GoMeanGreen.com Football

USA Today on Tony

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:26:32 +0000

"After a strong showing with Team USA's U19 National Team and an impressive freshman season, there were high expectations for Mitchell this year. However, the 6-8 forward regressed in his sophomore season at North Texas, in large part because of the team's coaching change. His points, rebounds, assists and blocks dropped significantly in his second collegiate season, as did his field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2013/05/15/scouting-combine-cj-mccollum-norvel-pelle-ricardo-ledo-tony-mitchell-glen-rice-jr/2164871/

Mean Green are No. 98 team in Sentinel preseason rankings

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:50:20 +0000

Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel has ranked all 125 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 125 to our projected No. 1 team.

Today at No. 98: North Texas

Coach: Dan McCarney (9-15, entering third season; 65-100 overall)

2012 record: 4-8 (3-5 Sun Belt, tied for sixth)

Look back: North Texas took a slight step back in its win-loss record during the 2012 season, coach Dan McCarney's second season leading the program. The Mean Green opened the season with a loss at LSU and a win over Texas Southern. The team hung around in close losses to nationally ranked Kansas State and Troy. However, North Texas stumbled through Sun Belt play, unable to consistently find a way to the end zone. North Texas scored 21 points or fewer in eight of 12 games during the 2012 season, including low point tallies during losses to Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe.

Offensive starters returning: 8

Offensive starters lost: 3

Defensive starters returning: 8

Defensive starters lost: 3

Key losses: OL Aaron Fortenberry, WR Chris Bynes, WR Ivan Delgado, TE Andrew Power, DL Tevinn Cantly, P Will Atterberry

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/college-gridiron-365/os-north-texas-mean-green-ranked-98-20130519,0,7149502.post?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sports%2Fcollege%2Foncampus+(College+Gridiron+365)

Tony Mitchell's comments on "not playing hard"

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:40:16 +0000

Tony Mitchell commented at the NBA Scouting Combine this week about how he coasted at times last season.

It has been open season on Mitchell since with people commenting on what that says about Mitchell as a person.

I thought it said a lot too about how Mitchell has taken the high road throughout the last year.

Mitchell could have said any number of things to explain away last year. Considering his stature as a former Dallas area star and likely first-round NBA draft pick and how last season went, what he had to say carried a lot of weight. And he put the blame on himself instead of anyone else. He talked about how he needed to be more consistent. He talked about the injuries UNT suffered last year.

I cant remember a single time Mitchell has uttered a word that would hurt UNTs program after one of the most disappointing seasons in school history.

Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/05/thoughts-on-mitchell-and-his-not-playing-hard-comment.html/

I was on break for a while...

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:09:14 +0000

Someone please catch me up on the last few months? Thanks.

North Texas 2013 Preview -- USA Today

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:45:33 +0000

North Texas has its new stadium, which is lovely, and a new home in Conference USA, a decided upgrade over the Sun Belt Conference. Now that these factors are settled, what UNT needs desperately is its Seneca Wallace.

You remember Wallace if not from his turn at Iowa State, at least from his near-decade as a do-everything skill player in the NFL. It was Wallace who gave coach Dan McCarney's team that extra jolt in the early 2000s, lending a well-coached team the sort of limitless, ankle-breaking talent it needed to finally get over the hump against its Big 12 bullies.

More than a decade later, McCarney is searching for a Wallace in Denton. North Texas is technically sound, more often than not; what's missing is some greased lightning, and the dearth of playmakers is again a concern as the Mean Green prepare for a raised level of competition in Conference USA.

LAST YEAR'S PREDICTION

Now, consider two big-picture factors. The first: North Texas is certainly getting better under McCarney, but it's too soon to think of this team as bowl-worthy, or as a Sun Belt leader. This team's goal should be further improvement while the program as a whole prepares for the upcoming conference swap. Secondly: Arkansas State despite the coaching change Louisiana-Lafayette, Florida International and Western Kentucky are farther along in the process. UNT doesn't quite match up with that group both in personnel and scheme meaning the Mean Green aren't as well-versed in this new system as those conference rivals are in theirs. While it would be nice for North Texas to end its Sun Belt run atop the league, I doubt that comes to pass.

2012 RECAP

In a nutshell: North Texas had only one win of consequence, a 30-23 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette on national television, and can only make a case for two wins that got away, a 14-7 defeat to Troy and a 25-24 decision to Western Kentucky in the season finale. It was a bit of a bore, this team, with so little explosiveness and such little flavor, and the Mean Green need a spark before taking the field against Idaho to begin the 2013 season. The Mean Green also could use an offense: UNT finished 105th nationally in scoring, primarily as a result of a weak passing game. Defense would also help: UNT has improved, especially since the Todd Dodge days, but there's a tremendous amount of room for further progression.

High point: The win over Louisiana-Lafayette. The Mean Green outlasted Mark Hudspeth's Ragin' Cajuns, pulling away late in a game televised nationally by ESPN.

Low point: The close losses hurt, but UNT was often on the sour end of a double-digit defeat. Six losses came by two or more touchdowns: LSU (41-14), Kansas State (35-21), Houston (I frequently have to go to the doctor to have foreign objects removed from my rectum), Middle Tennessee State (38-21), Arkansas State (37-19) and Louisiana-Monroe (42-16).

Read more: http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/2322131

Well, at least our betting line has started off... decent.

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:58:02 +0000

http://www.beyondthebets.com/betonline-releases-college-football-point-spreads-for-all-week-1-games/

Mitchell keeps faith in basketball skills

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:30:43 +0000

CHICAGO As it turned out, Tony Mitchells college detour didnt cause irreparable harm to his future.

The former Mizzou recruit, who never was able to gain entrance, is projected as a first-round pick in next months NBA draft and said after his workout at the pre-draft combine that hes hoping to go as high as No. 20.

Two seasons at North Texas were far from perfect, but the 6-foot-8 power forward doesnt feel he missed a beat by not playing for a major program.

Not at all, he said. I just kept faith and the Lord just kept blessing me. Ive got an opportunity to do something amazing for my family and Im going to keep working at it.

Mitchell otherwise avoided commenting on how a questionable academic record led to him being declared ineligible by the NCAA out of high school. He went on to enroll at North Texas and averaged 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds his first season before dropping to 13.0 and 8.5.

The Mean Green stumbled last season, posting a 12-20 record that frustrated Mitchell. He admitted to displaying terrible body language throughout the season and suspects teams are watching him closely.

They want to know am I going to give it my all every possession, he said. This season I was going up and down, cruising. These guys are looking at my effort and how hard I really work.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mitchell-keeps-faith-in-basketball-skills/article_b24d10a4-ae80-5cc3-bd3b-455ab2c361ae.html

North Texas forward Tony Mitchell answers Pistons' tough questions

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:26:07 +0000

CHICAGO North Texas power forward Tony Mitchell expected the grilling over his underwhelming sophomore season.

But of all the tough interviews he faced this week at the NBA draft combine, his short time with the Pistons on Thursday night left an indelible memory.

That was probably one of my toughest interviews, actually, Mitchell said Friday afternoon. They got after me early, early. But I respect Joe Dumars and all those guys. It was an informative and great interview.

What was so tough?

They asked questions constantly, he said while snapping his fingers for emphasis. I had to give an answer and be honest with them. It was a great interview, though.

Read More: http://www.freep.com/article/20130518/SPORTS03/305180054/tony-mitchell-NBA-draft-combine-detroit-pistons

Coach Mac interview on Sirius XM

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:54:52 +0000

http://m.soundcloud.com/siriusxmsports/north-texas-head-coach-dan

They called us the Green Wave ...

New 2013 CFN North Texas Preview

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:56:05 +0000

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1292363.html

NT HOF Worthy

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:32:27 +0000

The athletic year is a round of golf and some track meets away from being over. So I though it would be appropriate to discuss what departing athletes should go into the NT HOF. Here are my nominations for future consideration.

First, I don't think anyone qualifies in football, WBB, WGolf, Softball, Volleyball,

Josephine Adams would be my best candidate. Several school records and multiple conference championships in last two years in track. She is listed as a sr. by NT, but a jr. in other places. Hope the latter is true, but either way she has already earned her way into the NT HOF.

Carlos Ortiz., the best player on the resurgence golf team. All conference 4 years

Michelle Young, Several top five NT all time stat leaders in soccer. All Belt two years.

Tony Mitchell, this is an iffy pick for me; but on the basic of his rookie year, rebound career record after only two years, and publicity he has gotten the school, and the belief he will be first drafted NBA in decades gives him my nod. He may need a solid pro career to cement a nomination. Something that should not matter but obviously does to the electing committee.

Catia Weickgenent - Top ten performer in NT swimming history in 10 different categories with numerous school records

Honorable Mention

Rodolfo Cazaubon - Another golfer who played a big part in NT's recent success

Barbara Vykydalova - Had a very good tennis career at NT, didn't play number 1 so it is hard to justify the HOF

Kimmy Phillips - Great two years in NT swimming, but no rewards for anyone transferring to another school

Mitchell - �This season I was going up and down and cruising"

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:01:54 +0000

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/05/tony-mitchell-has-big-day-at-combine.html/

Did Tony just admit that he cruised this season? That stinks. I know we saw that on the court but just a shock to hear him admit it.

Wake Forrest fans put up billboard demanding HC,AD fired

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:51:35 +0000

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/wake-forest-fans-erect-billboard-demanding-firing-coach-042842808.html

Conference USA Meetings Recap

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:28:50 +0000

Conference USA Concludes 2013 Spring Meetings

DESTIN, Fla. Conference USA concluded its annual Spring Meetings today in Destin, Fla. C‐USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky and staff hosted Athletics Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, Faculty Athletics Representatives and head coaches for football, men's and women's basketball from its 16 member institutions for the upcoming 2013‐14 season.

The meetings launched on Monday and both coaches and administrators discussed key topics for the newly aligned membership, including NCAA national governance, scheduling, formatting, revenue distribution, video and television.

Eight potential bowl partners participated in the weeks activities as the league looks at its future bowl agreements. Conference television partners also attended to focus on current and future distribution through television and streaming.

Sites for several Conference USA Championships were selected and will be given to the C‐USA Board of Directors for final approval. As previously announced, the 2014 C‐USA Mens and Womens Basketball Championship will be hosted by UTEP.

We had an amazing week, C‐USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said. Our members were focused and worked hard on policies and platforms to prioritize the things that will add to our success moving forward. A set of principles was developed that includes operational integrity, support of the academic missions of our universities and unwavering commitment to student‐athlete welfare. Most of all, we truly enjoyed the opportunity to have this time together.

The Conference USA Board of Directors will meet on Monday, June 10.

Read more: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/c-usa/genrel/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2013springmeetings.pdf

OR

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/conference_usa_concludes_sprin.html#incart_river

Tulane's 2013 football schedule holds plethora of opportunities

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:43:14 +0000

The Tulane football team has at least one thing going into its favor this fall in its second campaign under Coach Curtis Johnson: its schedule.

Instead of opening up with monsters in the first two weeks like it has in some seasons in the recent past, the Green Wave kicks off 2013 with SWAC opponent Jackson State and the Sun Belt’s South Alabama.

There is no SEC team on the pre-Conference USA docket and the best non-league opponents appear to be Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe and Syracuse—three teams Tulane plays in a row in September.

Within Conference USA play, Tulane will face some brand-new faces as teams North Texas, Florida Atlantic and University of Texas San Antonio join the league this fall.

5. North Texas (Oct. 5)

Can this be the homecoming opponent Tulane has dreamed of? The Green Wave will find out Oct. 5 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. North Texas finished 4-8 last season and 3-5 in the Sun Belt. Tulane hasn’t won a homecoming contest since 2006 but this is the weakest-looking opponent during the six-year homecoming losing streak. North Texas does return quarterback Derek Thompson, who passed for 2,649 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.

The Eagle (big womans recruit) has landed

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:27:58 +0000

North Texas womens basketball coach Mike Petersen made reference to a big-time recruit the Mean Green was about to sign during the schools coaches caravan a few days ago.

With it being the end of the signing period, I did a little asking around and can safely report that: The Eagle has landed. Signed on the line. Jumped on board.

It went down last week.

The only catch?

UNT is going to wait a day or two to identify said catch recruit.

UNT has done a pretty remarkable job of improving its talent level under Petersen.

Candice Adams, a top 100 national recruit who had committed to Texas, backed out and signed with UNT in the early period.

Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/05/the-eagle-big-recruit-has-landed.html/

Who leads the team in rebounding this year?

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:20:25 +0000

Assuming we are done.

As "disappointing" as Tony Mitchell's 2012-2013 season was, he did average 8.5 rebounds per game. It'll be interesting to see who picks up the slack.

My pick: Colin Voss with somewhere between 5.5-6 per game.

Peterson has big news --soon

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:07:12 +0000

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/05/the-eagle-big-recruit-has-landed.html/

Florida International Preview - USA Today

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:51:56 +0000

Florida International's rocky, choppy climb to the upper crust of the Sun Belt Conference hit quite the snag last fall, sending the Golden Panthers down multiple pegs just as the program heads into its debut season as a member of Conference USA.

This coming year has all the makings of a rebuilding season: FIU has a new coach, new players and a new league, three factors that contribute to the general sense of impending doom surrounding this team as it enters offseason conditioning. The new coach is not Butch Davis, by the way, but rather Ron Turner, the ex-Illinois coach who spent the last eight seasons in the NFL before returning to the college game.

The slide happened overnight, it seems. After reaching back-to-back bowl bids from 2010-11, FIU dropped to 3-9 in 2012, its final season under Mario Cristobal. (Cristobal has since landed on his feet as Alabama's offensive line coach.) Only a late-season win against Florida Atlantic saved FIU from tying South Alabama for last place in the Sun Belt and tying for last place in the Sun Belt effectively makes you one of the five or six worst teams in college football, most would say.

Unfortunately, the climb back to relevancy won't occur with the same velocity. FIU is staring at another multiple-year rebuilding project, and that must sting for a fan base that very recently believed such days were a thing of the past.

LAST YEAR'S PREDICTION

When it comes to the Sun Belt, the only thing that can stop Florida International is Florida International. This is what happens when you combine the league's best offensive line, best defensive line, best overall defense and best running game: you get the best team in the Sun Belt. No other team is as complete, even if the Golden Panthers are slanted heavily towards the defensive side of the ball. No other team has such senior leadership especially where it counts, up front on offense and in the front seven on defense. No other team in the SBC can match the program's clear and obvious climb over the last two seasons. Others disagree, it seems; to me, FIU is clearly the Sun Belt's best team in 2012. Expectations are high, and for good reason.

2012 RECAP

In a nutshell: Not every disappointing team needs to play in a major conference, with Florida International as our most recent example. At worst, FIU was viewed as the third-best team in the Sun Belt; in terms of talent and experience, this was an easy bowl team with room for more. What ensued was an utter disappointment that word again with FIU winning only three games, losing nine, and dropping from successive bowl berths to the bottom third of the nation's weakest conference. The slide was inexplicable, and served in large part as the school's rationale for jettisoning Cristobal after his years of hard work building FIU into a program worthy of inclusion into Conference USA. Cristobal's replacement inherits a team with far less talent, far lower expectations and far less of a chance of achieving anything of consequence in 2013.

High point: A 34-24 win over rival Florida Atlantic, the Panthers' second win in a row against the Owls after losing eight of their first nine in the series. The Panthers also lost five games by a touchdown or less, including a 28-21 loss to Louisville during non-conference play.

Low point: Those same close setbacks meant the difference between three wins and a potential bowl berth. FIU lost to Louisville, Middle Tennessee State, Troy, Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe the latter in overtime by a combined 26 points.

Tidbit: The three teams FIU beat in 2012 finished a combined 6-31 on the season: Akron went 1-11, South Alabama 2-11 and FAU 3-9. This was the second-worst defeated opponent's win total of any three-win team in the FBS in 2012, ahead of only UTEP, which had victories over New Mexico State (1-11), Tulane (2-10) and Southern Mississippi (0-12).

read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/05/14/florida-international-fiu-college-football-countdown-2013-preview/2158467/

Looks like the UNT men will stand pat (for now) with recruiting class

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:51:22 +0000

I checked in yesterday with the UNT men’s basketball team’s staff and then caught up with a university spokesman today.

Baring a huge surprise, UNT will stand pat with its recruiting class as the signing period comes to an end today.

UNT was really hoping that Zach Peters would sign and provide the team another option and some experience in the post. That plan fell through when the 6-foot-9 forward committed to Arizona.

As I mentioned yesterday, there are still options out there for UNT. There are high school players who could be added late like Kedrick Hogans was in August several years ago. There are also several transfers sitting out there on the market.

UNT has already picked up one transfer in Vertrail Vaughns, a George Mason transfer guard, who Tony Benford and the rest of the staff are really excited about.

So what does UNT have as we hit the end of the signing period?

Here’s a look: