NT80

Courtesy of DeepGreen on the M&G board and the CUSA board: http://www.drivl.com/posts/view/738

UNT's loss saddens fans 03:50 PM CDT on Friday, March 16, 2007 By Monty Miller Jr. / Staff Writer Mean Green fans were left feeling a little saddened after the men’s basketball team loss to the University of Memphis in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament Friday, but they didn’t let it get them down. In fact, they seemed even more excited about the future. “Any showing like this is good,” said University of North Texas alumni Fred Kemp, who watched the game with a small but rowdy crowd at Lucky Lou’s on West Hickory Street in Denton. “This establishes us on the national stage. And, next year—who knows?” The Mean Green lost the hard-fought battle 73-58, in an up-and-down game that saw UNT lead through much of the first quarter, but fall behind in the second. As the game kicked off, a raucous group of green-clad fans at Riprock’s on West Hickory Street circled around four televisions, jumping up and down, pumping their fists and yelling for the home team, and the cheers didn’t stop until the game was over. “They are doing better than I thought they would,” said UNT senior Kingsley Estrada. “I actually picked them to win this game [in his bracket], so we’ll see.” Early on, it was looking pretty good for the Mean Green and the crowd was getting excited. The room quickly filled up to where it was standing room only, but nobody seemed to mind. And the crowd just kept growing. “I’m very excited,” said UNT graduate student Holleh Neyestank, who was watching the game with her friends on their lunch break. “I’m so impressed by our team, and I’m proud that they finally got into the tournament.” Back at Lucky Lou’s, the crowd was intently watching the game as the second half began with UNT down 37-28, but none of the fans were giving up. “They’ll have a chance as long as they can make their free throws at the end of the game,” said UNT alumni John Williams. As the second half wore on, UNT tried to keep up with Memphis, coming within 5 points at one time, spurring the Lucky Lou’s crowd to chant, “Let’s go, Mean Green, Let’s go.” But, in the end, UNT couldn’t keep up, and with a little more than five minutes left in the game, CBS switched to another tournament game. UNT fans were not happy. “Can you imagine if there was five minutes left in the Texas game and they did this?” one irate fan asked his buddy at the bar. Even though the score of the UNT game was only being shown on a small box at the top of the television screen, the crowd didn’t lose interest. They still reacted to every scoring change in the game. Then, when CBS switched back to the UNT game, the place erupted in applause. By then, though, the announcers were already pronouncing Memphis the winner. The fans began to accept their team’s fate, but they didn’t let the loss get to them. “It’s still huge,” said UNT senior Jacob Jones. “Any time you play on national TV, it’s big for the whole university.” Over at Vitty’s on Teasley Lane, UNT junior Eric Miller was sitting on a long leather couch in front of a big-screen television, as those around him began to take down all the Mean Green paraphernalia toward the end of the game. “I need to drink more,” he said.

Thanks for the great report. Were the players in full pads today? I'm anxious to see the first live scrimmage on the 30th.

Some very nice items up for bid (many football related)....... https://www.nmnathletics.com/sellnew/SellHo...CRIBER_CONTENT=

I was going by the TV graphic at the start of the game which showed no senior starters for Memphis. I think they have one on the team, not a starter.

There was one shot of some students on the first row (pit crew?) early in the game, then a couple shots of the NT crowd from behind and up high, going into a timeout.

Thanks Memphis fans for some classy posts. I think we ran out of gas at the end, but it was good experience for our guys and good media. Memphis will be scary next season since they started no seniors.

My vote goes to Wooden as the most improved player during the course of the season.

The media we've received is really the best perk of being in the Tourney. Without TCU or SMUt in the Tourney we had 10 days of great local coverage and some national press too. The next step is to repeat but win a game!

A slam would have been a huge emotional lift for the team and fans and maybe sink Memphis a little. I don't blame him for trying it.

Overall I was pleased with the effort. It was good experience for the team and good media for the school. We knew knocking off a 2 seed would be tough, but we hung with them until the end.

I saw them at the ULL game, they were a very spirited group.

It sounds like he is trying to teach them to multi-task with their eyes and bodies, as if a defender is rushing at them but to still maintain their focus on the receiver and be in correct posture to complete a pass. Very interesting, thanks for the observations.

Rick, prayers for your Father. You or Brad Olson might contact the team Hotel in New Orleans and speak with someone with the NT Athletic Department; let them know you have extra tickets. There may be fans down there looking for some in the NT section. Wish I could go, thanks for the offer to NT fans.

Yes, pre-game begins at 10:30 am. Someone else also posted it's available free on your computer: "You can watch it for free on CBS Sportline: http://www.ncaasports.com/mmod Enjoy."

Mad Hatter had some good notes on QBs from Tuesday's first practice on the "Fouts Field" thread below. No practice today, 4:30 yesterday and 3:30 tomorrow then a week off for UNT's spring break. First scrimmage is Friday March 30.

Very interesting about Memphis. I didn't realize basketball was top dog there, I thought football was your main $$ generator. I've been to the Pyramid a few years ago, but it was for a Titanic exhibit, not a basketball game.

What is the feeling/scoop in Memphis about CUSA or the Big East. Is Memphis bored in CUSA? Will it stay together? Would Memphis fans prefer to be with Louisville in the Big East and is there a serious effort to pursue that? Thanks. NT and Memphis should do a home and home in football and basketball.

79-73

Mad Hatter: Were all four current QBs being used in the passing? Any look better than the others or get more reps? Thanks.

The NT Daily raked her over the coals for this tour and it's expense. However I saw a rebutal by her that much of the trip expense was funded by donors. It re-connected "lost" alums that have started giving again to UNT. Well done Dr. B!

Thanks for the report. When was the last time NT had a satellite truck at a spring practice?

Looks like a good crowd in Dayton for this. Still glad we didn't have to play in it.

I love any team that steamrolls SMUt!

Not cool.