University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: Is Hawkins The Answer
1/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
Steven Bartolotta, January 9, 2010, 11:48 p.m.
It was Wednesday night at the Earl K. Long Gym in Lafayette. The starting lineups for North Texas were announced and I think even the fans, all 10,000 of them painted on the walls, were shocked when they heard the name Caitlin Hawkins.
Yes the true freshman from suburban Denver was the latest person to get a crack at the point guard position for the Mean Green. Shanice Stephens has been searching for someone, anyone to step up and take control of this team.
I figured Hawkins would just be the latest chum in the water fed to the sharks. She would fail, not a chance this is going to work.
Well show's what I know. Hawkins played with the poise of a veteran against Louisiana-Lafayette and any nerves she might have had were no where to be found. Did I mention she was a freshman?
Hawkins was the last player on the Mean Green's roster yet to score heading into ULL. Normally 15 games into the season the only reason that's the case is injury or you're a walk-on. Hawkins hit two 3-pointers in the 29 minutes of play against the Cajuns.
Three days later Stephens once again handed the reigns of the team to Hawkins and she delivered once again. Two 3-pointers within the first four minutes of the game jump started North Texas to end its losing streak. Hawkins played 21 minutes against UNO, which was limited because of a minor back injury, but when she left, it was like the QB was missing.
With a huge lead, no need to put Hawkins back in either. The numbers that matter though when it comes to statistics and point guards are assists and turnovers.
Call it the QB rating, the on-base percentage, or a goalie's goals against average. For point guards it's all that matters sometimes. Hawkins had three assists and only two turnovers.
Yawn......Well maybe not. In the four previous games since Hawkins took over the point guard spot this team dished out 23 assists. That's downright awful at any level.
In two games with Hawkins, the Mean Green has had 26 assists.
There are no guarantees that Hawkins is the permanent answer for North Texas going forward, but her presence and poise the last two games has given Stephens and this team a stabilizing force it badly needed.
Even the fans in Lafayette who still haven't left the Earl K. Gym know that.
