Star Telegram Article

UNTLifer · January 29, 2003

Posted on Wed, Jan. 29, 2003

UNT Notes

Coach upbeat despite losses

By Chad Conine

Special to the Star-Telegram

DENTON - There are plenty of reasons for the smile to leave UNT coach Johnny Jones' face, but it hasn't.

Despite a five-game losing streak in Sun Belt play, Jones remained upbeat during his weekly media luncheon Tuesday.

In its most recent action, the Mean Green (6-12, 1-5 Sun Belt) led for much of a game at South Alabama on Saturday before falling to the Jaguars by five points, 76-71. But Jones, in his second season at UNT, continues to try positive reinforcement.

"We're never going to get down," Jones said. "I told them how proud I was of them and the way they conducted themselves. Our guys will keep our heads up. We've got to learn from experience."

The challenges keep coming for the Mean Green, however, as they play host to Louisiana-Lafayette (12-6, 4-1) and New Mexico State (12-5, 3-3) this week. The Ragin' Cajuns enter Thursday's game atop the Sun Belt standings, and the Aggies have the conference's best overall winning percentage.

Jones said the Mean Green's only option is to try to gain momentum from the things they've done well, even though UNT hasn't been rewarded with a win very often.

"On the road the kids played hard," Jones said. "We've got to continue to do that against probably the best team in the league in Louisiana-Lafayette."

Producers missing

UNT is 2-7 since sophomore guard Leonard Hopkins broke a bone in his left foot against Colorado on Dec. 22. Hopkins, who will likely miss the rest of the season, averaged 12.7 points through nine games before his injury.

The Mean Green is also missing forward Will Smith, who has started five games and might return from a foot injury next week. But Johnny Jones isn't making excuses.

"It's been an amazing transition," Jones said on playing without Hopkins and Smith. "It's an opportunity for everybody else to step up. If I didn't feel they were capable, they wouldn't be a part of what we're doing."

Lewis emerges

The Lady Eagles' split of two overtime games at home last week kept them a game below .500 (8-9) and even in the Sun Belt (3-3), but they might have gained from the experience in one area. UNT coach Tina Slinker said the Lady Eagles are getting the leadership they need from senior forward Angel Lewis.

Lewis has scored 46 points in the Lady Eagles' past two victories, including 24 in UNT's overtime win against South Alabama on Saturday.

"If you ask me who's my best offensive player, it's Angel Lewis," Slinker said. "If you ask me who's my best perimeter defensive player, it's Angel Lewis. She's playing like a senior, and we needed someone to do that."