Hines, Bobo honored at UNT basketball banquet

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Hines, Bobo honored at UNT basketball banquet

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Junior guards Isaac Hines and Erika Bobo were named the MVPs of the North Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams on Tuesday during the teams’ annual banquet at the Gateway Center.

The UNT men and women both finished 14-14 last season and lost their first games in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with teams that featured several underclassmen.

"Both of our teams are young," UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal said. "Our women are all coming back and our men are returning four or five players who started at one time or another and a great supporting cast. I am excited about where our basketball program is headed."

Hines and Bobo are part of the reason for Villarreal’s optimism.

Hines became the first player in UNT history to lead the team in assists, steals and rebounds, in addition to averaging 6.5 points a game.

Leonard Hopkins, who was named UNT’s offensive MVP, is one of three departing seniors. Hopkins finished his career as the eighth leading scorer in school history with 1,340 points.

"I am excited about next year," UNT men’s coach Johnny Jones said. "The guys are already all up early working out to get ready for next season."

Bobo earned her MVP honor after a breakout season that saw her average 13.0 points a game and reach double figures in all but four contests.

Bobo will head a veteran team next season. UNT returns all but one player from a team that finished one game behind Sun Belt West Division champion Louisiana-Lafayette and lost to Middle Tennessee in overtime in the conference tournament.

MT went on to win the tournament title.

"We are excited about next year," UNT women’s coach Tina Slinker said. "Most years you are ready for a break after the season. I am ready to get started with what we have coming back."

Rike to interview at Tulane

North Texas associate head coach Fred Rike will interview next week for a position as an assistant coach at Tulane.

Dave Dickerson was introduced as the Green Wave’s new head coach on April 1.

"Tulane has a great reputation and coach Dickerson won a national championship at Maryland," Rike said. "I am familiar with Tulane from my days at Memphis and have always had success recruiting in New Orleans."

Rike has played a key role in UNT’s gradual rise under head coach Johnny Jones and recruited several of the Mean Green’s junior college players over the last four seasons.

He is the second UNT assistant to interview for an assistant coaching job with another program this spring. Kobie Baker interviewed with Alabama a few weeks ago, but was not offered the job.

Women

MVP – Erika Bobo

Most improved – Erica Howard

Top rebounder – Talicia Sanders

Offensive MVP – Erika Bobo

Defensive MVP – Mian Williams

Hustle award – Natalie Mireles

Men

MVP – Isaac Hines

Top 3-point shooter – Calvin Watson

Best field goal percentage – Justin Barnett

Academic award – Marqus Mitchell

Defensive MVP – Jeffrey Simpson

Offensive MVP – Leonard Hopkins

Hustle award – Michael Jones