DRC: Late run helps Bama top UNT

[NT80]

Were we really that bad in 2000? "They were one of the worst basketball teams I have ever seen in Division I," Gottfried said of the 2000-01 Mean Green. That was Trilli's last season which finished 4-24.

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Late run helps No. 18 Alabama top UNT men

02:49 AM CST on Monday, November 22, 2004

By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama controlled the game against North Texas throughout, but the 18th-ranked Crimson Tide needed an 11-2 run in the second half to pull away for an 85-71 win Sunday at Coleman Coliseum.

The contest was dramatically different from the teams' last meeting, which Alabama won 94-55 in 2000-01. Johnny Jones took over UNT's program a year later after serving as an assistant at Alabama (2-0) under Mark Gottfried.

"They were one of the worst basketball teams I have ever seen in Division I," Gottfried said of the 2000-01 Mean Green. "From where they were then to where they are now is light years ahead."

UNT (1-1) trailed by as many as 22 in the first half before pulling within 52-43 with 13:25 left on three free throws by Leonard Hopkins. The former Lincoln standout led three UNT players in double figures with 19 points. Michael Jones added 18 points, and Calvin Watson had 15.

Alabama forward Chuck Davis scored four of his game-high 25 points during the Crimson Tide's key second-half run.

"Alabama had some great open looks and every time we slipped up on defense they knocked their shots down," Hopkins said.

NO. 18 ALABAMA 85, NORTH TEXAS 71

NORTH TEXAS (1-1) – Jones 7-13 0-0 18, Barnett 4-5 1-1 9, Hopkins 6-16 4-7 19, Hines 0-3 0-0 0, Watson 5-9 1-1 15, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Mitchell 0-0 0-0 0, Sturns 1-5 0-0 2, Thomas 1-4 0-0 2, Williams 1-2 0-0 2, Simpson 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 27-59 6-9 71.

ALABAMA (2-0) – Davis 8-10 9-11 25, Winston 4-12 4-6 13, Davidson 2-4 1-2 5, Shelton 5-7 4-4 17, Steele 4-4 4-6 14, Weber 0-0 0-0 0, Daniels 0-0 0-0 0, Brock 1-3 2-5 4, Felix 3-7 0-0 7, Jonus 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-49 24-34 85.

Halftime–Alabama 44-28. 3-Point goals–North Texas 11-28 (Watson 4-5, Jones 4-8, Hopkins 3-10, Sturns 0-1, Hines 0-2, Mitchell 0-2), Alabama 7-15 (Shelton 3-4, Steele 2-2, Winston 1-4, Felix 1-4, Jonus 0-1). Fouled out–None. Rebounds– North Texas 24 (Hines 7), Alabama 36 (Davis 7). Assists– North Texas 14 (Hines 3), Alabama 12 (Winston, Davidson, Steele 3). Total fouls–North Texas 25, Alabama 11. A–8,975.

Edited November 22, 2004 by NT80

[Zeke]

Were we that bad in 2000?

Yes. A seriously bad bad team.

[IslandEagle]

Were we that bad in 2000?

Yes.  A seriously bad bad team.

Trilli's last year. 4 wins. Yep. we were that bad.

[CMJ]

Trilli almost singlehandidly destroyed our program. We weren't world beaters or anything before he arrived, but we were at least 500 or so. Trilli might've been the worst coach we've ever had.

[MeanGreen61]

Trilli almost singlehandidly destroyed our program.  We weren't world beaters or anything before he arrived, but we were at least 500 or so.  Trilli might've been the worst coach we've ever had.

Might have been?