DRC's UNT Update

UNTLifer · February 5, 2003

UNT notebook

UNT center Barnett to get starting nod

02/05/2003

By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer

Redshirt freshman center Justin Barnett, who has been limited by a sore back this season, has moved into the starting center spot for the Mean Green.

The 6-10, 255-pound Barnett was one of the only bright spots in the Mean Green’s lopsided loss Thursday to Louisiana-Lafayette. He played a career-high 28 minutes and set personal bests with 12 rebounds and two blocks.

Jones opted to give Barnett the first start of his career Saturday against New Mexico State. He had four points and five rebounds in 20 minutes, impressing Jones with his physical play.

"If he continues to progress the way he has, he’ll definitely play a lot for us at the center spot," Jones said. "We reward guys for what they do at practice and in games. He’s earned that spot."

Barnett said he still experiences soreness on a daily basis, but that won’t prevent him from sacrificing his body during the battles in the paint.

"I’ve got to do what this team needs," Barnett said. "That’s to go in there and bang. I’m not worried about getting hurt."

Roniger likely out for season

Coach Johnny Jones said point guard Scott Roniger, who injured his knee Dec. 21 against Tennessee Tech, will probably miss the rest of the season.

The 6-2 freshman, whose 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio is easily the best on the team, was originally expected to return 10 days to two weeks after undergoing surgery on the knee. He has only recently begun light jogging. Jones said Roniger could probably play the final three or four games of the season, but it was not worth the risk of re-injury.

"It’s disappointing for Scott as well as us, because he really wants to be on the floor," Jones said. "As important as he is to us, his health is more important. We don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that."

Ch. 52 to carry Saturday’s game

KWFD-TV Ch. 52 will broadcast the Mean Green’s game Saturday against defending Sun Belt champion Western Kentucky. It is the first time this season a UNT game will be televised in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at the Super Pit.

Smith probable for Thursday

Forward/center Will Smith was expected to see his first playing time in a month during UNT’s win Saturday over New Mexico State. Smith, however, re-injured his ankle while getting up from the dinner table.

Coach Johnny Jones said he hopes Smith will be able to play Thursday at Middle Tennessee.

"I guess it depends on where we eat," Jones said.

Galbreath has fan at Hula Bowl

Former UNT running back Kevin Galbreath rushed six times for 10 yards during the Hula Bowl, an all-star game for draft-eligible players. While Galbreath didn’t rush for as many yards as he would have liked, he was showered with compliments by ESPN play-by-play man Dave Barnett.

Barnett, a UNT alum, went out of his way to mention Galbreath’s consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and the Mean Green’s New Orleans Bowl victory. His admittedly biased take on Galbreath: "I don’t see how he can’t be a first-round pick."

GDSC to honor area football teams

The Greater Denton Sports Commission will host a reception to honor the UNT, Ryan, Denton and Liberty football teams at 5 p.m. Saturday in the gymnastics room of the Super Pit. The event is free to the public.

The teams will also be honored at halftime of the UNT men’s basketball game against Western Kentucky that night.

Athlete of the week

Sophomore Ryan Lancon set a new school indoor record in the pole vault at the season-opening J.D. Martin Invitational in Norman, Okla. Lancon vaulted 16-?, bettering the previous record by three-fourths of an inch.

For his efforts, Lancon is the Denton Record-Chronicle’s UNT Athlete of the Week.

CMJ · February 5, 2003

I'm liking Barnett...we need a solid post player. We haven't had one in years.

Zeke · February 5, 2003

He as the size no doubt. But I really would like to see him become more of a scoring threat in the paint. Hopefully that will come though.

CMJ · February 6, 2003

As long as he anchors our 'D' and rebounds, that's good enough for me. Scoring would be gravy.

NT80 · February 6, 2003

I like Justin's potential, he just needs more college game experience. I'd also like him to be more forceful with shots close to the basket, not lay it softly off the glass but slam it in! Those really get the crowd into the game.