Censored by Laurie

Alcohol is probably the biggest deterant from people going into the game...even a good game for the bigger lushes. Selling beer inside would not be a terrible idea...I was under the impression it was against NCAA regulations, but if not lets get us a nice contract with Miller and get them inside selling / giving away beer inside as well as outside pre-game. Like a fish to a worm...you tell a drunk theres free beer just indie those walls and he may try to run through them. This post has me thinking of our new stadium...and an idea...so I'm going to hyjack the thread for just a moment. How about this: a horseshoe-like shape to the stadium with an open, grassy area in one endzone (ala Lafayette)...then extend the grassy area up a hill outside the gates as well and set up Mean Green Village there...with a view of the field. Sell grass seats at the game for 3-5 bucks...charge the same to get into Mean Green Village after a certain time...sell beer in the stadium and have people tailgating and drinking just outside the stadium as well...it would create such a great party atmosphere in that endzone. Student section remains the same...season tickets the same so your still filling the regular seats as well but now your getting those who would just sit in the parking lot involved as well. Just throwing it out there...if you don't like it, throw it right back

Like teacher, like pupil. He is straight out of the Gillespie mold...except Billy Clyde wouldn't leave until he had a job lined up. I knew Williams wouldn't stay long...but man that was a bit quick. He probably has another job lined up...just going to let some time pass so it doesn't seem like he was entertaining suitors while prepping UNO for next year. Are all of Gillespie's assistant roles filled yet?

Florida Atlantic exceded many expectations last season,their first season in the SBC, finishing third in the Sun Belt East (16-15, 10-8 SBC), and managing a SBC tourney victory beofre bowing out in the quarterfinals to Western Kentucky. First year head coach Rex Walters took over the program after only a year of assistant coaching experience, sitting on the bench next to Matt Doherty who left FAU after just one season for the 401K program offered him by the Financial Institution of Dallas. Walters has an impressive pedigree. He was named Big 8 Male Athlete of the Year in 1993 and was a 1st round NBA selection of the New Jersey Nets. He had an under-impressive NBA career, but did learn from the likes of Chuck Daly, Larry Brown and Pat Riley. Walters' struggles were perhaps due to feeling that he wasn't even the best Rex in the NBA during the mid-90s...but that’s pure speculation. Projected Starters: PG. Sean Alarcon 6'3" 195 Sr.SG. Paul Graham III 6'5" 190 Jr.SF. Derrick Simmons 6'6" 210 Sr.PF. Carlos Monroe 6'9" 245 Jr.C. Jeff Parmer 6'8" 235 Sr.Frontcourt: Being the newest member of the SBC, perhaps FAU didn't get the memo; in the Sun Belt you're not supposed to have a deep and talented frontcourt. Carlos Monroe (6'9" 245 Jr.) had a monster sophomore campaign, averaging just shy of a double-double (18.4ppg, 9.4rpg) while shooting 60% from the field. Monroe also had a knack for stepping his game up against the better SBC opponents, dropping 29 against USA. One of the biggest positives for Monroe is that he didn't foul out of a single game last season. Monroe earned 2nd team all SBC honors and should be an early candidate for SBC player of the year. Jeff Parmer (6'8" 235) is a very capable compliment to Monroe. Parmer, who originally signed with Providence, averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 boards in his first season with the Owls, and lead the team in blocks (24). Derrick Simmons (6'6" 215) started half of the Owls games last season and was an important role player for Walters, contributing 7.3 points. Two newcomers have a chance to make an impact up front for the Owls. Brett Royster (6'8" 225 Fr.) is a recognizable name in this area. The Arlington Martin graduate was a TX top 100 prospect and helped lead his AAU team to victory at the Great American Shootout in Denton. Sammy Hernandez (6'5" 235 Jr.) will be eligible in January 08 after transferring from George Mason. Hernandez played a significant role in George Mason's Cinderella run to the 06 Final Four in primarily a defensive role for the undersized Patriots against the likes of North Carolina and Florida. If nothing else, Hernandez brings an understanding of how to win...and how to win against top notch competition in college hoops biggest stage. His experiences in the tourney may be enough to merit a scholarship for a school trying to get on the basketball map such as FAU. Big body Seydou Kone (6'9" 250 Sr.) and incoming freshman Jamal Owens (6'6" 225) round out the Owl frontcourt. Backcourt: Now...the question marks begin. Gone from the FAU backcourt are prolific scorer DeAndre Rice (6'3" 200) and steady floor and locker-room leader Brent Crews (6'3" 210). Rice led the Owls in scoring (20.5ppg) and finished with second team all SBC honors. Crews finished third in the Sun Belt in assists per game (4.8) and had the second and third best assists seasons in FAU basketball history. "It won't be easy" was Walter's take on replacing Rice and Crews. Paul Graham III (6'5" 190 Jr) is the most proven of the returning guards. Graham had a very successful, well-rounded sophomore season (14.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.3apg) in a third fiddle role to Monroe and Rice. His ability to raise his game as more of an offensive focus will be a big key to FAU's success. Crews departure leaves the point guard spot as the biggest concern for Walters and at the very least a four horse race at this point. Sean Alarcon (6'3" 195 Sr.) has the size and experience to be the leader in the clubhouse at this point. Alarcon made 13 starts last season, many of those while Rice was out, and contributed 3.4 points and 1.2 assists per contest. Avery Holley (6'0" 175 Soph.) had an impact as a freshman (5.3ppg, 2.6apg) and proved clutch by knocking down 2 game sealing free throws in a January game against UALR. JUCO transfer Carderro Nwoji (6'0" 175) and sophomore Eni Cuna (6'2" 180) will also see time running the offense. Three sophomore guards, Sanchez Hughley (6'4" 225), Xavier Perkins (6'4" 225) and Enrique Rodriguez (6'2" 190) made minimal contributions as freshmen but give Walters' backcourt depth. Summary: Walters' frontcourt is set. Monroe is a legit talent...and to surround him with the likes of Parmer, Hernandez, Simmons and Royster in an under-sized conference like the Sun Belt will make the Owls very competitive. The performance of the FAU backcourt will determine whether this team is a contender or content with third place and an early tournament exit. Graham put up very nice numbers as the third option last season...matching and surpassing those numbers as the second scoring option will be difficult. Crews graduation leaves the Owls very inexperienced at the point. Rex Walters' will have a long leash in Boca Raton, and fans are excited with their initial success last season, however this poor guard play may neutralize their clear advantage on the inside and make Carlos Monroe subject to constant double and triple teams. Best case is another 3rd place in the SBC East and the hopeful arrival of backcourt help for Walters' next recruiting class.

Mo-Ho for his 100 yard int return...Derek Mendoza for going from a walk-on to feeared SBC linebacker...and the Casey-Hurd-Spencer group.

Thank you for this picture...great memories...I've still got a piece of the '02 goal post in my office at work. Papa Todd will have us tearing down goal posts again very soon (that was beginning to be a tradition...and I was all for continuing last season after the FIU game...but I was just too tired).

Our traditions are good for any large University...not just a commuter school. Green on Fridays, lighting the tower after a win, even the first down chant...its just a matter of having the right leadership in place to encourage larger participation. I know there are former Talons on here, so I don't want to offend you personally because I know you hold UNT in high regard...but you have done very little if anything to really involve the general student. The organization itself is a wonderful idea, but it is no where near visable enough...and again don't take it personally...but those who are visable are frequently not who you want trying to birng in new fans...or keep old ones. Are the Eagle Angels still around? They helped for being such a small organization...and I know few of you are Greek, but the AD going to Wings and Lady Wings for support wouldn't be a terrible idea. Tradition, by definition, isn't something thats new every year. We have a solid base...lets build off of that. And no more f'n tortillas.

Man, that Beerman is modern day Aesop...next thing he'll be instructing us to drink chilled beverages of hops, malt and yeast while at a bar...also way to work in "take off" into the plane analogy. Oh...and if we sell the tickets, which I believe hasn't been a problem to this point, raising the prices is a good thing. Forgot I had a point to make amongst my Beerman bashing.

Our current traditions are perfectly adequate...the problem is pathetic participation and an overall lack of school pride. There's no need to add something new for 7% of the student body to execute half-assed-ly. Winning will help increase school pride, but our efforts as those who bleed mean green need to be directed towards ways of keeping freshmen from leaving campus for the weekend, involving the city of Denton and small-town northern Texas, and getting DFW alumni and family to make a day of things in Denton.

Agreed. This should prove to be the most entertaining and tightly contested game UNT has been a part of in a while (FIU 7OT game excluded...shudder). I believe that Emmitt agrees with this sentiment...but the point he was making shouldn't be overlooked. The only way anybody is taking a "wait and see" approach to whether or not Bennett is keeping his job is if they're waiting to see if Joe Paterno is named his replacement. The Financial Institute of Dallas realizes they compete with UNT and Papa Todd (only way I will refer to coach now) for recruits and they are getting lapped. I think most legit SMU fans are nervous and don't feel that the top talent in Texas wants to come to SMU...just a few arrogant idiots on their board...wish they could be more like the Tulsa board, but then we wouldn't have fuel for our "SMU Rivalry " fire.

Tried it...and it didn't work...maybe you didn't pay your bill

Jub is such greatness...now an upset win over OU and maybe Junior comes back around on his alma mater.

I don't pay $40.00 a year to be an ESPN insider for them to not even get the nickname of a Division 1 program right. No seriously, I don't pay $40.00 to be an ESPN insider...if you do please send me your user name and password so that I can read more than a paragraph of any f-ing story on there website. Cheap ass ESPN.

As soon as I read back through I realized I wrote that...and I think for that So. Miss game he was drinking a Bloody Mary on the sideline.

I agree entirly...I'm very keen on adding D-1 transfers...it has been a successful philosophy for UNT and many other SBC schools, especially South Alabama. Stanton atleast on the surface appears to be a talented player...however lets take a bit deeper look at his statistics: 38% FG percentage his awful for a post. 8.0 ppg was good for third on a Navy team that went 4-10 in the Patriot League, 14-16 overall. Holy Cross and Bucknell are the class of the Patriot; in two games against HC, Stanton went a combined 2-14 from the field scoring a total of 4 points; against Bucknell he was 6-18 for a combined 14. He finished with 8 games in double figures, season high in his first game with 17 against Loyola-Maryland. His highest rebounding output was 8 (twice). He took 106 3pt shot attempts (3rd on the team) and hit 37. (35%) (and I'm not sure what kind of system Navy ran but man they jacked up a lot of 3's last year; 260-726 36%) All in all he had a solid season for a freshman, but in a confernece that is no where near as deep top to bottom as the SBC. He disappeared against better opponents...and a 3.9 rebounding average for a 6'10" player is rather paltry. My point is that not every player who leaves a D-1 program needs to automatically be offered...called and brought in for a workout, perhaps. I like the post with an outside game in general...but not if hes going to shoot 35%. We may not have looked at this kid out of H.S. b/c we weren't interested and he didn't fit the system JJ is going with...the closest thing in my UNT fandom to a post with an outside game was Michael DeGrate...or if you want to call Mike Jones a post...and if you want to call his tosses towards the hoop an outside game. Its not a role that seems vital to JJ's system.

There is no such thing as bad publicity...until RV shoots someone...then distance. RV has a bit of a big head...ask any former New Student Orientation Leader (me) who had to sit through 12 or so RV speeches to 500 incoming freshman and their parents: "I want everyone to stand up...kinda shake out your arms and start clapping...lets get warmed up...(so now everyone is standing and clapping)...thank you for that standing ovation!" Its a bit...but Rick does love him some Rick. That having been said...Darrell Dickey wanted to ride 4 straight bowl wins for 10 seasons of 3-9 with complete immunity...and RV has bigger aspirations for our fair school. If thats glory hogging, BRING ON THE GLORY...plenty to share with Rick

6'8" 290 as a freshman probably translates into about 6'9" 320 by the time hes a senior...that is a massive human...a legit D1 sized lineman. It will be interesting to see if hes a bit more nimble than that 40 time would suggest...but if nothing else hes a project, and a project with that kinda size potential is not a bad thing.

If JJ assesses that this kid is better than any of the other high school, JUCO or D-1 players that he and the staff are looking at...then he has already picked up the phone and started communicating. I can't stand the mentality on here that as soon as a player leaves a program or is bigger than 6'7" we need to immediatly sign him. JJ's pulled a very nice class so far...have a little faith he knows what he's doing.

That would be so great....30 years from now Papa Todd tracks down an official after a bad call athe end of the game that gives OU an upset win against the defending national champion Mean Green...or after a disciplinary problem, Papa Todd has the entire team clean Greene-Kennedy Stadium. I'm so calling him Papa Todd all year now...thank you lifer.

Florida International coach Sergio Rouco may be the most entertaining figure in the Sun Belt. Standing about 5'7", he is not what you think of when you hear the word basketball. His demeanor changes from game to game...ranging from jacket removing, neck-tie loosening, floor stomping rage to talking to the crowd about what to do after the game complete apathy. His relationship with his players is just as unstable...last year losing two starting guards around Christmas. Projected Starters: PG. Michael James 5'9" 160 Sr.SG. Kenneth White 6'2" 200 Jr. SF. Chris Fuller 6'5" 191 Sr.PF. Alex Galindo 6'7" 220 Jr.C. Russell Hicks 7'0" 235 Jr.Frontcourt: Alex Galindo (6'7" 220 Jr.) was a top 50 national recruit out of high school, origanally committing to UTEP, but signing with Kansas in 2004, playing 23 games as a freshman and averaging 4.3 points per contest. In his first season with the Panthers, Galindo lead the team in scoring and rebounding (13.9ppg, 5.9rpg) despite being forced to play frequently out of position at the 4. Galindo also led the team in personal fouls (3.2/game) and fouled out 6 times trying to guard larger and stronger opponents. Galindo was touted as a terrific 3-pt shooter, however he struggled in his first year in Miami, shooting just 35% from the 19'9". FIU's success may hinge on the contribution of some young PFs and Cs, which could free Galindo to play the wing. Russell Hicks (7'0" 235 Jr.) is the only seven footer in the Sun Belt and should slide right into the Panther starting line-up. The Pepperdine transfer made the West Coast Conference all freshman team in 2004-05, and averaged 5.0 points and 1.0 blocks as a sophomore for the Waves. FIU has sorely lacked a post presence during Rouco's tenure, last year starting the departed, perimeter oriented Facundo Georgi (6'8" 230) at the start of last season, before Georgi was knocked out for the season due to injury. Georgi's role fell to two true freshmen, who hope to make larger contributions in the 07-08 campaign. Cedric Essola (6'8" 220), a member of the Cameroon Under-20 team, made nine starts last season, averaging 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. Nikola Gacesa (6'9" 230) helps make sure International remain a part of FIU. The Serbian is similar to Georgi in that he prefers to play on the perimeter, but was pressed into a more physical role last season. Gacesa did shoot 45% from 3 last season and will be looking to add to his 4.0 / game scoring average. JUCO transfer Badara N'Diaye (6'11" 230 Jr.) will eat space and minutes at post, and former (current?) walk-ons Marlon Bright (6'5" 225 Jr.) and Brad Larson (6'5" 210 Jr.) provided solid minutes last season in reserve. Backcourt: In the guard oriented Sun Belt, FIU will be counting on mostly unproven commodities to man their backcourt. 3 of their top for scoring guards are gone. Graduated is Johwen Vilegas (12.9ppg) and Elvis Lora (8.4ppg, 3.1apg) and DeJon Prejan (10.3ppg) left the team around Christmas. Chris Fuller (6'5" 191 Sr.) returns. Fuller led FIU in steals (38) and will be the second leading returning scorer (10.7ppg). Texas A&M transfer Kenneth White (6'2" 200 Jr.), a highly-touted product of Dallas Molina, saw little action in a crowded Aggie backcourt. White is a combo guard who scored in bunches in high school and will be counted on to be a major offensive contributor. Michael James (5'9" 160 Sr.) and Erick Nsangou (5'11" 195 Soph.) shared time at the point last season. James, a product of the storied Oak Hill academy, is a pure point guard who had averaged a solid 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. Nsangou is more of a scorer (5.3ppg, 42% fg) and performed well after being pressed into service following Elvis Lora's departure. The future of the FIU backcourt looks bright with the signings of Tremayne Russell (6'2" 175) and Josou Soto (6'1"165 Soph.). Russell was an all state performer as a senior in Florida in 2005-2006 and prepped last season at the renowned Maine Central Institute. Soto was the 2006 Gatorade Florida player of the year and signed and played with Florida State last season before transferring to FIU in March 2007. Soto saw action in just 13 of the Noles games last season and left the program wanting to find a place he could make a larger contribution. He's being favorably compared to former FIU standout Carlos Arroyo. Summary: The talent level in Miami is increasing...and the 2008-2009 potential nucleus of Galindo, Hicks, White, Russell and Soto has to have Panther fans excited. If Rouco can find a way to play Galindo on the wing, he should average 20. If Kenneth White reverts to his Dallas Molina form that made him one of the best guard prospects in Texas, he has the chance to be SBC newcomer of the year. FIU is a team full of if's, more than most, and its questionable if Rouco can convert those ifs into wins. FIU will once again be near the basement of a deep SBC East, but if Rouco can maintain his underclassmen, the Panthers have more competitive days ahead of them.

Anybody who is seeing this signing as a problem is out of their heads. This is such a luxury to have two high prospects at the most important position on the field. If Vizza proves to be the better QB Todd Dodge doesn't strike me as the type of coach to play his son over the better player...and if that means Riley eventually transfers to find more playing time elsewhere then so be it...works the other way around as well. When Vince Young left UT the Horns had two options at QB...redshirt freshman Colt McCoy and the number 1 incoming freshman QB in the state Jevon Sneed. McCoy beat out Sneed and Sneed left to get PT elsewhere. Trying to find a negative in this situation is insane. Everybody just needs to enjoy whats happening this summer...it actually feels as though we're a legit football program that kids want to play for...and these next couple of years should be great. Players leave programs...Dodge will anticipate this and know where to reload.

2 five star linebackers make your DL better in run support and you secondary better in botht their ability to blitz and cover. I'll take a defense anchored by Ray Lewis (pre-murder charge) and Lofa Tutupo any day...especially for the Samoan factor...theres a pipeline I would love to see Dodge open up...Samoans.

Im 3 months in Connecticut and something about the pale, pear-shaped woman does little for me...I miss Texas women...especially those who wear green...its such a sexy color. I grew up in Ft. Worth and went to games at Amon Carter every weekend...my very first game at Fouts was 2001...the home opener against TCU and I was torn, but alma mater loyalty has a way to work its way into your psychy...Rodge will come around the first time he puts on a Mean Green Uni...maybe even when he dons a UNT hat for his signing.

NO, NO, NO,NO,NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NO, NO, NO. (A lil Norm for this Sunday morning) No 3 QB rotation!!! Name a starter and let him go...if he's absolutly terrible after a few games, make a change. Whoever it is give him the confidence to make a mistake and not see the next guy throwing on the sideline immediatly.

Well put. I stop short of calling last years game a fluke...but SMU was a better team than what showed up at Fouts last season...perhaps that loss woke them up...but this years game at Ford won't be a cake walk. Add to the fact that Phil Bennett will essentially coaching for his job this season and SMU will be up for this game. UNT will be vastly improved this season, but these are still mostly DD's players...and while I love B-Jax, J-Mo, Mo-Ho and J-Chapo (maybe those nicknames don't work for Jeremiah) and respect what they have done here...I think in 5 years we'll be very disappointed if that is still the level of talent we're recruiting. The SMU - UNT game should be one of the more entertaining and exciting games in recent memory...and while a win against Navy will garner more national attention, beating SMU will have much larger local implications, especially in terms of recruiting...because if we win this year, SMU will have the same buzz all summer that we've enjoyed this year surrounding their new coach.

UMMMMMMMM...wow...no. Tre Newton signing here wouldn't just be Tre Newton signing...it would be a clear indication that we have established a pipeline with the most successful Texas High School Football program of the last 5 years. Forget that Newton would be the best recruit we ever landed, forget that he would push C'Mo for time in 2008, and forget that he would be a 3 year starter begining in 09...with a nice complimentary back in Micah Mosely (who I'm very high on) for 2 of those years...forget all of that. If Tre signs it is an indication that we are legitimatly competing with the big boys in Texas for recruits now...even if it starts with our coaches former high school. Schools always need OL and talented defensive players...you need to be reloading there every recruiting class...but to say we don't need Tre Newton is very short sighted, and ignores all the incredible benefits it affords our program before he even takes a snap at the first practice.