outoftown

Very encouraging to see Sissoko get some points early

After their wins this week UNT jumped in NET from 90th to 74th, while Tulane jumped from 124th to 102nd., 4th and 5th in the AAC. I.e. this is a matchup of two teams likely to be upper middle class in the American. Wichitia is 7th. So If UNT can win this one it might be big for tie breakers later in the season to stay top 4 in conference. The top 4 get an extra bye in the tournament.

That is all true. But the fact that the NCAA, while not enforcing anything, still does not want to admit that pay for play is allowed will still change the way contracts are structured, and this part is one where people will only do it once that rule is officially of the books. Because it will also be difficult for the collective to enforce it. People -rightfully -blame the NCAA for not enforcing anything. The NCAA isn't because it likely wouldn't stand up in court if it really did. But notice that collectives aren't really enforcing their contracts either if it gets dicey. Or if they do they sure are trying to keep that hush hush.

That would potentially work... IF the NCAA would first take out the rule where NIL cannot contain pay-for-play. Not sure they are willing to do that officially, even if they might not really have the appetite to enforce it

I would say that both of these things had some truth to it. Yes the players brought in this year are actually not much better on average. In that regard it truely is just treading water and actually adding turnover. There is no ranking for the transfer-out classes, but if there was i fear UNT would also be ranked high because of both volume and quality. On the other hand its much harder to bring in 40 guys of a certain caliber than only 14. The staff sure did its work in that regard. And I tend to ignore if the bottom 3 recruits had little to no offers, because I am ok if the coaching staff has the believ in themselves they can find a a small hand full of diamonds in the rough that they think other staffs didn't assess properly. I would be concerned if they thought they could pull of a good roster if 30% their class fit that description.

This was a great result. And i would like to think everything is better now. But looking at the stat sheet I can't help but notice that the SIssoko of last season is still nowhere to be found on offense. In 19 minutes he was 0/0 from the field, and 0/0 from the stripe, with 1 assist. Was not a problem today. But it needs to be addressed because it will be a problem again, and was a problem multiple times this season, where 1-2 baskets more from him would have changed the outcome.

Yes, but it had started even before Fordham, also with some away games.

The BBall threads during games have been dead for a while (like about the last 4 games). I don't know where everyone goes during games. This one was at least a home game.

I take it noone will object if i call the first half a beat down

If you look on 247 sports and the combined rankings UNT is currently 77th, before most transfers and some HS are rated. What is more eyepopping though is that UNT has 41 commits. That is more than any other program. By some margin. Next is TCU with 35. I don't think that is either a good or a bad thing, but its noteable. If they had a ranking of transfering out classes, then I think UNTs transfer out class would also rankg pretty highly among G5, because of both the size but also the quality of the top part of that class. If you lose talent you need to bring in new players with talent, or otherwise you are really cooked. So this is necessary. But it is a looot of turnover. We can probably agree that ought not to make UNT fans worry about the defense as it can really almost only improve. Still, usually time spent together in the same system is usually important on defense. And they sure have the pieces to keep humming on offense. But last season it took 3 games to iron out the kinks there too. That much turnover makes it feel like it might again.

If you ask me the team will not be good as long as it has several players who do not at all contribute offensiveily. I thought Sissoko drawing some very tough assginments, played great defense today at times, Stone was also ok there. However when you have two guys who combine for 39 minutes also combine for 2 points, and zero field goals that is a problem if it repeats. And this sure doesn't feel like a first. If Sissoko gets some offensive mojo back and learns how to handle pressure from good centers when he is on offense, then i think this team contend in the AAC. Without that, I don't see enough folks capable of creating their own space for that to end well without someone up the middle scoring a bit.

UNT was once up 25-14. Since then the score is 15-40 for MSU

40-32, with UNT heading to the line. offensive drought has continued into the second half. So far no points from the field yet. 16:42 to go.

I mean i get why the guys on TV think MSU is deeper than UNT and its not completely moronic. But it does feel a bit off, when MSU has only 7 guys with more than 3 minutes so far.

UNT is shooting 54%, MSU 41%, and UNT also has a better 3 pct. And yet UNT is down, and it speaks to who is the more physical team and who was better at hounding the other team. MSU has a 13-0 lead on points of turnovers. And MSU has given up only 1 turnover. UNT has to force them to make some mistakes if they want a shot at winning this.

36-32 at the half. The last 4 minutes were really bad offensively. Its a big time missed opportunity, as the start was so great, but on the offense just couldn't hold up to MSUs defensive pressure and started consistently making mistakes. On the other end MSU has been heavy going inside, and NT has big trouble stopping that. Also giving up balls on offense of course opened up things for MSU. They aren't actually that great at pushing the pace, but it still helps them a good deal.

There is a little home cooking yes, but mostly it is a consequence of MSU guys consequently trying to impose themselves going inside and UNT having trouble matching the size and power there.

Lead down to 5. Problems primarily on the offensive side, as MSU has managed to really hound UNT and create lots of ball handling errors.

Really bad posession there, where UNT semi lost the ball 3 times and had trouble throwing it into the game each time.

7:29 left in half 1. UNT 25, MSU 14. Shooting fairly unconscious which is awesome. Also aided by actually creating decent looks. Defensively relying quite a bit on fouls once the ball goes inside. That will eventually become a problem

Am a bit worried about the fouls though.

a bit dry there for a moment, but now coming back into it. 22-12 after scotts +1

Can't complain about the start

Honestly, I see only one difference to a typical grant maacCasland at UNT season so far: With Grant teams usually started the season slow but we KNEW they would gel later, with Hodge we have yet to be certain that he can do that. At least i feel like the team is having the heart and work ethic. If it develops the clutch remains to be seen.

Depends extremely. Was it their own idea to jump in the portal or were they "encouraged" to do so and tried to find a spot but could not?