DRC Full Sturns article

OldTimer · June 23, 2006

Sturns ready to rejoin Mean Green

08:59 AM CDT on Friday, June 23, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Johnny Jones saw a change in Michael Sturns over the past few months, one that convinced North Texas’ men’s basketball coach to take back a talented but at times troubled player.

Michael Sturns

Jones confirmed on Thursday that Sturns has met a series of requirements to rejoin the Mean Green. The 6-4 shooting guard was dismissed from the team in early February for not conforming to team standards and missed the last eight games of the 2005-06 season.

“Michael’s time away from the team has been an awakening for him,” Jones said. “He knows what I want, and he has made an agreement to do those things wholeheartedly. He has not made that commitment before.”

The former North Crowley standout ranked fourth on the team with an average of 9.7 points per game in the 2005-06 season. Sturns played in 19 of UNT’s first 20 games and provided an offensive spark off the bench.

He scored in double figures nine times in his first 13 games of the season and posted a career-high 20 points in a win over UT-Permian Basin on Dec. 28.

Sturns’ playing time dwindled in late January and he failed to reach double figures in six straight games.

He missed the Mean Green’s game at New Orleans on Feb. 4 with a hand injury and was dismissed from the team after UNT returned from a road trip that also included a game at Louisiana-Lafayette.

“I had an opportunity to talk with Mike and his grandfather and it was a very positive meeting,” Jones said. “A lot of good came from it.”

Sturns’ return will give UNT another option in its backcourt that will have a new look next season. The Mean Green lost starting point guard Isaac Hines to graduation. Lionel Brown, who played both guard spots, left the team after last season for personal reasons.

Ben Bell, an incoming transfer from San Jacinto College, is expected to start at point guard. Howe High School’s Collin Mangrum could also see time as a backup point guard as a freshman.

Sturns can play both guard spots and small forward.

“When Mike is playing like he is capable of playing and is committed to doing the things he is supposed to, he is very good,” Jones said. “It’s when he is not playing like he is capable of that, he becomes a distraction.”

UNT thinks those times are behind Sturns, a player Jones hopes can help the Mean Green make a run at the Sun Belt Conference title after finishing 14-14 in each of the last two seasons.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .