UTPB is a 21 loss NAIA team, so a 59 point win is expected. I pretty much decided to make the trek up to Denton because I could, and I figured I would see some nice dunks. I was right.

Marqus Mitchell had what will probably be the dunk of the year, rising up and over a defender, reaching out for the backside of the rim, throwing it down and drawing the foul. It was amazing. If MM can't do anything else, he can leap out of the gym.

Jeffrey Simpson was unstoppable, and had 26 points in 20 minutes. Simpson had a few nice slams himself, but they aren't quite as impressive looking when you are already as big as he is. That is not saying they weren't powerful though, he looked like Shawnson Johnson Lite out there.

North Texas scored the first 16 points of the game, and other than 8 first half turnovers, everything went well. The game was pretty much just focusing on perfecting the offensive and defensive sets and gaining confidence for what will be a very tough and important game against Denver Thursday, a game that will also be on ESPN Regional. Denver is in first place and has already walloped NT up in the thin air. Thursday is a big game to knock off a top team, on TV, and to gain ground in the seeding race for the tournament.

Positives:
1) Simpson could not be stopped, had he got more minutes, there is no telling how many points he could have scored.
2) Mitchell's slam. Worth the drive and traffic right there.
3) Getting Sturns and Williams some valuable minutes that will really help them.

Negatives:
1) Ron Harris and Justin Barnett probably don't feel as good as they might have anticipated. Barnett needs to do two things- hold on to the ball and not negate his size advantage by bringing the ball down to his waist. Harris just did not play well, though he picked it up a lot at the end with a near 60 point lead and being "guarded" by someone that looks like they could have been the fifth Beatle.

Be there Thursday, the Super Pit in Denton, NT vs. Denver. It should be a well played and intense game.
Yahoo Box Score