multiple times of success.

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We're on our second coach since the Benford disaster that ended 8 years ago.   It's OK to bury that awful part of our history.  I highly doubt basketball people are just going to look past 7 years of success to zero in on Benford's tenure (just NT fans). 
But heck, we had some success during JJ's era prior to Benford, so it's not like we've always been hot garbage.

[untjim1995]

  15 hours ago, emmitt01 said:

Losing to the teams in bold is DEFINITELY worse for your chances of postseason play than losing to North Texas.  

 

I get it, Denton doesn't love us and nobody respects poor ol' UNT...but let's not let hyperbole take the place of reality

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Tulsa and Charlotte have great histories--they never lack for good teams coming to play them even at their places. And Tulane doesn't have the same success, but people will play them.

[MeanGreenTexan]

  15 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

I went back to 2020 and ran thru this season, so basically 6 seasons worth of OOC home games to see what the schedules look like for us and San Francisco. I mean, USF has played in the WCC, so I'm not counting games with their conference mates like Gonzaga or St. Mary's. USF has played OOC games in San Francisco against Memphis, Minnesota, Arizona State (twice), Cal, Nevada, and UNLV. In contrast, we have played in OOC games while in CUSA and the AAC, Oregon State who is now in the WCC with USF, and Oklahoma as marquee home games. 

I mean all I ever read on here is how these big names won't come here to play, but a team whose coach did so well that he is now coaching #4 Florida, from a better league than ours, has still managed to get MUCH better home games for their fans than ours. So, its either their name carries weight with other programs to go and play there and risk losing, which was my original point, or the ADs at UNT are so ridiculously bad at scheduling that we don't even ATTEMPT to really get decent teams here ever. Its hard to fathom that the team that won the CBI, NIT, and a game in the NCAA Tournament within the last decade cannot get decent teams here, while a team like USF that has not done anything as accomplished recently as you mentioned, can still get those teams to visit them. 

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[GMG_Dallas]

  14 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

Tulsa and Charlotte have great histories--they never lack for good teams coming to play them even at their places. And Tulane doesn't have the same success, but people will play them.

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Charlotte high majors OOC opponents by season:

24-25: none

23-24: UCF, Duke

22-23: none

21-22: Arkansas, Wake Forest

20-21: none

19-20: Wake Forest

Tulsa high majors OOC opponents by season:

24-25: Oklahoma State, UCF

23-24: Oklahoma State

22-23: Oklahoma State, Oregon State

21-22: Oregon State, Utah

20-21: TCU, South Carolina

19-20: Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Arkansas

Our OOC scheduling needs to get better but you picked some pretty poor schools to compare to.

[NorthTexasWeLove]

  15 hours ago, untjim1995 said:

I went back to 2020 and ran thru this season, so basically 6 seasons worth of OOC home games to see what the schedules look like for us and San Francisco. I mean, USF has played in the WCC, so I'm not counting games with their conference mates like Gonzaga or St. Mary's. USF has played OOC games in San Francisco against Memphis, Minnesota, Arizona State (twice), Cal, Nevada, and UNLV. In contrast, we have played in OOC games while in CUSA and the AAC, Oregon State who is now in the WCC with USF, and Oklahoma as marquee home games. 

I mean all I ever read on here is how these big names won't come here to play, but a team whose coach did so well that he is now coaching #4 Florida, from a better league than ours, has still managed to get MUCH better home games for their fans than ours. So, its either their name carries weight with other programs to go and play there and risk losing, which was my original point, or the ADs at UNT are so ridiculously bad at scheduling that we don't even ATTEMPT to really get decent teams here ever. Its hard to fathom that the team that won the CBI, NIT, and a game in the NCAA Tournament within the last decade cannot get decent teams here, while a team like USF that has not done anything as accomplished recently as you mentioned, can still get those teams to visit them. 

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Definitely this

[untjim1995]

  11 hours ago, GMG_Dallas said:

Charlotte high majors OOC opponents by season:

24-25: none

23-24: UCF, Duke

22-23: none

21-22: Arkansas, Wake Forest

20-21: none

19-20: Wake Forest

Tulsa high majors OOC opponents by season:

24-25: Oklahoma State, UCF

23-24: Oklahoma State

22-23: Oklahoma State, Oregon State

21-22: Oregon State, Utah

20-21: TCU, South Carolina

19-20: Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Arkansas

Our OOC scheduling needs to get better but you picked some pretty poor schools to compare to.

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I’d take Tulsa’s OOC schedule in that same time frame you listed and play it here at UNT every day of the week. Sure, Charlotte may not be much more than us, but they’ve been to a Final Four in their history and used to be a damn good program in the original CUSA. 

[NT80]

  15 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

We're on our second coach since the Benford disaster that ended 8 years ago.   It's OK to bury that awful part of our history.  I highly doubt basketball people are just going to look past 7 years of success to zero in on Benford's tenure (just NT fans). 
But heck, we had some success during JJ's era prior to Benford, so it's not like we've always been hot garbage.

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Real "basketball people" will be familiar with a program's history beyond the last 7 years, otherwise they are not basketball people.   Our first 3 NCAA Tourney games before Grant were not close.

Edited 8 hours ago by NT80

[CMJ]

  8 hours ago, NT80 said:

Real "basketball people" will be familiar with a program's history beyond the last 7 years, otherwise they are not basketball people.   We had exactly one (1) other NCAA Tourney game (JJ) before Grant, and it wasn't close.

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Maybe I'm confused....do you mean we had one appearance before JJ?  Because we did under Gales, then Jones took us twice.

[MeanGreenTexan]

  8 hours ago, NT80 said:

Real "basketball people" will be familiar with a program's history beyond the last 7 years, otherwise they are not basketball people.   We had exactly one (1) other NCAA Tourney game (JJ) before Grant, and it wasn't close.

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I think you’re confusing serious UNT fans with people who are paying serious (not just casual) attention to NCAA basketball.   There’s a difference in that direction as well.

I’ll grant you history means something.  But I’m not trying to pretend UNT is a blueblood.   I’m just saying that we don’t have to match up with a bunch of name brand schools in order to be seen by people who know about basketball.  Keep winning games playing within our identity, and people can’t help but notice.   If we’re lucky enough to make a sweet 16 run, we get more casual fans to notice as well.

[NT80]

  8 hours ago, CMJ said:

Maybe I'm confused....do you mean we had one appearance before JJ?  Because we did under Gales, then Jones took us twice.

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Yes, lol, I was thinking of the Gales version of the Tourney game (Deon Hunter).  JJ took us twice.

Year	Seed	Round	Opponent	Result
1988	#15	First Round	#2 North Carolina	L 65–83
2007	#15	First Round	#2 Memphis	L 58–73
2010	#15	First Round	#2 Kansas State	L 62–82
2021	#13	First Round Second Round	#4 Purdue #5 Villanova	W 78–69 L 61–84

 

[NT80]

  8 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

I think you’re confusing serious UNT fans with people who are paying serious (not just casual) attention to NCAA basketball.   There’s a difference in that direction as well.

I’ll grant you history means something.  But I’m not trying to pretend UNT is a blueblood.   I’m just saying that we don’t have to match up with a bunch of name brand schools in order to be seen by people who know about basketball.  Keep winning games playing within our identity, and people can’t help but notice.   If we’re lucky enough to make a sweet 16 run, we get more casual fans to notice as well.

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Agree.