Unt Aims To Focus On Game

MeanGreen61 · March 15, 2007

UNT aims to focus on game

08:51 AM CDT on Thursday, March 15, 2007

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Ever since it knocked off Arkansas State in the finals of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, life has been dramatically different for North Texas.

Senior guard Rich Young has been featured on national television because of his background in the marines. Head coach Johnny Jones has fielded interview request after interview request, and star guard Calvin Watson has become a local celebrity.

UNT has not received this much attention for its men’s basketball program in years.

So far, UNT is handling the situation well, Jones said Wednesday.

“The guys have remained focused and practices have been good,” Jones said. “Our guys are still hungry.”

UNT will play its first game in the NCAA Tournament since 1988 on Friday when it takes on Memphis in New Orleans.

UNT left for the game to the cheers of a few dozen fans who attended a sendoff party at the Super Pit on Wednesday.

The Mean Green arrived in New Orleans late Wednesday night and will attend a media session today.

“We have embraced all the attention we have received, but coach has done a good job of keeping us focused on the game,” Watson said. “We are not going to get sucked in by the attention.”

UNT’s players know they have an opportunity to promote the Mean Green’s basketball program, the athletic department and the university during the NCAA Tournament. An upset win over Memphis, or even just a good showing would land the Mean Green more attention.

“The attention we have gotten is nice, but we know we still have a job to do,” junior guard Michael Sturns said.

Jones has kept UNT on the same schedule as much as possible since it won the Sun Belt tournament, and has remained focused on what will be a big challenge. Memphis is ranked fifth nationally and has the nation’s longest winning streak at 22 games.

“Our preparation for the game has been the same,” Jones said. “We know how we need to prepare. Now we just have to go down there and compete.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .