University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Men's Hoops Tuesday Practice Blog
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Wrapping Up
5:48 p.m.
It looks like that’s it from the Blog today. The Mean Green is wrapping up practice with free throws, which means it’s time for us close down as well. Head back to meangreensports.com tomorrow for the men’s and women’s practices beginning at 1:30 p.m.
As always, if you have any questions for the Blog or any of the coaches, let us know!
Thompson Coming Along Nicely
5:40 p.m.
The Blog has noticed that Tristan Thompson has turned himself into one heck of a defender. Not that he lacked last year, but Thompson has volunteered for the toughest defensive assignment in practice on more than one occasion, and has passed the test each time.
With his team needing a stop in today’s scrimmage action, Thompson handcuffed Adam McCoy at the top of the 3-point arc and forced an awkward jumper from the left of the lane. It seems like he is in the middle of just about every scrum, and has generally been a pleasant surprise so far camp.
Dunk Of The Day Is Back
5:31 p.m.
Finally, we have a jam worthy of crowning the Dunk of the Day! Josh White curled hard left around the free throw line and found a wide open Justin Howerton on an across-the-lane cut. “Dirk”, as his teammates call him, went up strong and threw down a vicious left handed dunk that left the goal rattling in his wake.
The Blog didn’t hand out a Dunk of the Day award yesterday, but that submission from the big guy more than made up for it.
The Law Is In Town
5:24 p.m.
The Blog heard a rumor that referees will be at tomorrow’s practice to give the players a real game atmosphere. Up until now coaches have purposely let practices get physical at times, and the referees will definitely help balance the action a little.
If officials were here today, they would have definitely just rung Justin Howerton up for a charge. He barreled to the basket and George Odufuwa was in position just inside the paint to take the impact.
Where Will You Be On Nov. 17 ...
5:13 p.m.
The Blog will be at every Mean Green game this year, how many will you be at? Three of the team’s first four road trips are easily within driving range and the Blog wants to see you there!
North Texas opens the season with Cameron at home on Nov. 14 before heading out to face
NT will definitely need your help to win each of those games, so your support is definitely appreciated.
A Little Rough In The Lane
4:50 p.m.
The Mean Green big men were working on their toughness under the basket, and I think assistant coach Shawn Forrest might have been enjoying it a little too much. He and Quincy Williams each had a large foam pad and were giving the players all they could handle as they went up to the rim.
Coach Forrest had a big grin on his face on more than one occasion. Hey coach, this isn’t a therapy session!
Time For Tuesday’s Mailbag
4:33 p.m.
The Blog is headed back into the mailbag to answer questions from the Mean Green nation. Don’t worry, the Blog will try to get to every question, so keep an eye out for your submission.
Q: Abigail (
A: Thanks Abby, I think Justin has an opportunity to really step into a larger role this season. He has improved his offensive game, and no one works harder in the weight room to get himself into game shape. Just now, the big man took a pass down low and gave a heck of a ball-fake juke to George Odufuwa. The move was perfectly timed, and gave Justin a wide open look at an up-and-under style layup. That is just one example of his improved offensive game that I think fans will see in 2008-09.
If you have a question for the Blog or coach Jones, feel free to shoot us a line!
“How strong can you be? ... Don’t be afraid of contact!”
4:17 p.m.
That’s what assistant coach Charlie Leonard yelled during the Blog’s favorite drill coach Jones’ patented rebounding game. It’s 4-vs-4 as coach Jones tosses the ball at the bucket. The offense tries to score if it gets the rebound, and the defense looks to clear if they wind up with the ball.
To put it bluntly, the players will literally do anything to get that rebound. Eight bodies fly to the pain from the 3-point arc and mayhem ensues. The drill doesn’t end until the defense gets the ball back to coach Jones, so bodies hitting the hardwood is a usual occurrence.
Kedrick Hogans knows exactly how to dominate this drill. The sophomore lined up on the defensive side of the ball, and pinned a Tristan Thompson shot on the glass to win that battle for his squad.
No Inspiration Needed
3:54 p.m.
Johnny Jones will be the first one to tell you that preseason rankings and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee, and that’s about it. Just a week and a half into this young season, he’s been preaching that message to his
If NT needs any proof of that philosophy it can look to rival Louisiana-Monroe, which won the West in 2006-07 and entered last year as the league favorite. The Warhawks then struggled to a 10-21 record and a first-round exit from the Sun Belt Tournament.
The Mean Green is training like they understand coach Jones’ message, and won’t allow that to happen here in
Movie Time
3:37 p.m.
The Mean Green just wrapped up their Tuesday film session, where coach Jones went over the practice footage from the weekend with the squad. During the season the team will spend a couple of hours per week in film study analyzing each game, and preparing for the next.
Trainer Brad Anderson has the guys now and is leading them through their warm-up routine, which includes stretching, slow jogging and agility drills.
