Talented coach, players enjoy success

[MeanGreen61]

Talented coach, players enjoy success

By Brad McDonnell

January 27, 2006

A new team is rising above school shadows with the possibility of giving NT an unlikely reputation.

The university, for the most part, is known as a music school, with the highly recognized One O’Clock Lab Band, or a football school known for legends Mean Joe Green and Hayden Fry and winning Sun Belt titles and New Orleans Bowl bids, at least until this recent season.

Whatever label or reputation is bestowed upon NT, one thing is certain, it’s not a basketball school.

But head coach Johnny Jones and the men’s basketball team may change the long-standing unfamiliarity this season with a potential to introduce themselves and shine in Denton.

Holding an 11-6 record, the Mean Green is portraying its best season in over a decade, with a significant chance at making a run for the Sun Belt Conference title, a role that includes an automatic spot in March Madness.

Nine games still remain, but certain aspect about this team lend the premature hype, starting with Jones. The five-year coach continues to bring added success since taking over a program that won just four games before his arrival. Jones appears to be a perfect fit for this team, and his coaching ability, combined with player talent provides a good mix of chemistry.

Guard Kendrick Davis is a significant scoring threat for the Mean Green. The junior transfer form Arkansas is averaging 17.2 points per game and has scored 20 or more in eight of his last 15 games.

Davis is a good scoring compliment for guard Isaac Hines, who led NT in rebounds, assists and steals last season.

A solid core of young talent is also in place with forwards Harold Stewart, Harold Edwards and Quincy Williams.

The conference tournament begins March 3, and NT is currently playing for a top seed and sits on the verge of first place in the West Division.

The norms associated with NT may take a back seat to basketball come March.