Next year is finally here. <br /><br />With football stumbling through it&#039;s season, some fans attention may turn to our basketball team to fill the&nbsp; Mean Green void left in their life.&nbsp; The NT basketball team has suffered through some pretty rough times over the past few years.&nbsp; After Vic Trilli left this program in complete anarchy , it has been tough for North Texas to bounce back .&nbsp; <br /><br />I see those fans that have stuck with the team much like Chicago Cubs fans.&nbsp; We feel cursed at times, but we won&#039;t quit following the team under ANY circumstances. The hardcore Mean Green fan knows that help is coming next season.<br />I know that this is the season that Ben Bell will provide the ball distribution that&nbsp; will finally make our offense click.&nbsp; I know that&nbsp; Keith Wooden will finally give the Mean Green a force in the paint that can provide power on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Curtis Jackson will prove to be a pleasent surprise that will give our defense a little extra presence around the hoop. <br /><br /> Wishful thinking?&nbsp; Without a doubt.&nbsp; Bell, Wooden, and Jackson will collectively play a large role on this years hoops squad.&nbsp; Lets at least hope 2 of the 3 can show that&nbsp; they have the tools to win against the best our conference offers. <br /><br /> This success of this season rides on so many questions:<br /><br />1 .&nbsp; Is this the year that Quincy Williams becomes a leader on the court?&nbsp; I know he has it in him to be a great player, I just haven&#039;t seen consistency.<br /><br />2.&nbsp; Can freshman Collin Mangrum from Howe, TX really contribute coming from such a small school?&nbsp; Can he pass well or does he just heave the ball up every chance he gets?<br /><br /> 3.&nbsp; Speaking of Howe, can Justin Howerton put things together?&nbsp; He was WAY behind the learning curve least season.&nbsp; Perhaps this season he has adjusted to the college game.<br /><br />4.&nbsp; Can the Mean Green not run the Heave and Leave?&nbsp; ( I am gonna patent that term) That is, can they not just jack up a three-pointer and immediatly have the opposition on a fast break.&nbsp; Coach Normal Dale said 5 passes.<br /><br />5.&nbsp; Kendrick Davis - Can he learn when to take over and when to get his teamates involved?<br /><br />6.&nbsp; As above:&nbsp; Bell, Wooden, and Jackson:&nbsp; Will they be able to gel with this team and help us turn the corner?<br /><br /> Without most of these questions being answered in NT&#039;s favor, we will stay where we have been - middle of the pack.&nbsp; Should that happen, I am ready to start talking up Roderick Fleming and proclaim next year as THE year. Laughing<br /><br /> <br /><br />Note:<br />I am NOT a writer.&nbsp; Drugs are my forte, not words.&nbsp; If you are scratching your head wondering what in the heck am I talking about, its because an absolute amateur wrote it.<br /><br /> <br />

Let&#039;s tip off already.&nbsp; ;D<br /><br />Wish the squad was coming west this year.&nbsp; Oh well.