UNT football, hoops tidbits

The Mean Green headed for Manhattan, Kan., a short time ago for Saturday's opener at Kansas State. The only notable personnel absence was backup cornerback Latif Nurudeen, who pulled a hamstring on Wednesday but wasn't ready to play despite practicing Friday.

In recent women's basketball news:

_ New coach Shanice Stephens has had quite a first week with her inherited team. First, incoming freshman forward Ryan Green of Crowley was released from her scholarship and has transferred to UT-Arlington. A few days ago, UTA submitted paperwork to request a waiver from the NCAA that would enable Green to play in the 2008-2009 season. Because Green attended summer school at UNT, NCAA rules say she must sit out a season before competing. It's a dicey situation if Green has to indict Stephens or UNT's program in some way (they didn't part amicably) to justify getting a waiver. Other than to wish Green well, Stephens has had no comment on the matter.

_ Stephens said last year's top scorer and rebounder, forward Amber Jackson, was suspended recently from all off-season team workouts/functions. Stephens didn't much elaborate, but apparently she and Jackson, UNT's best returning player, haven't gotten off on the right foot. Said Stephens: "It's a team issue that was handled internally, and it's been resolved."