Tyler Hall didn't have a lot of time to adjust to being in a situation he never even dreamed of finding himself in a few weeks ago.
The shot clock was winding down just seconds after he was introduced as a starter for the first time at North Texas.
Hall had to let a 3-pointer fly.
How Hall ended up in that spot is a tale of perseverance, misfortune, faith and a little luck, all wound up in one.
The 6-foot-2 guard was not recruited by UNT like a lot of his teammates and is the only player on the Mean Green's roster without a scholarship.
UNT head coach Johnny Jones said Hall pretty much just showed up and asked if he could play.
Most of the walk-ons UNT has had on the roster during Jones' tenure as the Mean Green's head coach have made their contributions by pushing the team's starters in practice.
Hall has done much more while starting three of UNT's last four games. He has played at least 22 minutes in each of the Mean Green's last four games and will likely be in the starting lineup again tonight when UNT faces Florida International (7-15, 4-6 Sun Belt) in Miami.
"It's crazy the way it has turned out, but I'm confident," Hall said. "I believe in myself and have a wonderful team. Everyone on this team is capable."
The fact that Hall is playing - and UNT (13-10, 6-4) is still winning - is a testament to that fact in a season when nothing seems to have gone right in terms of the Mean Green's roster.
Grambling transfer Justin Patton was expected to be an impact player this year but has not played a minute due to academic and injury issues.
Chris Jones and Jordan Williams, two freshman guards who started most of the season's first half, were ruled ineligible at the semester break, while junior guard/forward Jacob Holmen suffered two concussions that forced him to the bench for nearly a month.
UNT had little choice but to turn to Hall, who has come through when the Mean Green has needed him most, scoring 14 points in UNT's last four games.
"Tyler has been a huge plus for us and a good option," Johnny Jones said. "He has been prepared for his chance because of the time and effort he has put in during practice."
By the time Hall arrived at UNT, he had resigned himself to the fact that he might never become a key player for anyone at the college level.
Hall was a two-time first-team all-district selection at Pampa and had attracted the attention of a few college coaches who were impressed by his shooting ability and the way he hustled after every loose ball.
Jeff Bzdelik, the head coach at Air Force at the time, was among them and recruited Hall before leaving for Colorado.
Jeff Reynolds, who took over for Bzdelik, continued recruiting Hall and placed him at the Air Force Academy prep school.
Hall quickly decided the military life wasn't a fit and returned to Texas.
"It's not for everybody," Hall said of military life. "It's a strenuous schedule with the military on top of academics on top of athletics. High school didn't prepare me for that."
Hall landed at Collin County Community College, where he helped the Cougars win the Northern Texas Junior College Athletics Conference championship.
Hall wasn't a star on the team that included second-team JUCO All-American Adam Brown, who went on to play for Houston, but he did attract the interest of a few schools.
"I had a couple of places I could have gone to play after that, but my best friends from high school came here," Hall said. "I figured I would come here and try to get on the team."
Hall went through the tryout process and landed a spot on the roster.
Since then, the rest of UNT's players have come to see him as just another one of the guys.
"It's not like he can't play," senior forward Kedrick Hogans said. "He knows the system and is a great shooter and passer. He's a pretty good defender, too."
The support players like Hogans have shown Hall has made a difference.
"It definitely helps to know that they guys have confidence in me," Hall said. "It would be tough to come in here and work hard if they didn't. We all believe in each other and are one big family."
Hall thought he would get a little playing time here and there throughout his career. He scored four points while playing four minutes in the 2009-10 season, when UNT went to the NCAA tournament.
Hall would have been happy if that turned out to be his role throughout his career as a walk-on. He has never had the benefit of a scholarship and has paid his own way at UNT.
"It's definitely worth it," Hall said. "The things you learn in athletics on top of school helps in life, especially with being a walk-on and having to work that much harder."
It also makes the highlights on the court all the sweeter.
That was the case when Hall hoisted that 3-pointer, the first shot of the game, in his first start at UNT.
It hit nothing but net as the fans in the stands at the Super Pit cheered for Hall, whom they have come to know and love as a player making the most of his opportunity.
"I love it, I love it," Jones said of seeing Hall succeed. "I'm so excited for him. "Sometimes, it's a dream come true for guys just to put that uniform on. For him to have a chance to make an impact not only in practice, but also in games is special."
BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .
