New Orleans

Censored by Laurie · October 17, 2007

After this summer, basketball practice could not start soon enough for the Privateers. In one of the sorriest displays of sorriness, former head coach Buzz Williams bailed for an assistant job at Marquette in May...at the height of the recruiting period, and with a handful of talented newcomers already committed. Joe Pasternack was brought into a nearly impossible situation...all of Williams recruits were granted release from their commitments and Pasternack had two months to supplement a years worth of recruiting. The only positive is that UNO has its most experienced team in years with 6 seniors and 4 juniors and a returning SBC player of the year. All that said, it could be a long season, but for now Pasternack and the Privateers are just excited to be playing basketball.

Projected Starters

PG. Shaun Reynolds 5'11" 175 Sr.
SG. Bo McCalebb 6'0" 180 Sr.
SF. James Parlow 6'3" 170 Sr.
PF. Jacob Manning 6'7" 205 Sr.
C. Ben Elias 6'10" 260 Sr.

Frontcourt: New Orleans will boast the tallest frontline in the Sun Belt with three players checking in at 6'10". Ben Elias (6'10" 260 Sr.) is the banger of the group and is counted on to be a defensive presence. Elias had one flash of offensive ability last season, a 14 point 11 rebound effort against Arkansas Little-Rock, sandwiched in between three scoreless games. As limited as Elias is offensively, Asrangue Souleymane (6’10” 220 Sr.) has even less. Souleymane, a transfer from Cincinnati, is a long, athletic big man from the Central African Republic whose biggest contribution comes as a shot blocker, swatting 41 shots last season, nearly twice as many as any other Privateer. The wild card up front will be Jaroslav Tyrna (6’10” 220 Fr.). A native of the Czech Republic, Tyrna, 21, comes to New Orleans after a season playing in Spain, is a member of the Czech Junior National Team and will be the most polished of the UNO big men. Jacob Manning (6’7” 205 Sr.) is the likely candidate to start at the four as he returns to the Privateers after missing all but six games last season because of a stress fracture. Manning has been a solid role player in New Orleans prior to his injury with a career scoring average of 4.3 points and chipping in just under 4 rebounds. Jairo Mendoza (6’8” 240 Jr.) was signed as a JUCO transfer by Williams, honored his commitment to UNO, but will sit out this season as a medical redshirt due to a knee injury.

Backcourt: Bo McCalebb will once again make the Privateers a stop on the schedule no one wishes to make. McCalebb returns after flirting with the NBA Draft and will look to defend his SBC Player of the Year honor. McCalebb is the most prolific scorer in the Belt, dropping over 20 points 25 times last season, including 6 times over 30 and double figures in all but one game…a game he decided to play point and put up his only double figure assist total of the season. McCalebb is an attacking guard who scores at the basket and gets to the line, leading UNO in free throw makes and attempts. If he does have a weakness, McCalebb is not a strong outside shooter, shooting just 33% from the 19’9.” (Disclaimer: this is certainly not to say that if you’re playing UNO in a close game that you let him have a clean look at the end of the game with the chance to beat you…JUST DON’T!!!! Rant complete.) With McCalebb penetrating, shooters will be free on the outside. The most accomplished of the UNO snipers is James Parlow (6’3” 170 Sr.). Parlow led the Privateers in three point makes (85) and percentage (47%) and will be the second scoring option now that Jamie McNeilly (15.1ppg) has graduated. Shaun Reynolds (5’11”175 Sr.) will run the “point” for New Orleans, though that will essentially mean he brings it across the timeline and hands off to McCalebb. Reynolds is a capable scorer (10.8ppg) and a solid perimeter shooter (44% 3pt) and works well as the third or fourth option. T.J. Worley (6’4” 205 Jr.) sat out last season after transferring from Delaware St and bring some size and shooting ability to the wing, and will help ease the loss of McNeilly. Worley’s claim to fame thus far in his career was being named CBS Player of the Game after dropping 13 on Duke in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Kyndall Dykes (6’3” 190 Jr.) and Kechan Myers (5’10” 190 Jr.) are a pair of talented and athletic JUCO transfers who will bring depth and experience to the UNO bench, and Ryan Brock (6’3” 190 Soph.) will provide depth as a walk-on.

Overall: UNO is never a push-over, especially for UNT who hasn’t beaten the Privateers since the 2004-2005 season, and this is a team loaded with upperclassmen. McCalebb will get his 20 plus points, its going to be what Pasternak can get from his supporting cast that will determine how successful his debut season will be. Parlow is a one-dimensional shooter, Reynolds at best a third option. If Tyrna shows he has some level of offensive competency, it would be the first time in my memory UNO could get points from anyone bigger than 6’4” and it could make this team more competitive. And if Pasternak is going to make a push for the SBC title, this will HAVE to be the year with six graduating seniors, but I just don’t see it. Expect another middle of the road finish this season, and if UNO keeps its hoops program, this team will be near the SBC basement in the coming years.

Buford_Julep · October 17, 2007

In one of the sorriest displays of sorriness, former head coach Buzz Williams bailed for an assistant job at Marquette in May...at the height of the recruiting period, and with a handful of talented newcomers already committed.

According to a disgruntled UNO fan posting on the Belt Board Williams deliberately delayed the hiring announcement. The idea was that UNO would have no other choice but to name one of Williams' assistants as the new head coach.

I am not sure if it is unethical or not, but I noticed Ronnie Arrow continued to recruit the same players for South Alabama that he recruited for A&M Corpus Christi.

untgeorge · October 18, 2007

There are hints (more than hints, actually) in the NO press that UNO has failed to deliver on promises to its coaches, promises as to facilities and other support. Keep in mind that two coaches have left UNO in two years, both for assistant jobs. It is not certain that Williams is totally to blame for his departure, but we will never know all the facts.

The real longer range question is can UNO continue as a D1 program. It has two (or is it three) years remaining to get into compliance with D1 membership requirements and it is not clear that progress has been made. Perhaps it has and UNO will be a strong long-term member, but until we know they qualify, don't keep hoping Denver will leave, we may need them. Tough situation.

For now CbLs write-up, excellent as usual, is on target: i.e., somebody has to add balance to their game so they are not totally dependent on Bo. In the past McNeilly has been UNOs only other scoring threat and, as CbL has said, Paltrow is no McNeilly.

My real hope is we can beat them, at least once, before Bo goes.

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

There are hints (more than hints, actually) in the NO press that UNO has failed to deliver on promises to its coaches, promises as to facilities and other support. Keep in mind that two coaches have left UNO in two years, both for assistant jobs. It is not certain that Williams is totally to blame for his departure, but we will never know all the facts.
The real longer range question is can UNO continue as a D1 program. It has two (or is it three) years remaining to get into compliance with D1 membership requirements and it is not clear that progress has been made. Perhaps it has and UNO will be a strong long-term member, but until we know they qualify, don't keep hoping Denver will leave, we may need them. Tough situation.
For now CbLs write-up, excellent as usual, is on target: i.e., somebody has to add balance to their game so they are not totally dependent on Bo. In the past McNeilly has been UNOs only other scoring threat and, as CbL has said, Paltrow is no McNeilly.
My real hope is we can beat them, at least once, before Bo goes.

Williams knew the situation he was walking in to...and he knew at the end of last season whether or not those "promises" were going to be kept. If the answer was no, he should've stepped down after the season. As to UNO's ability to stay as a D-1 program...I really hope they can. In terms of notaritiy, UNO is one of the more respected SBC basketball schools and their collapse would hurt the respectability of the Belt. I've always kinda wanted Denver to leave, but with Joe Scott and his successes, Denver may become an asset worth the geographic disconnect...however their pressence makes it harder to add a football school or two. George, you said it best, tough situation.

UNO has been a team who has no business beating us four straight times...Bo has gone for big games because UNT has always had to match up taller guards on him and he can get his shoulders under KD, Watson or Young and get to the buckett. This year he'll have to try and penetrate on guys who can get under him, Dennis, Willingham and Bell and getting to the tin will not be as easy.

Tyrna might be the most intriguing player in the SBC...nobody else in the Sun Belt has really ventured into the European player...its just going to be a matter of if hes physical enough for a conference whose bigmen are really just bruising rebounders and defenders.

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

Bo is overrated

sarcasm

Edited October 19, 2007 by UNT_92_Fan

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

Bo Knows Sarcasm

Edited October 19, 2007 by Censored by Laurie

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

Bo Knows Alchohol Abuse!

Well Done CBL... Well Done!

Edited October 19, 2007 by UNT_92_Fan

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

Bo Wishes he still had moves like that...unfortunantly:

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

Re-posting of the same picture.... -1....

Justin - 1

Jesse - 0

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

Valid point...my next basketball analasys will venture to the world of intramurals.

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

Go ahead and analyze that Kappa Sig vs Pink Funk game circa 2004.

I think it went Dearing for three then something like this....

Bracy with the buzzer beater and the Pink Funk victory... I could be wrong??? Is that what happened??? Dont make me dip into pics of girls I have seen you make out with

Edited October 19, 2007 by UNT_92_Fan

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

I already know where you are going to take this one and I am going to concede the point and ask you not to do it... haha

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

As long as you appreciate how difficult it is for me to resist.

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

Jesse - 2

Justin - 2

This is not over....

Check the Threejustins thing at the bottom for my new myspace friend blog entry

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

I'm not sure how this is not over when I hold the ultimate trump card...and who would you throw out there...so far as I know you know two of my girls...and I'm not exactly embarrassed by any of them, would like to punch one, but not embarrassed.

Nice blog by the way...

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

I'm not sure how this is not over when I hold the ultimate trump card...and who would you throw out there...so far as I know you know two of my girls...and I'm not exactly embarrassed by any of them, would like to punch one, but not embarrassed.
Nice blog by the way...

I know a girl Desiree....

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

Damn...thats my checkdown reciever next weekend...if the first or second options aren't open down the field I'll be throwing it to her out of the backfield.

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

backfield huh??

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

backfield huh??

Ya heard Me!

So what thinly-veiled phallic referencing custome will you be sporting this year? a cucumber? the washington monument? or maybe just go as a dill?

Dear Admins,

Please post this topic with all posts after my reply to untgeorge removed...but wait for the file to turn light red because this could go on for a while.

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

I figured me and some friends do the same rendition of Robin's Hood Merry Men that you and your "brothers" did here...

Forget the fact that you are wearing a cowboy hat in this you damn hippie... Look at Juan.... WHAT A TOOL

Edited October 19, 2007 by UNT_92_Fan

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

Yup...and I have photographic evidence of them doing it...

I love how a squatting Barnett is taller than half your team.

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

Shall we call it a tie seeing as how I am about to head out for the day and wont have internet till sunday since I will be in Austin?

And where are all the "fat" jesse pics I really wanted to hark on that....

Me being constantly fat it isn't funny for you to hark on it...it just makes you look like a bully

Edited October 19, 2007 by UNT_92_Fan

UNT_92_Fan · October 19, 2007

COme on Jesse... I can't leave work till we truce this hoe...

Censored by Laurie · October 19, 2007

Well played...have fun in Austin and remember to ask for Paige at Vivo. See ya next week

untgeorge · October 27, 2007

After this summer, basketball practice could not start soon enough for the Privateers. In one of the sorriest displays of sorriness, former head coach Buzz Williams bailed for an assistant job at Marquette in May...at the height of the recruiting period, and with a handful of talented newcomers already committed. Joe Pasternack was brought into a nearly impossible situation...all of Williams recruits were granted release from their commitments and Pasternack had two months to supplement a years worth of recruiting. The only positive is that UNO has its most experienced team in years with 6 seniors and 4 juniors and a returning SBC player of the year. All that said, it could be a long season, but for now Pasternack and the Privateers are just excited to be playing basketball.
Projected Starters
PG. Shaun Reynolds 5'11" 175 Sr.
SG. Bo McCalebb 6'0" 180 Sr.
SF. James Parlow 6'3" 170 Sr.
PF. Jacob Manning 6'7" 205 Sr.
C. Ben Elias 6'10" 260 Sr.
Frontcourt: New Orleans will boast the tallest frontline in the Sun Belt with three players checking in at 6'10". Ben Elias (6'10" 260 Sr.) is the banger of the group and is counted on to be a defensive presence. Elias had one flash of offensive ability last season, a 14 point 11 rebound effort against Arkansas Little-Rock, sandwiched in between three scoreless games. As limited as Elias is offensively, Asrangue Souleymane (6’10” 220 Sr.) has even less. Souleymane, a transfer from Cincinnati, is a long, athletic big man from the Central African Republic whose biggest contribution comes as a shot blocker, swatting 41 shots last season, nearly twice as many as any other Privateer. The wild card up front will be Jaroslav Tyrna (6’10” 220 Fr.). A native of the Czech Republic, Tyrna, 21, comes to New Orleans after a season playing in Spain, is a member of the Czech Junior National Team and will be the most polished of the UNO big men. Jacob Manning (6’7” 205 Sr.) is the likely candidate to start at the four as he returns to the Privateers after missing all but six games last season because of a stress fracture. Manning has been a solid role player in New Orleans prior to his injury with a career scoring average of 4.3 points and chipping in just under 4 rebounds. Jairo Mendoza (6’8” 240 Jr.) was signed as a JUCO transfer by Williams, honored his commitment to UNO, but will sit out this season as a medical redshirt due to a knee injury.
Backcourt: Bo McCalebb will once again make the Privateers a stop on the schedule no one wishes to make. McCalebb returns after flirting with the NBA Draft and will look to defend his SBC Player of the Year honor. McCalebb is the most prolific scorer in the Belt, dropping over 20 points 25 times last season, including 6 times over 30 and double figures in all but one game…a game he decided to play point and put up his only double figure assist total of the season. McCalebb is an attacking guard who scores at the basket and gets to the line, leading UNO in free throw makes and attempts. If he does have a weakness, McCalebb is not a strong outside shooter, shooting just 33% from the 19’9.” (Disclaimer: this is certainly not to say that if you’re playing UNO in a close game that you let him have a clean look at the end of the game with the chance to beat you…JUST DON’T!!!! Rant complete.) With McCalebb penetrating, shooters will be free on the outside. The most accomplished of the UNO snipers is James Parlow (6’3” 170 Sr.). Parlow led the Privateers in three point makes (85) and percentage (47%) and will be the second scoring option now that Jamie McNeilly (15.1ppg) has graduated. Shaun Reynolds (5’11”175 Sr.) will run the “point” for New Orleans, though that will essentially mean he brings it across the timeline and hands off to McCalebb. Reynolds is a capable scorer (10.8ppg) and a solid perimeter shooter (44% 3pt) and works well as the third or fourth option. T.J. Worley (6’4” 205 Jr.) sat out last season after transferring from Delaware St and bring some size and shooting ability to the wing, and will help ease the loss of McNeilly. Worley’s claim to fame thus far in his career was being named CBS Player of the Game after dropping 13 on Duke in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Kyndall Dykes (6’3” 190 Jr.) and Kechan Myers (5’10” 190 Jr.) are a pair of talented and athletic JUCO transfers who will bring depth and experience to the UNO bench, and Ryan Brock (6’3” 190 Soph.) will provide depth as a walk-on.
Overall: UNO is never a push-over, especially for UNT who hasn’t beaten the Privateers since the 2004-2005 season, and this is a team loaded with upperclassmen. McCalebb will get his 20 plus points, its going to be what Pasternak can get from his supporting cast that will determine how successful his debut season will be. Parlow is a one-dimensional shooter, Reynolds at best a third option. If Tyrna shows he has some level of offensive competency, it would be the first time in my memory UNO could get points from anyone bigger than 6’4” and it could make this team more competitive. And if Pasternak is going to make a push for the SBC title, this will HAVE to be the year with six graduating seniors, but I just don’t see it. Expect another middle of the road finish this season, and if UNO keeps its hoops program, this team will be near the SBC basement in the coming years.

Article should be pinned.