The Mean Green's historic first-round win over Purdue Friday — our first ever victory in the NCAA Tournament — was considered one of the stunners of the day, although Mean Green fans would beg to differ. In addition to exciting fans across the country, the win brought amazing amounts of media attention our way and trended No. 1 on Twitter. Here's a small sampling:
MEDIA
USA Today: The Mean Green came out firing early and controlled the tempo all game.
ESPN: “If I told you that we didn't plan to do this, I'd be lying,” coach Grant McCasland said of his veteran team. “Those guys in that locker room came here for this reason. You never know what happens when you get out there and scrap. ... But those guys believe we're going to win.”
Sports Illustrated: March was kind to North Texas for the first time Friday.
Yahoo Sports: North Texas' Javion Hamlet scored 24 points as his dad was in attendance while wearing a shirt with Javion on the front and taking photos and videos with his iPad. It was beautiful.
AP: To be, or not to be? For an underdog named Javion Hamlet and his group of scrapping North Texas teammates, that was an easy question.
SB Nation: We are all Mean Green fans.
Dallas Morning News: Robbed of his chance last year, ex-player DJ Draper came to see North Texas become a Cinderella.
Stephen King: The Mean Green Machine!
Eli Young Band: LIGHT THE FREAKIN' TOWER!!!!
U.S. Olympian Johnny Quinn: Go Mean Green, baby!!
Mark Cuban: Keep it rolling!
Cynthia Izaguirre: Yes, that's me you hear screaming!
Trae Young: Way to make History!!
Dwyane Wade: Rankings mean nothing!!!
Bleacher Report: Javion Hamlet's dad was hyped with his iPad after North Texas' upset win.
Barstool Sports: The family of North Texas' head coach hitting the windmill and the ice in the veins celebration is A+ stuff.
Inspiration for the second round:
Lecrae: Use everything you've got and leave it all on the court.
Mark Phillips: Y'all boys are hoopin'!
After the loss to Villanova Sunday:
Mean Green Sports: The clock strikes midnight on every story.
Nick Gravois: Losing hurts. Always. But what is a Cinderella story worth?
Steven Pettit: I love this team so much!!
Wren Baker: They are a great team but are even greater people. You've elevated this program and made us all so proud.
Chancellor Roe: Congratulations @MeanGreenMBB on putting together an amazing season that captivated us all during this most challenging time.
President Smatresk: Proud of our team. They played their hearts out. Let's make sure they know how much we appreciate them and that they made history for #UNT.