Has This Team Quit

Hunter Green · February 12, 2011

This team is not playing well. They are not focused(missed free throws) don't adjust well on defense and too much one-on-one with everyone standing around on offense. Is Johnnie too heavy handed? Are the players feeling the pressure of repeating as champs or are we just not that good period?

What the hell is going on? :blink:

Green Crazy · February 12, 2011

i believe so. for this to happen with all the seniors we have is f'n ridiculous!

Mean Green Matt · February 12, 2011

This team should not have quit, becuase there is still hope for this year. We can seriously still get a bye, we just need to start fighting for it. I don't think quitting has been the problem, they are just not playing good basketball.

We are only two games out of a bye, and we are in control of 1 of the games.

Edited February 12, 2011 by Mean Green Matt

UNTLifer · February 12, 2011

I hate to say this, but I think we are overrated. Poor defense, no true leader and the same playground offense we've always run, plus we haven't beaten a team of any significance this year.

I never thought I would say this when conference started, but we will not win 20 games this year. Why? Because every team in the SBC is getting better as the season goes on, and we are getting worse.

greenminer · February 12, 2011

Given up on JJ? No. Given up on regular season? Maybe.

Green Mean · February 13, 2011

Is the team friends with Riley?

meangreen · February 13, 2011

The worst part about this whole thing is that we know there is talent on this team. What's missing is a true leader that is willing to step up. The attitude of this team has grown worse over the past couple of weeks. JJ needs to try something different with these guys. Do you think they even care anymore?

KRAM1 · February 13, 2011

Not a pretty sight today...and to have it on national TV. Too bad, but all is definitely not lost. I think the right thought is that the team seems to have given up on the regular season. They know that only the tournament gets them to the big dance, but if they don't step up will they be anywhere near ready to turn it on for the tournament? Matt is correct that not all is lost, but they sure are playing like it or so it seems.

WOW...too bad to have that on national TV...but, let's all turn out for the next home game to show our support and to let them know that the Mean Green nation has definitely NOT given up on them!

GO MEAN GREEN!

Thanks to all who attended the Watch party today hosted by the Denton Chapter of the UNT Alumni Assoc. at Fox and Hounds in Lewisville. Good turnout and it was a lot of fun just being around everyone who showed up...thanks for making the effort to be part of the event and show your collective support for the Mean green. For one, I had a great time...and so did my bride!

SUMG · February 13, 2011

This team should not have quit, becuase there is still hope for this year. We can seriously still get a bye, we just need to start fighting for it. I don't think quitting has been the problem, they are just not playing good basketball.

We are only two games out of a bye, and we are in control of 1 of the games.

It's not quite that simple Matt. Ark. State is 8-4 (4 conference games left); we're 5-6 (5 conference games left). You're right in that we're two games out in the loss column and we play ASU. But what makes it more difficult is that there are two other teams (ULL, UALR) ahead of us---between us and Ark. State). So even though we can take care of business and beat Ark. State and UALR.....somebody else has to beat Ark. State, and somebody else has to beat ULL. And at that point, we'd just be tied with ULL...and you'd get into a tiebreaker situation.

Anyway, I think us getting a bye is a pipe dream now anyway. And furthermore, without the bye....there is no way this team can win playing 4 days in a row at Hot Springs.

The season is pretty much over.

Edited February 13, 2011 by SUMG

UNT 90 Grad · February 13, 2011

Is the team friends with Riley?

I think they are friends with Ray...MIA.

UNT 90 Grad · February 13, 2011

Thanks to all who attended the Watch party today hosted by the Denton Chapter of the UNT Alumni Assoc. at Fox and Hounds in Lewisville. Good turnout and it was a lot of fun just being around everyone who showed up...thanks for making the effort to be part of the event and show your collective support for the Mean green.

Thanks to you and to the others that helped put this on. I had a great time, despite the game result.

UNTLifer · February 13, 2011

I honestly will be surprised if this team wins 18 games. I'm betting we will win one more, against Denver.

izembower · February 13, 2011

this conference season has definitely been a disappointment. I remember talking over with my friend about a possible 14 seed, maybe somehow getting a 13, when we were 11-2. what really hurts the most is the idea that we have the most talented team in the sun belt. we won the conference last year with basically this same exact team, minus collin mangrum, eric tramiel, alzee williams, and cameron spencer. at first, I thought it had to be our depth that's getting us into trouble, but we went into today with 8 days rest, and still came out flat.

what i'd like to see from this team is more effort, more fight, more fire. even the commentator said it today, that being down as much as we were at half, we came out and had NO sense of urgency. things like johnny jones standing there on the side of the court with this look of helplessness, to our players looking like they had gave up and half and were ready to get home. i wanna see george odufuwa come down hard and physical with a rebound. i wanna see josh drive to the basket more. my friend and i were at the rec the other day, and saw one of the players. we started talking to him, and he told my friend, "man we're just ready to get to the tournament bro."

maybe they're just pussyfooting around until conference tournament when they'll explode and beat everyone by double digits. however, i'm scared that this way they've been playing has become more and more routine and common, and i'm hoping they start playing how they should be.

TheTastyGreek · February 13, 2011

I hate to say this, but I think we are overrated. Poor defense, no true leader and the same playground offense we've always run, plus we haven't beaten a team of any significance this year.

I never thought I would say this when conference started, but we will not win 20 games this year. Why? Because every team in the SBC is getting better as the season goes on, and we are getting worse.

1) At this point, I don't know who is overrating us.

2) The "beating a team of significance" thing is tired and meaningless. Utah State is ranked 17th, and who have they beaten? Diminishing the wins we do have doesn't seem as relevant a point (to me, at least) as seeing the terrible losses we have for what they are. The only "team of significance" on our schedule, if Tech and the road win at LSU don't count, was Kansas. They're 2nd in the country and only one team has beaten them. We can't beat teams that won't play us in worthwhile series. If the day ever comes that the football team manages to beat two BCS teams in the same year, I promise I won't swing by the football forum and talk about how meaningless the wins are because they came against teams that were 5-7.

3) I'd put money on us still winning 20 games. Not saying it ought to be a goal that makes this season satisfying, but despite it all I think we'll get there again.

Cooley · February 13, 2011

I prefer to stay focused on the Big Picture and that's building the program. If anything is overrated, it's having a bunch of seniors on a ball club. Is it possible that we overachieved in years past or guys peaked? Becoming the target and/or not slipping up on anyone. Maybe hitting a wall due to a lack of depth while playing heavy minutes. I really don't care how many games this team wins in any given year or whether or not we win the conference. (Been there, done that) My concern is if the program is getting better. Unlike football, the Sunbelt champs will always get a 14, 15 or 16th seed. This will ensure we play a top 20 team (out of over 300) The odds, at this time, are not great of beating a top 20 team. In football, the Sunbelt champ will play a 3rd or 4th place team from another mid-major conference or slightly above. The chances of a bowl victory are much better in football for the Sunbelt champs (playing a top 60 team)

For us to continue to get better each year, we need better players. TT maybe the only guy on this team that would start for a Top 30 - 40 team. So why should we expect them to beat one of these teams in the NCAA tournament? On paper, does it look like we are bringing in better talent? I say yes. We are a perimeter team without a threat down low. This must be addressed! Geore Odufawa has played out of position, out of necessity, the whole season. One of our better players is a 5-9 shooting guard playing point guard. As Dan MacCarney would say, "Are You Kidding Me"? Should we look for a 5-9 guard to carry us each game? In my opinion, we have a few more guys that should not even be playing in the Sunbelt. We are a .500 team because we can easily lose to any team just like we can beat any team. Is help on the way? I think so.

Within the past 2-3 years, JJ has done a much better job in getting the attention of top recruits. Most have not signed but we appear to be in the game. The program has taken longer than I would have liked but I see an upgrade in who we go after. Conversely, we've signed a few that I did not understand. I know there are all types of fans in each program. I personally like to see recruits play (football and basketball) while they are still in high school. I also try to attend as many of our games as possible. Additionally, our opponents. As such, I don't have to rely on what others have to say, what I read or what some recruiting service said.

I can not be disapointed in this team or believe they are overrated or underrated. This team has not quit. I have never felt that we needed to tear up JJ contract for a better one or worried that he may leave. Overall, I like the direction of the program; whether we win 24, 22, 20 or 18. Don't understand why the expectations are so much higher for the basketball team than football. When we recruit a team of highly sought players and/or obtain a top 20 ranking, my expectations for the team will increase.

Green P1 · February 13, 2011

1) At this point, I don't know who is overrating us.

2) The "beating a team of significance" thing is tired and meaningless. Utah State is ranked 17th, and who have they beaten? Diminishing the wins we do have doesn't seem as relevant a point (to me, at least) as seeing the terrible losses we have for what they are. The only "team of significance" on our schedule, if Tech and the road win at LSU don't count, was Kansas. They're 2nd in the country and only one team has beaten them. We can't beat teams that won't play us in worthwhile series. If the day ever comes that the football team manages to beat two BCS teams in the same year, I promise I won't swing by the football forum and talk about how meaningless the wins are because they came against teams that were 5-7.

3) I'd put money on us still winning 20 games. Not saying it ought to be a goal that makes this season satisfying, but despite it all I think we'll get there again.

yea.... but who has this team beaten?

CMJ · February 13, 2011

Unlike football, the Sunbelt champs will always get a 14, 15 or 16th seed.

Tell that to WKU and USA in years past.

NT03 · February 13, 2011

Tell that to WKU and USA in years past.

The winner this year might be playing in the dreaded "play in" game

CMJ · February 13, 2011

The winner this year might be playing in the dreaded "play in" game

Well, since there are 4 of them...it's highly likely.

Andrew · February 13, 2011

Well, since there are 4 of them...it's highly likely.

If Florida Atlantic wins they will not be in a play in game... any one else and yea sadly its a toss up.... but no one in our conference should ever get below a 15 seed

Mean Green Matt · February 13, 2011

It's not quite that simple Matt. Ark. State is 8-4 (4 conference games left); we're 5-6 (5 conference games left). You're right in that we're two games out in the loss column and we play ASU. But what makes it more difficult is that there are two other teams (ULL, UALR) ahead of us---between us and Ark. State). So even though we can take care of business and beat Ark. State and UALR.....somebody else has to beat Ark. State, and somebody else has to beat ULL. And at that point, we'd just be tied with ULL...and you'd get into a tiebreaker situation.
Anyway, I think us getting a bye is a pipe dream now anyway. And furthermore, without the bye....there is no way this team can win playing 4 days in a row at Hot Springs.

The season is pretty much over.

It actually is that simple...sort of. If we win out, it is impossible for us not to get a bye. There are three games remaining between ULL, ASU, Denver, and UALR that guarantee some team will come out with a loss. These games are UALR @ ASU, ASU @ ULL, and Denver @ ULL. There are 8 different ways that that set of 3 games can work itself out. In ALL eight scenarios, we end with a bye, and in 2 scenarios we end with the west division title. The reason is that we will basically hold the tiebreak over every team in the west division. Even if we were 1-1 against a particular team, we would have the best record vs. all west division teams (the second tiebreak). If I have some time later, I will type it up, but I have a big marketing project due tomorrow that I am trying to finish up first. :rolleyes:

SUMG · February 14, 2011

It actually is that simple...sort of. If we win out, it is impossible for us not to get a bye. There are three games remaining between ULL, ASU, Denver, and UALR that guarantee some team will come out with a loss. These games are UALR @ ASU, ASU @ ULL, and Denver @ ULL. There are 8 different ways that that set of 3 games can work itself out. In ALL eight scenarios, we end with a bye, and in 2 scenarios we end with the west division title. The reason is that we will basically hold the tiebreak over every team in the west division. Even if we were 1-1 against a particular team, we would have the best record vs. all west division teams (the second tiebreak). If I have some time later, I will type it up, but I have a big marketing project due tomorrow that I am trying to finish up first.

If you say so, mi amigo. I appreciate your youthful enthusiasm. Go Mean Green!