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McNualty and Buyers at DOTS

There's a lot of great talent out there, including those at the lower levels.. Coach Fry even got a QB coach from Austin College one time.. You may have heard of him before...his name is Bill Snyder. I'm not saying the current hires wont be any good. Maybe they can even keep UTEP below 52 points this next year? But we never seem to consider up and comers from successful lower division programs who would appreciate it here a little more. Rick

Well, the women won, and are now up to a three win streak and 6-6 in conference Forgive me if I don't feel like talking too much about the men whoe are currently down 17.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is DOTS?

That didn't take long to get our strong hold back on 14th place in CUSA

Sad thing is there has been some amazing bands play in Denton, unfortunately to empty venues. Dans Silverleaf has had some great ones.

You know this for a fact how? You have direct personal contact with Ernie on a regular basis? Ernie is a very successful lawyer and a very interesting guy. He can be VERY generous with his time, his talent and his money as we have all seen. He can also be a tad "tough to figure out at times". Ernie is "one of a kind" and he has earned the right to be that way. Unless you have talked directly to him and that is where your info is coming from, then you are only speculating. Ernie IS NOT an easy guy to figure out. The issue is not the so-called 17, who no one here has ever been successfully to name, it is that UNT has far too few of these mysterious 17! With so few heavy hitters it is easy for one or two to dominate a good bit of what goes on...it is their money after all. Their influence goes a long way in any athletic department and those of us with much less to give should be thankful for the heavy hitters we do have, not play the blame game and see them as the root of all evil. If the smaller guys, like me, want more influence or want to mute the influence of the largest donors to any extent, there simply much be many many more of "us", so that a loss of one of the "17" because they were upset about something would not result in such a big financial hit. Until then, well, it is what it is for us and many other universities. If the smaller donor "us" folks get in a huff and walk away because we have some personal grudge, don't like a certain coach or administrator, well...hello big donor influence. Yes, I know there are those among us that will vehemently disagree with my thoughts here. I get that, and that is OK. It is a difference of opinion, but I am guessing if people really think about it and put those personally grudges or dislikes away, they might find some small bit of logic in these thoughts. Yes, just as I have found bits of logic in even the biggest "disagreers" we have here on GMG.Com. And, perhaps the answer lies smack in the middle of both. Anyway...if we want to blame the "17" or more specifically Ernie, we also need to take a long hard look in the mirror. There is power in numbers. Lots of smaller donors can and do offset the effects of a single larger donor who some might think are pulling strings in a direction that would prefer not to go. Anyway...whichever way anyone wants to look at it, it appears that a decision, one way or the other, will be made after the season ends. Hopefully, it is a decision that a lot of us "smaller donors" can get behind and support with the time, talent and dollars.

Surely we're not making this decision based on the final 6 games. Well, we're not sure at this point so we are gonna let this play out and watch how things develop as we approach WKU and Marshall. We will make a decision at that point and go from there. So hard to stomach from this end, no matter how sensible they might think this wait is. My first big red flag of the Baker term.

For unselfish and for selfish reasons. As for the unselfish, I would like to see UNT's basketball program return to a semblance of respectability...sooner rather than later. It is a matter of institutional pride. As for the selfish, I want to be able to come back to the Superpit and enjoy some winning basketball again, while I am still physically able. I could watch from the other side, I suppose, but where I'm likely going it will be hard to watch through the smoke and flames.

I am the one in the middle.

We should have a alumni soccer game too! Haha. Now that I have taken over the soccer team I haven't touched a basketball since the last alumni game.?

Missed the boat when the Goldfield's were willing to foot the bill. I understand RV crapped that relationship, but I wonder if someone from the new staff has reached out to them.

If having no baseball team means baseball is dead then yes. How far off the rebirth is can be hard to say. I could see it being a decade away if things don't go well. It could be a couple of years if a big donor steps up. I would guess it would be closer to 10 years than 1 year but that's completely a guess. No inside info at all.* *I reserve to right to be completely wrong and ignorant about what I'm talking about.

So...heard several things from Dr Smatresk Thursday in a meeting I attended, then found out a bit more from another executive level employee in another meeting today... First...no baseball for awhile. The multi-purpose indoor sports facility WILL be constructed prior to adding baseball. The new track and soccer facility is about to break ground. Heard the soccer practice facility will be in the infield of the track. Seems Fouts will be torn down and will serve a few years as a ground level parking lot. Until the state legislature frees up new building construction funds, it will remain a parking lot. In addition, a new residence hall that will include a dining facility and a welcome center is going up promptly. The Super Pit will not be remodeled, but a new basketball facility is in the planning stages...rumored to be a 7-8,000 seat facility. I do not know the fate of the Super Pit, but would assume it stays as a multipurpose facility. Of course, we all know the rehab football locker rooms is currently underway and that the women's BB locker room rehab has been completed. And, the tennis courts have been resurfaced. In addition, some rehab work at the Athletics Center has been completed. Baseball is on the radar, but there is apparently much to do before baseball. This is only what I can recall. I was shocked at the emphasis facilities improvements and additions are taking under President Smatresk. He said we would strive to be Tier One in athletics as well as academics....seems he meant it.

Let's stop with the RV and 17 bit. We have a whole new program. Let WB and company out their stamp on things. We all know that TB will be gone after this season. Stop living on the RV and 17 past

You mean the winningest Coach we have at the moment...that John Hedlund? And, it is his off season...well, the end of it anyway, so Wren did wait until the end of the season to evaluate Coach Hedlund. and give him a nice well earned extension. Not that much evaluation was needed regarding wins and losses that is...

Then Wren and company need to raise the money.

It just came out that Baylor gets $30mil a year from the Big 12. We get what, a million from CUSA. You can use any measurement you want, but the money discrepancy will always make it tough to keep coaches. It's my opinion that until we build a solid program foundation where we have a solid and engaged fan base, have a run of bowl appearances, and change the perception of UNT throughout the high school community in Texas, we'll still keep spinning our wheels. And this will take a little time. Unfortunately RV was allowed to stay around too long and just keep the ship afloat (or even take on water) instead of moving us forward. Let's hope Wren and company are different. I'm not saying it will be easy but to me it's not impossible. Hell, maybe not even difficult. But the people in the athletic department need to be hell-bent on making it happen. Which won't if we keep doing the status-quo.

Like that they finally added contact information!!

On the last GMG podcast, Vito made a comment that the MBB team is losing a lot of players this year. Actually, they are not. NT loses 4 senors; starter Reese, part time starter Green, Frazier and Johnson. Frazier never was a factor, and Johnson has been ineffective for most of the year because of injuries. The new coach will have the opposite problem. NT will return 9 lettermen and has already signed two recruits. That only leaves 2 open ships. Of course, there could be major turnover in this group but Benford is leaving some very good players despite the record. First of course, the best player on the team and one of the best in the conference if he fully recovers from his injuries, Combs. In his sophomore year, he averaged a double double at 14.9 ppg and 10.5 rbs. The most exciting thing on the current team is the freshman guard tandem of Woolridge and Lawson. These are high energy, high ceiling guys: Lawson is averaging 11 ppg and 4.3 rbs and Woolridge 8.7ppg and 4.3 rbs. Also coming on strong in the absence of Combs, is senior to be 6'9" Temara. Averaging 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rb, but since the departure of Combs; those numbers are up to 11 ppg and 7.5 rbs. Other currently active players include juniors to be: Brice, Brown, and Holston. Brice at 7'1" hasn't make the progress you would like in his second year, but maybe with the right coach and another year experience; he could tap into more of that potential. Brown's numbers are down from last year, but he can be deadly with the 3 pointer. Holston is the defensive ace and because of the current lack of front court players, has been playing a lot at the 4. A very versatile player that if he could further develop his offensive game, would definitely be an asset. White-Pittman and Fuller are injury red shirts this year. Add in the recruits, Simmons and Wainright. Simmons (6'9") a recent player of the week from Cedar Hill, the number 4 team in the state. At the time he was named POW he was averaging 16 pts, 12 rbs and 6 blocks. If he had not already signed with NT; he would be one of the most sought after recruits in the state. Wainright a 6'4 guard is averaging 15.1 ppg and 4.8 rbs for the 20-4 Trinity Valley JC. I strongly believe that if the new coach can keep the nucleus of this team and add a few players that NT could quickly turn this program around.

Down 8 at the half

Need some clarification from @BillySee58 if no contact is allowed until April 15th, how do Junior Days work? This is no longer a dead period, but a quiet period. Kids can visit campus' but coaches can't visit the HS or athlete. As a HS coach this worries me, if 7 on 7 groups are allowed to start this you could see AAU type corruption enter the Football world.

No problem...you no longer live in the area. But, Dot's Hop House is one great beer house...restaurant...bar in the Deep Ellum area of downtown Dallas. Owned by the super supportive UNT grads that also own Oak Street Deprafthouse and East Side Social Club in Dallas. The UNT Alumni Association along with Athletics held a pre-HOD Bowl event there the night before our recent HOD Bowl appearance. Dot's has a fantastic outside beer garden area as well. If ever back in the Dallas area you really should check it out. Food is great as well.

I'm expecting OL announced this week, and DL closer to start of next week. Zero inside info just timing wise it makes sense

BACK ON TRACK BENNY!!!!!

Ask and you shall receive: Season NT 3-FG NT 3-FG Att Opponent 3-FG Opponent 3-FG Att Margin 3-FG Margin 3-FG Att 2014-2015 146 484 230 686 -84 -202 2015-2016 186 567 232 635 -46 -68 2016-2017* 136 436 177 521 -41 -85 * I haven't entered in the game against FIU yet. I don't have any games entered into my database for 2012 and 2013 so I can't tell you right away what the margin is for the entire Benford era. Under Benford the team has never done well at defending the 3.

To my understanding hosting a junior day specific to only kids from a recruiting "site" and calling it a junior day is unprecedented

I hope this doesn't effect Benny's new extension! Just think what he could do with 4-5 more years.

make that happen. my son will play.

Absolutely. It without a doubt will continue to hurt recruiting. It is the first place a lot of our students go as well...not a good introduction, IMO. Hell, 7 years ago I walked in and thought it was a dump. It's built bizarrely where the steps are the actual structure of the facility, so I really don't think we would be able to renovate it and it be worthwhile. If we insist we need to keep it for the university, OK. Build our BB team a 6-8K arena with luxury boxes and, well, lighting.

Ok, so Lawson comes out in the 2nd half with 4 turnovers and he hits 1 3pt and coach is happy? Crazy

Pretty much nailed it. One thing I always add is would you like the school enough to stay should your position coach, coordinator or HC get fired.

Yeah I've been to both and not much more interest than there is for athletics. However, I have seen fry street packed to the brim before, so let's be fair the town/school are interested in one thing: drinking. Just not going to football games to do it.

When I would talk to a player of mine being recruited, I asked them a few things. 1) Do you like the school? 2) Do you like the coaches? 3) Do you think you will get a good education there? If the answer to all 3 was yes, I would advise them not to look at the conference or the size of the school. I would instead ask them if they were one of the top recruits or "one of the others". Finally, I would advise to go where you will play the most. That will make for the best experience. If you are #20 on their list of 20, it is likely that you won't have the experience you want. Go to the school where you are one of their top recruits instead. Some listened, many didn't. Stars in their eyes... and 18 years old. At that age you know everything.

Folks...check out this silent auction item: Check out the autographs!

Probably the healthiest attitude to have towards UNT athletics in general.

Agree and I'm hearing this from others as well. Plus GG, as you mentioned earlier in the season...(first of January I think it was)...how well we looked in a game when Benford had to give extended PT due to early fouls and an injury. There's no telling how good a team we could have if we just had some actual coaching going on. Rick

Well maybe because there is nothing exactly like it. Good or bad Now some want to spend millions of dollars because the outside of the Pit is ugly. I am sure that is what is keeping basketball attendance down. First thanks for a logical argument. The SP construction cost was reported under $8m when built. The UTA arena costs $78m in 2012 and seats 7,000. That amount of money will buy a lot of electrical work. Apparently, someone has done a cost analysis that concludes it makes financial sense to build rather than renovate. That is fine, but remember that Fouts had the same electrical problems and that went on for years. I am not opposed to building a new basketball arena, just think there are a lot of higher priorities. Those priorities include: indoor multi-use training facility, new track facility, repairs and upgrades to the soccer field, softball field and tennis courts. Plus insure that all sports have adequate locker rooms and equipment. Also finish renovations of athletic center. I doubt all these projects will cost as much as the proposed new basketball facility which with a lot of bells and whistles could approach $100m. Baker is going to have to find a lot of new donors to make this feasible.

Should I say "Thank you sir, may I have another!" Or just remain silent for another 20 loss season?

Junior.

The Super Pit is a fine place to watch basketball. The biggest problem is the product on the floor over the last 4 or 5 seasons...

Hey i use to register there for classes, stand in line for class cards get to the last one and the class was closed. have to sit in a seat and figure out how to make my schedule work and go thorough the lines again. Good times plus you got to see everyone there. Yes I am old.

I really, really, really do not see this happening. No winning seasons in five years. If UNT were really serious about athletics, he would have already been gone. There's no debate.

by the empty floor seats i say there is no support for benford.

Not sure that we could afford what it would take to keep a guy from getting poached by a P5. It isn't even just the money, it is also the step up in career and opportunity.

for some, they are...

so he now has 4 more years to actually win a tournament game. Nice to get to the tournament, but it is high time to take the next step.

I'm in.

Why put in the extra costs of tearing down the stadium and then building something that will also eventually be torn down? If it was your money, would you do something like that when it adds costs to your personal project?