Hoops Update

Don't see any comparison to Tramiel. More in the mold of Shorter; with a better outside shot. Very powerful down low despite his 6-4 height. A better comparison might be a smaller David Miller, (who played some center at 6-5) Rich Young & Shorter. Would be a fan favorite with his intensity and hustle. Relentless on defense.

If the choices are between Miller and Payne, give me Roger Franklin!

Mean Green Blog

Dwight Miller will be in tomorrow. He has to be at the top of UNT's wish list.

UNT could be scary with Miller in the middle next season. It would be huge if UNT could get him.

After transferring from the University of Pittsburgh, the 6-foot-8, 245-pound sophomore forward enrolled for his sophomore year at Midland College.

Miller is originally from Nassau, Bahamas, and played high school ball at St. Pius X in Houston. He has been solid for the Midland (26-3, 12-1 in WJCAC) this season, starting in 24 of 29 games and averaging 8.3 points and 5 rebounds a contest.

vito has updated his blog with a list of who is coming back and how many ships remain. knox is a nice kid but will never produce at this level, should we still give a full ride? how about if mitchell does not get his hours and grades needed over the summer does that free up another ship until he is qualified?

Agree with you on Knox. Don't agree we should pull sholly if he is trying his best tho unless he wants to transfer which I doubt. Don't want to jinx it but am hearing Tony is ahead of schedule right now. This is not one you let slip through the cracks as he is considered a program changer.

I saw some signs from Knox this year, he may not get a ton of minutes but I think he can be a guy that can give a solid 10-15 minutes a game. If he can make more improvement, he could be someone who has value. I also hate the fact that kids that work hard and maybe don't have the talent can have their scholarships taken away. For once I would like to see the star that doesn't work hard, doesn't do well in the classroom, and breaks the law have their scholarship taken away.

Don't want to jinx it but am hearing Tony is ahead of schedule right now.

In the classroom, right?

Question: If Tony completes 15 hours in the Spring semester, then 9 hours over the summer, would he 1) be eligible to practice with the team after the second summer semester, and 2) Be eligible at the start of basketball season?

Edited April 15, 2011 by UNT90

In the classroom, right?

Question: If Tony completes 15 hours in the Spring semester, then 9 hours over the summer, would he 1) be eligible to practice with the team after the second summer semester, and 2) Be eligible at the start of basketball season?

No to both. The NCAA will re-assess his eligibility at the end of Fall semester 2011.

And again, keep in mind it's not his "grades" that made him in-eligible at Mizzou, but rather where they came from. I'm not concerned in the lease about Mitchell's ability as a student-athlete at UNT...the only thing that needs to worry anybody is how the NCAA deems his association with CLA and that's completely out of our hands.

Repeat this please: "Tony Mitchell is not a grade risk and I will stop posting concerns over his completing 24 hours of class work in 10 months time...mainly because it makes me sound like an idiot."

I saw some signs from Knox this year, he may not get a ton of minutes but I think he can be a guy that can give a solid 10-15 minutes a game. If he can make more improvement, he could be someone who has value. I also hate the fact that kids that work hard and maybe don't have the talent can have their scholarships taken away. For once I would like to see the star that doesn't work hard, doesn't do well in the classroom, and breaks the law have their scholarship taken away.

Knox has some very limited value right now. He might develop and turn into a contributor, but even if he doesn't he still has some value. Mainly him being 6'10".

Stars do have their scholarships taken away sometimes, it’s just that there is usually another program waiting in the wings to give them a second chance and another full ride.

I thought hippie liberals that call others idiots were spelling nazis? Guess not.

Mitchell is a rent-to-own player, right?

Josh Harrellson was never supposed to be good enough to see anything but garbage time for Kentucky till this year. Then he became arguably the piece that put them over the top into being a Final Four caliber team. I'm not saying that is in Knox's future, but if there's one thing I have seen multiple times watching college basketball, it's that big men who look uncoordinated as all hell can figure it out seemingly out of nowhere.

Edited April 16, 2011 by CMJ

knox may blossom someday into value but at what point does the risk outweigh the project? i think ualr gained a 6 point swing in the final when knox was in the game and we lost by 1.

You think wrong.

Knox played from 15:53 in the 2nd half to 10:22. When he came in, we trailed by one. When he left, we trailed by one.

Also... If the worst thing about the 13th scholarship player on your roster is that he's academically successful, 6'10" tall, and has shown flashes of quality play when given minutes and consistent improvement over his career... There are worse situations.

If Knox played for Denver, by now he'd be 3rd team all Sun Belt in their system. Instead, he can't get the minutes here to really develop. But he's not complaining or transferring.

Somebody has to be the 11-13th guys on the bench. We could do a LOT worse than Ben. And as other have said... He could still elevate his game.

Edited April 16, 2011 by TheTastyGreek

If CLA was the issue and not "late qualifier for Big XII" then in my mind Tony Mitchell wouldn't have a HS diploma, right? How could the NCAA refuse to allow an athlete to play if they've completed lets say 24 hrs. of course work, or the NCAA minimum requirement with an acceptable GPA of 2.5 or again whatever the NCAA has state as their minimum requirements for students grades?

I've always thought that Tony Mitchell is smart enough to make his grades in college. Mr. Mitchell is no different than any of us that have goals life. First and foremost Mr. Mitchell needs to make his grades so he can get on the court. Once Mr. Mitchell does this he can improve his BB skills and show NBA teams over the long haul he has what it takes on the court to be successful in the NBA. At the same time being a success in the classroom will show the NBA teams they can trust him to successfully represent them off the court. If successfully done this means more money in Mr. Mitchell's pocket later in life!!! I for one am willing to let the past be the past and support Mr. Mitchell in becoming all he can be on and off the court. Without Mr. Mitchell's past hurdles regarding the CLA and being a late qualifier are the only reasons the UNT nation are fortunate enough to be bless with Mr. Mitchell's involvement with UNT. I'm not interested in anything else but supporting him to get on the court and enjoying a great experience at UNT. Mr. Mitchell's course work and grades at UNT just a part of the requirements to be here and a success within our program. I have just as much faith in Mr. Mitchell's ability to do this as I do in his abilities on the court.

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No to both. The NCAA will re-assess his eligibility at the end of Fall semester 2011.

Repeat this please: "Tony Mitchell is not a grade risk and I will stop posting concerns over his completing 24 hours of class work in 10 months time...mainly because it makes me sound like an idiot."

Well, considering I was actually asking questions about him finishing his classwork AHEAD of schedule, I guess you didn't mean the above statement to apply to me?

But, fans are going to have classroom concerns about any player that does not qualify coming out of high school for whatever reason. That's life.

And, unless the NCAA declares Mitchell a professional because of his association with CLA, I don't think his high school credits factor in at all as long as he completes the required 24 semester hours by the end of the fall semester. As I understand it, just like the old prop 48.

UNT90...My post wasn't directed at you. I'll have to brush up on old prop 48. As far as players attending CLA and as a result being declared "Professional" I'd think we'd have to look and see if any other CLA graduates are attending other college programs ie Big 6 conferences to see if they're currently playing and on team rosters. If this is the case I'd believe the NCAA would have to declare all these players "Professional's" and not just Mr. Mitchell.

Point of my previous post was based on all I've read about Tony Mitchell is that he seems to be upstanding young man that was put in a bad situation by K-State coach or coaches. From my view point his ability to make his grades was overblown based on the situation surrounding Mr. Mitchell and given the opportunity would be a fine student. Not saying Mr. Mitchell would be an honor roll student, but most who attend college aren't either. In my view Mr. Mitchell and his family need to catch a break on this issue from UNT faithful since he's attending UNT, and let the past be the past. If Mr. Mitchell's situation was a character issue involving felony criminal activity then my opinion would differ somewhat, but there isn't a hint of evidence to support this. UNT is blessed to have Mr. Mitchell here along with all of our other new recruits and current players, so I'll have the faith that all of then will do what is necessary to develop on and off the court. Least of which will be my concern about Mr. Mitchell's grades until it becomes apparent he's not making his grades. Based on Harry's post looks like Mr. Mitchell's doing fine on the GPA front.

I hope Mr. Mitchell is enjoying his time at the REC Monday and Tuesday evenings. I wish I could get to Denton to see Tony play. Next year you can count on many road trips on my part to see UNT. It's also my hope that UNT schedules Houston, Rice, and A&M so I won't have to drive as far to see UNT play BB.

If the choices are between Miller and Payne, give me Roger Franklin!

Done!