MeanGreen61

Davis lifts UNT past SWMS North Texas survives late scare in season opener 11/23/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As tough as road wins have been to come by in recent years, North Texas will take one any way it can. The Mean Green, however, certainly could have done without the drama in the late stages of its 81-78 victory Friday night over Southwest Missouri State in front of 5,612 fans at the Hammons Center. UNT, which led by 15 points at the half, withstood an 11-0 run early in the second half and held on for the program’s first season-opening road win since a victory at Texas Tech in 1991. SMS guard Terrance McGee, who scored 23 of his game-high 28 points in the second half, missed an open 3-pointer that would have tied the game at the buzzer. "We got one on the road," said UNT swingman Chris Davis, who led the Mean Green with 18 points and eight rebounds. "That’s all that matters." The Mean Green (1-0), which won’t play a home game until Dec. 10, ended the Bears’ streak of 25 consecutive wins in home openers. The only other time SMS (0-1) didn’t win a home opener at the Hammons Center was the first game played in the building, a 72-71 loss to Arkansas in 1976. "That’s good company to be in," said UNT coach Johnny Jones, whose team was 4-10 on the road last season. "I can see why they’ve been so successful here. It’s a tough environment to play in. We knew they were going to make a run in the second half. I’m excited about the way our guys held their composure, knocked down free throws and took care of the basketball." After shooting only one free throw before halftime, the Mean Green made 24 of 28 attempts from the line in the second half. UNT was 15-of-17 from the line in the final seven minutes. UNT took a 39-24 lead into halftime by shooting the lights out — led by guard Leonard Hopkins, who scored all 13 of his points in the first half — and playing stingy defense. The Mean Green made 59 percent of its shots from the floor and 54 percent from 3-point range in the first half. Southwest Missouri, meanwhile, connected at a dismal 32-percent clip from the floor and helped UNT by missing 12 of 18 free throws in the first 20 minutes. After the teams traded pairs of baskets in the opening minutes after halftime, the Bears made their big run, getting easy baskets in transition by taking advantage of poor shot selection by UNT. McGee, the only returning starter for Southwest Missouri, had seven of 11 points in the spurt, cutting UNT’s lead to four at the 15:46 mark. "The crowd got into it and they got a little momentum behind them," said UNT forward Jermaine Green, who scored eight of his 12 points in the final seven minutes of the game, including a critical traditional 3-point play with 2:59 to play. SMS got within one point on several occasions but never could complete the comeback by pulling even or taking a lead. UNT point guard Lee Green, who scored 10 points, hit a 3-pointer to spark an 11-4 run the last time the Bears pulled within one. UNT took a 10-point lead with 30 seconds remaining, leading Jermaine Green to proclaim to no one in particular, "One of many." But the Bears made a pair of 3-pointers and a bank shot while UNT was called for two fouls to set up the drama in the final seconds. "We like to make games tough," Davis said. "But we stuck together and came out with a win. We were able to calm down and make plays when we needed to. This gives us a lot of confidence that we can come out and win on the road." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572. Search

Positive preview ! http://www.sportsline.com/u/ce/feature/0,1...3605_55,00.html

http://www.acadiananow.com/html/61374D2A-1...AC7962EF0.shtml

http://www.sunbeltsports.org/sports/wbk/1196.php

http://www.sunbeltsports.org/sports/news/1198.php

Last in defense, first in offense

Time Rogain, scalp massages & gypsey water? Just kidding!

Posted by Cripple Pet Chicken on the SMU board. Pretty thorough report on this year's version of the Mean Green. Last week someone asked for a scouting report on the Univ. of North Texas, and never let it be said that the CPC didnt give his fans what they want. Besides, this is one of the easiest scouting trips CPC can make. Not only is UNT just right up the road, but beginning this season, they're a Nike school too. CPC doesnt even have to sneak in (like last week at UNLV, but more on that story later) everybody knows me and I can wander around the gym anytime I want, they just think I'm there on business. Besides, their mascot is an Eagle. I'm a chicken. We're practically family. Its a beak thing. The UNT players have several family ties to SMU, as well. Chris Davis, the teams star and the leading scorer in the Sun Belt last year, is the cousin of former Mustang Jeryl Sasser. Leonard Hopkins, (L-Hop) is the older brother of Bryan and Ryan. Center Justin Barnett is the son of SMU Ticket office manager Brett Barnett. So, last week the CPC made the quick flight up I-35 to Denton and stuck his beak into the Super Pit for a visit with his extended family. All that was missing was Sunday dinner. Before we get into my personal observations, I should give you a little background on the Eagles. Two years ago they went 4-24. In the offseason they changed coaches and this past year they were 15-14, with impressive upset wins over TCU and New Mexico State. The one-year 11 game swing was one of the biggest in college basketball last season, and gave it UNT their first winning season since........ well, since before this chick was hatched. In an amazingly short time the Eagles have gone from a basketball laughing stock to a post-season contender, as they return 4 starters from last years team, and mix in a strong group of newcomers. Wing-man Chris Davis was easily the teams best player, and is the early favorite to be this years Sun Belt MVP. Thats no small thing, considering that it puts him ahead of Western Kentucky's Marcus Walker, a guaranteed lottery pick in next years NBA draft. Davis is a 6'5' shooting guard who is the teams main gunner, but does a bit of everything else as well, he was in the top 3 of most statistical categories last season for the Eagles. Davis can score inside or out, and he is definitely the go-to man at crunch time. The rest of UNT's starting lineup will also be back, with forwards Jermaine Green and Will Smith in the frontcourt, and senior Lee Green back at the point. Unjel Masters was a part time starter last year at center, but from what I've seen Barnett is clearly outplaying him at this stage, and is the most likely candidate to start in the post. Unjel is a local kid that I've been watching for years, because he has a huge body, (6'10', 260) but thats all he's got. He didnt have much offensive game in high school, and I frankly dont see him making any progress. Barnett is a little lighter, but he's quicker, and has better moves in the low post. Barnett sat out all of last season with an injury, but I wont be surprised if he is in the starting lineup when the season starts. Green and Smith were solid at forward last year. The taller and thinner Green (6'8' but barely 200 pounds when soaking wet) showed a knack for scoring inside, and a soft touch on his jumper, but he gets pushed around a bit. He was 2nd on the team in points per game, behind Davis. Smith is stronger and a better defender and rebounder, but doesnt have Greens scoring touch. Both of them, though, are going to have to fight to keep their position in the lineup, because JC transfer Michael DeGrate is going to move someone out. My guess is that he will replace Smith, but its too early to really say. DeGrate started his career at Baylor, then left after just one season under Dave Bliss, then spent last year at McLennan JC. He's as strong or stronger than Smith, and has twice the scoring potential. These 5 could produce an interesting rotation in the frontcourt, where UNT can match a scorer (Green, DeGrate) with a banger (Smith, Masters) at all times, resting one pair while playing the other. That way they keep a scorer on the court at all times, and keep their bangers from getting too deep into foul trouble. If incoming freshman Sam Byrd, from Alief Elsik, had passed his summer school classes, the Mean Green would have been even deeper and stronger in the frontcourt, but the 6'10' Byrd seems to be allergic to his text books. The UNT folks are hoping he ccan regain his eligibility by 2nd semester, but CPC isnt holding his breath. The wild card in the frontcourt is going to be freshman forward Ty Thomas. Thomas is a 6'6' small forward who could probably play shooting guard as well. From what CPC has seen, this kid is for real. In their pickup games Thomas is going head to head with Davis and playing him almost dead even. He can shoot, drive, pass, rebound, the whole package. Everyone is saying he's practically a clone of Davis, the Eagles best player. Thomas wasnt that highly recruited, and his high school stats werent that impressive, but he looks phenomenal right now. These are just pickup games, and things may change when the practices become more organized and Thomas has to learn the offensive and defensive systems, but right now it looks like he has the talent to be a star. If Thomas does start at 3, leaving Davis at the shooting guard, UNT will be pretty deep on the wings, as well. Leonard Hopkins, older brother of Bryan and Ryan, will be the back-up at shooting guard again, where he averaged more than 11 points a game last year, while coming off the bench. Once upon a time L-Hop was considered to be just as big a recruit as Bryan, possible with more potential, because he is taller (6'3'.) After his sophomore year he was already considered one of the top guard prospects in the country. In the summer after his sophomore year, though, Leonard suffered a real horrible injury, a broken leg so severe that he would never play basketball in high scchool again. The guy who would have been recruited by every school in the country wound up with just one scholarship offer, to UNT. His freshman year at North Texas he still wasnt completely healed, so he was redshirted. After being out of basketball for 3 years, Leonard came back strong last season, where he was 3rd on the team in points, while coming off the bench to backup Davis. Its been a long road back, and Leonard may never be the star that he once had the potential to become, but he is finally able to play again, and play very well. Leonard gives UNT a very capable backup for their star, Davis, and he also gives them the option of moving Davis to the 3, and going with a smaller, quicker lineup. Next season, after Davis graduates, he will probably step up into the starters role, but for now he makes an excellent insurance ploicy if Davis ever gets injured, or in foul trouble. So, UNT has decent size, depth, and a fair bit of talent. They are also a very experienced team, with most of their squad back intact from last year, and 3 seniors in the starting 5. They play a tough non-conference schedule that includes local rivals SMU, TCU, and Baylor as well as nationally known programs like Indiana, Auburn, and Colorado. No one in the Sun Belt is going to unseat Western Kentucky this year, but with New Mexico State expected to have a down year (eligibility problems) The Eagles could finish as high as 2nd in their conference, and with 2 OOC wins over the more notable teams, they should be in line for an NIT bid. One last note, do NOT foul Davis, Hopkins, Green, or Green. (yeesh, 2 guys named Green, starting for the Mean Green, I think I'm going to get dizzy) They are all very good free throw shooters. I think all of them shot close to or over 80% last year, and they look pretty automatic at the line now.

Found this on the UL-Lafayette board By Ron Briscoe, Southeast Regional Basketball Report North Texas' second year coach Johnny Jones get's his 1st commitment of the Fall... 6'7 GF Sr. David Fisher of South Oak Cliff HS in Dallas, TX give coach Jones a commitment on Monday after his official visit to North Texas last weekend. Fisher is a Top 60 player from the Southeast Region and a Top 20 player from the state of Texas.

The Daily is STILL the University of North Texas student newspaper, not the Dallas Morning News or New York Times. End of my discussion on the subject.

The North Texas Daily is the newspaper of UNT and not UT. Cut it, slice it or dice it any way that you wish an article singing the praises of UT quarterback Chris Simms is STUPID JOURNALISM. I wonder what the response would be if a lead article was published on the UT band instead of the Green Brigade following performances by both. Two simple words that eludes many so called journalist are COMMON SENSE. Shaneb please take your lengthy lectures somewhere else.

This is from Harry's post on the other board concerning Eagle Eye. I am working on a replacement for this medium and will keep you posted on my progress. I am tentatively marking down two-a-days as my deadline but possibly sooner. Bottomline, if you have an active Eagle Eye subscription your membership will be transferring to my new service and we will honor it. Do not be concerned about two-a-day coverage because we will be there providing updates and pictures. I very much value our loyal EE subscriber as their fund help pay for the admministration of this site. Bottomline you will get your moneys worth and more and you have my word on that.

Harry, like the new board ! It'll take a while to get use to, but has a lot of features....

Geeze semi-computer litterate me made it WOW !

Test

Just wondering about Justin Barnett. Seems to have grown from a gangly kid to a big, wide body at about 6'11 and 265 or 270. Know he's had some physical problems (stress fractures,etc), but he's had a red-shirt year to study under JJ and hone his skills. Could be a pleasant surprise !