This and that

A few musings on hoops, spikes, today's football game and Search 2010: 

• Not much to add to UNT's game Friday night in men's hoops, other than I figured the Mean Green might hang around a little longer at Kansas in the Jayhawks' 90-63 victory. I thought UNT might get out of the Phog with roughly a 15-point loss, but Kansas winning by this much is no surprise. In just a few weeks, UNT got a good look at what should be the top and bottom ends of the Big 12, including a two-period scrimmage against Oklahoma that UNT won by 20 or so. No telling what Texas Tech will be this season, but it's still early after UNT's OT win on Tuesday. Another good one at the Pit on Tuesday against Rice, and UNT should get the W if the shooting returns. Those UNT grads or Denton folks who don't see a game all season -- and let's face, a lot won't -- are going to miss out on a nice team worth watching.

• UNT's volleyball season is over after the Mean Green fell 3-1 to Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt semifinals. UNT finished 20-13 and tied for the West Division title, which means a banner goes up at the Mean Green Village next season. Good first step in rebuilding that program and attracting more of top club talent from around the area and state. You can see UNT really getting a crack at a conference title and NCAA berth in the next few years if things keep trending upward. Wonder if any of those standing-room only matches (they do happen occasionally) need to move to a bigger place. If so, good problem to have.

• Can't predict what a UNT football victory at Monroe today will mean, but you figure it'll at least make interim coach Mike Canales a viable candidate for the job and hopefully not a symbolic one given lip service. No surprise, I got an emphatic thumbs up from several players who will return in 2011. They're also big boys who know coaching searches rarely, if ever, take into account players' desires. Dictatorships, not democracies. Whatever happens, playing well and having success lately has felt good, and you can't argue with that. With getting closer to six wins on the line, figure ULM to punch away. Keeping the Warhawks' DL from teeing off will be a priority.

• Speaking of the search, I'm getting some indication that it's officially on, but know one knows for sure if it's with or without Canales. Again, today will tell more, but at least two other strong candidates have emerged out front. Until there's more confirmation, this isn't the forum to discuss them openly.