raygogreen

Agree. Its how much he improved the program. In this case from 5 wins a year to 20 wins, and competitive out of conference. LSU already has Bobo Morgan, so they need some shooters and a point. If he improves LSU that much, they are where they want to be.

I think Dennis also mentioned his ankles and his ability to play defense as reasons for his off-the-bench role earlier. Seems to be well know.

My mistake then, I thought Lurch was center and Mitchell and Bailey were forwards, with Bailey replaced by Lister when he graduacted, So much for my memory. So can I use 6'7" Kenny Lyons?

Unless he turns out like Dennis Rodman (6'8"-7 years in a row leading the NBA in rebounding, top defender, with no shot range) or like Kenny Williams from the Blakely era who led the nation in rebounding as a 6th man at 6'7". If thats the role player we are talking about, I'm ok. I would rather have desire, timing, jumping ability, quick feet and instincts, which the shot blocking abilitiy talks to, than the additional 20-30 lbs or a few extra inches. Granted, he has to be strong at the lighter weight.

The article says that Riley became the 5th straight Southlake QB to win offesnsive player of the year. Those were 5 different QBs that had been groomed over years. If you look back at how things were managed at SLC, sometimes the backup QB in the system would play a receiver role in his junior year. That might not be as feasible in college, but he does show a history of effectively managing the QB situation. Also, look back at Dodge's career at Texas where he had high expectations that sometimes overshadowed a successful career. I'm sure that will impact his decision about his own son's playing time.

Towe played for North Carolina State in the mid-70s-same team as long-time NBA player David Thompson, whio could leap out of the gym.

Well, sometimes you just don't know what you just don't know. But what I can surmise is this: > Dodge probably cannot legally hire staff since he is still employed at SLC > Dodge does not want to fail, especially this close to home and leaving a sure thing behind. I doubt he made this choice in a vacuum without studying the existing player pool and prospects for quickly augmenting needs. I assume he sees what I think many of us see, a UNT team with more talent than is apparent-they just quit on Dickey (as evident from the "Green Team" performance). As a longtime Southlake resident, I can see formation in the future using Tune at QB and simultaneous receiver/running back core of some combe of Jackson, Fitzgerald, Jamario, Robertson, Seidle, and Wilson (yes, Woody, ala Randall El from the Steelers Super Bowl team). > If he intends on coaching his son at UNT, I am certain he is already scouring the countryside for offensive lineman and receivers and has a good idea what is available through his network of HS coaches. > I think Dodge astutely analyzed the SLC situation and why it was postiioned for ongoing success-basically a city with resources where all players are funnelled to a single HS. While UNT does not have that, I'm certain he sees a rising tide at UNT and intends to ride the wave (student growth, population growth, and better economics for the region than in any time since the 1970's-no small point for raising money)

A long time friend of mine has a son by the name of Brent Tittle who plays OL at Richland. He's listed at 6'4" and 340. My friend says he seriously is considering UNT (prior to knowing about Dodge). His sister just graduated from UNT. He had another son that was 6'8" and over 350 that wanted to go to a major college and did not get an offer so went to Div II Harding in Ark. I think the family is much more realistic now. But I don't know how Brent rates.

Don't count me in that group. I like what Jones is doing and think he should be given more time rather than less. Changing a culture, building tradition takes time. First, the competitive level has to change in practices, which I sense is now there. The wins on the road against good teams (starting with the near miss at A&M last year-look where they are now!), says the players are starting to believe. Now, they need to sustain it through a whole season. I also think a good basketball fan is crazy for not going to the games-its one of the best values around. I take my sons (11 and 13) and we sit down close and watch. But then again, I owned Maverick season tickets in the early years and sat down close too. Then they started winning and priced me out!

On Morgan, I don't remember exactly. I seem to remember him having some health problems, blood pressure and such. I also think he had a young family to support.

Thought they were pre-Blakeley but chould be wrong. Blakely had Spud Web signed here but was fired that year because by that time they decided he could not coach or recruit.

I loved watching Blakeley's run-and-gun teams. Never missed a game. And they were ranked, until they played someone of calibre and lost. Walter "Weasel" Johnson was one of our best point guards ever and combined with Melvin "Lurch" Davis to make our best nicknamed team. I also remember the "Pacer Pitch-in" to attract fans. Fred Mitchell from the elbow, Carl Jones and Norvell Miles from 3-point land (before it counted), and Terry Bailey as the best snow-bird in college history (and a good player otherwise).

Let me start this by saying I've been going to NT basketball since the original "Snake Pit". And every coach NT has had since then either couldn't coach or couldn't recruit. Period And the "grass is always greener" argument is always there. I watched Bill Blakely take a losing team and turn it into 3 twenty game winners. They maybe had the most talent of any NT teams, but they were largely recruited by assistant coach, Billy Tubbs who left after the 1st year. And talk about cupcake schedules! But that was because we left the Missouri Valley to become an independent to support football aspirations. Talk about knee jerk "grass is greener" decisions. The next best years were under Gales and our only trip to the NCAAs. Good teams, but one player put us over the top: Ronnie Morgan. Morgan was easily the best low block player at NT I have seen. Imagine if he had been here for more than 1 year! In basketball, one good player puts you over the top. Look at Denver in the last two years or Western Kentucky's history. Gales could recruit, but not cosistently the best players when your schedule consisted of two months of conference road trips by bus in Loiuisiana and Texas. The Southland was always ranked on the low end for conferences with bids or play-ins to the NCAA. Now we are in a conference that is ranked in the middle of the pack as far as power rankings. Not great but not bad. We are competitive, but wish we could do better. Recruits are getting better, and unlike under Trilli, are mostly stying with the program. The wins this year have been against mostly good teams. Turnovers have cost us, but the turnovers are mainly by new players. The adjustment to new players, especially at point guard, takes time. Just ask Avery Johnson. If we had not lost our point guard from last season (Brown), to cut down on turnovers, and then Davis to frustration, my guess is we would be undefeated. In my recollection, this is team ranks with Gale's NCAA playoff team and Blakely's 20 win teams as far as talent and competitiveness. We have good inside and outside players, as well as depth. Times are getting better.