TheCaveCrew

Seems like Benford always has a revolving door of random people getting exposed to his players. I always noticed with Johnny that he kept a very tight circle for his teams. I mean every game there seems to be a random guy or two on the bench. I understand Dr. Carr has been brought in to "help" Benfords teams but does the guy really need to be on the bench? Seems like quite the distraction to me and just lack of control from Benford. From the looks of it last season EJ (Athletic Trainer) even got bumped off the bench and to the scorers table and Seroka looked more aggravated than usual. Now he adds this Director of Player Development? Just doesnt make sense to me. I mean if this position was going to be created why bring in a random person last year and this year who has no connection to the kids. What happenedd to that manager we had here who was Tony Mitchells right hand man? Believe his name was Matt. I would have rather seen Benford keep this in the family with a former manager/player. Just frustrating to see more complication added into this terrible situation we have at the Super Pit.

Tony will be a great ambassador of this university and our basketball program in years to come. Spoke with him after the middle game and he was like a little kid just happy as could be to be back around alot of people in the program that love him. He was especially close to the support staff he had such as seroka, EJ, and a manager. He seems to be learning how to be a professional from guys like Rasheed, Andre, and others on the Pistons roster. With that personal development i believe it will transition into other great things. North Texas will benefit greatly from one of our best athletes we have ever produced.

Great to see Tony Mitchell in the building. Seems to be doing well, got a chance to chat with him. I think Stephen Howard and former Manager Matt Walsh were behind getting him up to Denton from Dallas. He seemed happy to see the students especially and said he loved the welcome he got. Hope he returns again soon (schedule permiting of course).

Kram you are 100% right. This team has been working VERY HARD! The most important thing to these players is the support of the fans. No one knows how dissappointed they were in themselves last season. They knew they let everyone down. The players brought in are helping the veteran Mean Greeners and rookies to be accountable. But like I said, what this team needs and wants nothing more is the fans support.

PJ Hardwick was nothing but a cancer in the lockerroom, on the practice court, in the dorms, and everywhere else he showed up. Pinning coaches against each other with the help of his father and cheap shotting teammates. PJ was nowhere near a good player or good teammate. He had an inconsistent jumpshot, lack of court vision, and continued to butt heads with the coaches, staff, managers and teammates on the bench when he was pulled. For those of you who think that was Benfords fault we lost him you are crazy. It was a godsend when we sent him packing. Him and Coach Brady will make a wonderful hot headed bully duo at Arkansas State. I honestly dont think anyone can say anything good about PJ other than he put up a great front to fans and others. Nothing more than a smartass conartist infront of certain people. Behind closed doors he was a TERRIBLE PERSON!

There are no words to express how much Coach Lundy did for this team over the last 12+ months. He has been a great mentor to many of the young men involved in this program. He has been a great dad from a distance but it seems the distance has worn on him which was evident most of the year. Best of luck to Coach Lundy, he will be sorely missed by us all!

All I can do is laugh at you guys. For the last 3 years I have sat and read the STUPID comments and assumptions that have come from most of you (some of you this doesnt pertain to). This is a big problem with the support of North Texas Athletics. The fanbase shouldnt be on the messageboards BASHING the athletes and coaches theyre supposed to be supporting. As for Tony Benford goes your all IDIOTS if you push to run him out of town. Ive never been around a more talented and knowledgable coach with such great insight or someone who put together such a talented staff. Coach Benford is such a great coach to his players that he has been a personal shield to the players that needed to be held accountable behind closed doors. There are players in that lockerroom that owe him countless thank yous for not throwing them out to the press to answer questions why they had to sit for games, suspensions or just overall stupidity on their part. This season was dissapointing for the entire staff. The players chose to run with the kindness Coach Benford showed and didnt respect the opportunity he presented to them. From day one the groundwork was laid for them to be as successful as they wanted. When injuries plagued the team people were asked to step up and the leadership ball was dropped in the lockerroom. Roger Franklin couldnt carry the team himself and Tony Mitchell was playing through more than any of you can imagine. If it werent for EJ Tony wouldnt have been able to give what he did. I didnt see many of you at a single OPEN PRACTICE which was held DAILY this past season. It just amazes me the amount of people here with ZERO knowledge of how collegiate basketball works yet you all are so quick to harp on the entire program and chalk it up to a monumental setback. I just hope that this season and when the success starts rolling in coach has written your names down and your turned away at the celebration door. I can promise I will remember you all.... GO MEAN GREEN