Buford_Julep

Interesting question. At least it was interesting enough to me that I checked. Sun Belt vs Southland is now tied at five wins each. I noticed that Western Kentucky, Middle Tennesse, South Alabama, and the two Arkansas schools have not yet played any Southland opponents. Conversely, Denver, Troy, FAU, La-Monroe, New Orleans and Louisiana have played eight of the ten games vs the Southland. Remaining games: Southeast La @ FAU UTA @ UNT UTA vs Denver @ Missoula Mt Sam Houston @ Louisiana La Monroe @ McNeese

The TV color man mentioned WKU has three straight impressive wins after the Murray State debacle. He said sometimes a loss like like that can wake up a team, and that sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you can improve.

RPI Ratings: Houston 19 North Texas 238

JJ gave credit to Houston for playing a very good game and for having a good game plan. He said we played poorly in all areas of the game. He saved the heaviest criticism for the guards in the half-court offense. Repeating what he has said in past seasons, JJ complained about players putting up a poor percentage shot after just one or two passes. He said you can almost always get a higher percentage shot after four or five passes. JJ did have some praise for the way George played. George was good on the boards, and he wished we could have got him the ball more often.

Great catch CBL. From Jags Jungle, 11/15: “Damarius has personal problems, he feels that it is best for him to handle those on his own. We wish him the best in whatever path he chooses to follow.” (Ronnie Arrow) From Jags Jungle, 11/22: Are we absolutely sure that Shug Jones is no longer on the team? I ask bc the game note found (http://www.usajaguars.com/View...;ATCLID=1623500) here say that he "Did not dress for the exhibition contest against West Florida due to personal reasons." That doesn't sound like he quit. From Jags Jungle, 11/12: Can anybody give us the scoop on what happened? I know the kid from San Antonio left this summer for playing time, though he is a walk on at uab, but in total that is three Texas high schoolers that we signed in two years and basically never saw the court. This from the state RA is most familiar with.

Almost all mid to low majors schedule several D-2, D-3 or NAIA. I researched Sam Houston State's 45 game out-of-conference winning streak and found 24 games vs non-D-1 competition. Some of these teams, such as Schreiner, Texas Lutheran, Austin College and LeTourneau were non-scholarship schools.

IMO the reason NT shoots so many foul shots is not due to quick whistle refs or home town calls. It is because NT has five ultra-quick, ultra-athletic guards that are playing in an offense that encourages them take it to the hoop. The opponents can't handle the quickness and athleticism and are forced to hack or hold.

Will play Illinois at 3pm Sunday afternoon. It will be televised on the B10 Network. Denton Verizon carries the game on channel 85.

It sounded like Stewart had some key rebounds, a block and hit four of four free throws that helped put North Texas into the lead.

For new BB fans: Indiana State is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The MVC is arguably the strongest basketball conference behind the six BCS conferences. The Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West would probably disagree. Larry Byrd's alma mater, Indiana State, finished 8-10 in the MVC last season, 15-16 overall and 12-2 at home. North Texas defeated Indiana State last season by 78-69 in Denton. The MVC Coaches' Poll picked Indiana State to finish 7th out of ten teams in the MVC. Lindy's magazine picks ISU to finish 6th.

Tristan Thompson was ranked #18 by Texas Hoops when he graduated from Angleton, Texas in 2006. He spent one more year at a prep school and then signed straight out of high school with North Texas in 2007. Jacob Holmen is ranked # 48 by Texas Hoops. Texas Preps, the official magazine of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, says Holmen "... is one of the best kept secrets in the state." Texas Preps does not give numerical rankings but lists ten all-state teams of five players each. Holmen is on the second team with G.J. Vilarino (Kentucky), Cory Jefferson (Baylor), Dre Harrison (Unsigned) and high school Junior T.J. Taylor of Denison who already has offers on the table from Oklahoma, Iowa State, Marquette, and others. Texas Preps named Holmen as one of the Magnificent Seven. Apparently they think he is one of the top seven players in the state.

Every time NT missed a free throw last night...part of me died. I expect them to make every shot. It seemed to me we hit about 50%. But when I looked at the stats this morning, it was revealed the Mean Green made 35 out of 70. That is 70% and that is well above average for NCAA. Since WWII North Texas has shot 70% or better for the season just 12 times. Coach Jones was in charge for four of those seasons.

Since we are playing Oklahoma State, a Big XII team, I wondered how well they are supposed to do this season.

Link

I think you were looking at the rebound column. Howerton has 11 rebounds in 31 minutes.

The UT-San Antonio- Oklahoma State game is available on demand at ESPN 360. Except for Marcos Dove and sub Mortavious Adams, OSU will have the same team as last year. Byron Eaton has lost weight and is playing much better according to the OSU announcers. The eyeball test confirmed that statement. OSU now plays an up tempo game under the new coach. On offense, they play with four out with just one 6-11 post man. At one point they had no one over 6-6 on the court. On the other hand, they have several 6-5 and 6-6 wings. At times OSU had Eaton post up against a shorter and lighter UTSA point guard. They might very well try that against us. Often Josh or Domo will probably be matched with 6-5 Terrel Harris. On defense, OSU played mostly man, but also some 2-3 zone. They did not press against UTSA, but did press in their two exhibition games according to one of the OSU message boards.

According to the Verizon Guide it will be shown in Denton.

Arkansas-Little Rock 74, Harding 62 Arkansas State 59, Southern Arkansas 58 Florida Atlantic 61, Rollins College 56 Louisiana U 84, Texas-Tyler 55 South Alabama 67, West Florida 58 North Texas 89, Texas A&M International 58 Troy 118, West Alabama 76 One other exhibition score of interest: Nuevo Laredo Venados 76, Texas A&M International 73 Nuevo Laredo Venados is a pro team from Mexico. They play in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP).

The vision is winning by pushing the ball up court on offense and defending with a trapping full court press the entire game.

UNT Notebook Scroll down to November, 11 for Mean Green Blog

Mansa El has the explosiveness, speed and all-out hustle that will be needed to make coach Stephens' vision a reality.

My guess is: 1. White 2. Johnson 3. Thompson 4. Odufua 5. Howerton

That may have had something to do with it. It also helps that he is able to guard Josh White and Dominique Johnson.

Jr Antwone Matlock and So Nathaniel Wade. link

The pit is air-conditioned now. Remember to stay to the very end to “add delirium to defeat” with "Welcome to the pit."