Fast break: Texas Tech hosts North Texas

Harry · November 15, 2016

MEN’S COLLEGE

BASKETBALL:

TEXAS TECH

VS. NORTH TEXAS

6:30 P.M. TUESDAY

UNITED SUPERMARKETS ARENA

On the other side

Red Raider basketball fans will see a familiar face on the opposing bench as Tony Benford returns to Lubbock.

Benford, a four year letterwinner at Texas Tech from 1983 to 1986, was a part of two Southwest Conference Tournament title teams (1985 and 1986) and the 1985 SWC regular season champion.

He earned all-league honors as a senior, as well as Most Valuable Player of the SWC Tournament.

Benford wore No. 34, scored 1,009 career points (35th all-time) and played in 121 games (6th all-time).

He was chosen by the Boston Celtics in the fourth round of the 1986 NBA Draft and then played professionally in Holland during the 1986-87 season.

Beard’s North
Texas ties

Chris Beard’s first Division I job was at North Texas.

After serving as a graduate assistant at Incarnate Word (1995-96) and an assistant at Abilene Christian (1996-97), Beard was hired as an assistant coach at North Texas in 1997.

“I have a lot of respect for all the people at North Texas,” the Texas Tech coach said. “I’m very proud of my association (with them). I was an assistant there under Vic Trilli in the late 90s. It’s a program I have a lot of respect for. I know we’ll have to play well. Coach Benford does a great job and has good players. It will be a real test for us.”

Beard stayed at North Texas until he took his first head coach position at Fort Scott Community College in 1999.

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