0There were a couple of questions posted on the blog last night that I thought I would get to today, most of them basketball related.
Zach asked about whether the NBA scouts who are at UNT's games are looking at just Tony Mitchell or other players as well.
There were a ton at last night's game because they were in Dallas the night before for a series of games in a holiday event.
They are there to see Mitchell and that's it. I was talking to one off the record about Mitchell and happened to mention that UNT was pretty young and had some other good college players. The guy thought I was talking about the other guys' NBA prospects and stuck his finger on UNT's stat sheet that said Chris Jones has more turnovers than assists and said that was all he needed to know.
Look, I like UNT's other guys as much as the next observer, but the NBA is a totally different animal.
I wasn't around to see Chris Davis, but he was the best player in the Sun Belt for a long time and never made it to the NBA.
Tristan Thompson wasn't a good defender, but he was a 6-5 guard (listed anyway) who could shoot. He is starting in the NBDL and averaging double figures in scoring. I never saw a scout at the Super Pit to see him. This is a Tony Mitchell deal with the NBA scouts.
John also came by to take me to task for standing up for Johnny Jones and what he has done at UNT. John also likes Jones, but said it's hard to argue that he isn't out-coached at times. I guess you could say that. I have questioned some decisions from time to time like I do most coaches, but the bottom line is that he wins -- a lot -- at North Texas.
I repeat -- at North Texas.
Name someone else that has done that recently on a consistent basis in a team sport. John Hedlund and ... ? ... okay, I'm still waiting ... ?
I have a feeling that UNT fans would appreciate him a whole lot if he ever left.
This is an apples-to-oranges comparison here, but UNT had a guy who won pretty consistently in football for four years. He had a down year and a half. UNT brought in someone new and said he was going to take the program to new heights.
Yep, Todd Dodge. How'd that one work out?
Same deal with Shanice Stephens. At least Tina Slinker was around .500 most years and jumped up and had a good team every few seasons.
Stephens won five games her last season at UNT.
The school appears to be on the right track with Dan McCarney and Karen Aston, but be careful what you wish for.
There are a lot of Sun Belt teams that wouldn't mind having a coach with five straight 20-win seasons, two NCAA bids, three Sun Belt tourney finals appearances in the last five years who brought in a top NBA prospect, also graduates his players and might be the unofficial city mayor.
JD also stopped by to ask what I think UNT will do with its last four of so scholarships in football recruiting. I answered that the other day and made the mistake of looking at a partial list of recruits online instead of my notes when I made it into the office.
I'll be safe this time. I am sure UNT is holding a scholarship for safety Leo Thomas and a couple of other defensive backs. That's what we know for sure. Beyond that, it's all guess work. A lot also depends on what Chase Walling decides to do. Does he stuck with UNT or Pony Up with SMU. My guess is the rest after UNT adds a couple of defensive backs will be the best players still on the board. I still think UNT could use an experienced (JC) wide receiver and maybe a high school quarterback to redshirt.
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What about Dickeys first couple of years and his last two. What was our record his first couple of years and the last two? I think in one of his years that you brag about so much we went 5-7 in the upstart Sun Belt which is the same level of play as Texas 5A. The belt is much better now and I would love to get out, but at least it is competitive now. Brett I know deep down you don't like UNT a whole lot, and I will say it again. I have much much more invested in this deal than most, but if you keep bragging about Dickey, I will keep commenting on him back at ya. The past is the past, lets just move forward and whether you want UNT to do good or not at least you cover it for us. Its just your whole line on yeah he wins at North Texas yes I said North Texas bit. Maybe you are just holding down the fort at DentonRC until your college comes open, I am not sure. But it is free country and you ought to cover a school that you are rooting for and don't have so much hate for. Good morning to ya!
"I repeat -- at North Texas."
You are making it sound like most coaches can't win at UNT because it is UNT. Outside of men's basketball most coaches don't win at Kansas either. That's like saying you're a lousy writer because you only cover UNT.
@ John ... I personally don't care if Brett is rooting for UNT or not, though I get the distinct impression he is. But I'm not seeking or interested in reading columns written from a homer's perspective.
Brett provides his views and opinions from an unbiased, objective vantage point. I may not always agree with him 100%, but then again that would be a mind-numbingly boring and totally unrealistic expection.
The bottom line is Brett provides the style of writing and reporting I personally enjoy and find worth reading. If you don't, I'd respectfully recommend you move along and track down a more biased, subjective Mean Green blogger who writes strictly from a fan's point of view. As you mentioned, it is a free country!
Brett has his favorites, which is fine but he is merciless when it comes to coaches he doesn't like. He is too fair to Shanice and too hard on Dodge. That the way the Brett go, but I still love to give him hell about it and I am clearly not the only one!
Mott, if by unbiased, you mean the exact view of the current head football coach, then you have your man.
JJ is a great recruitee. That is his strength. He has recruited some horses. Now let's see if he can develop them and make them a fit for this team. Time will tell. If he does develop them, we will all be happy and sing his praises. If not...
I agree with Army. Mr. Vito definitely has his favorites, and it certainly comes through in his blog. If you don't like it, don't read it. And yes, this is the first time I have stopped by in quite some time, only to see the same pattern. Adios for a while again.
@ Mott ... it is a free country... Brett has his opinions about different coaches and what they are doing or did; I have mine, and can disagree with him and he knows it's ok. ...and I personally don't care what you care about or your opinions either!!
I agree with John. And personally I'm tired of Vito's degrading comments towards North Texas athletics. "I repeat--at North Texas". Vito, write something positive about UNT for a change. Surely you can find something good to comment on? Besides the two Johns.
@ Brett ... I urge you to keep doing what you're doing and disregard the usual ne'er-do-wells who most of us have learned to do our best to ignore.
Mikeyy, I do care about Brett's opinions primarily because, unlike several of those who left comments above, he's uniquely close to the situation and actually knows what he's talking about. Being knowledgeable instead of just "blowing hot air" is a crucial component for me. And, as a point of clarification, you'll note I did *not* offer a single opinion regarding UNT athletics in my earlier post, so I'm not sure which of my phantom opinions you "personally don't care" about! [LOL]
By the way, Brett, I only wish the DRC would add an option that would enable your readers to simply block the posters they consider to be the most egregiously ill-informed and/or emotionally disturbed.
Wow Vito uses an entry about NBA prospects to take another jab at Dodge. Stay classy, Brett.
Mott, Looks like I hit a sensitive spot with ya..I am sorry if I hurt your feelings for giving Vito hell. So I guess this blog is made for people that only agree with Vito. Vito loves having us follow him. He is all we have and you need to quit getting your panties in a wad. I could care less what anybody else comments on here, so quit worrying about me.
This is NORTH TEXAS, please do not use UNT anymore when writing.