Benford emphasizing academics, accountability in first year as coach

[Harry]

Tony Benford has only been the UNT men’s basketball head coach for 154 days. Through that offseason span a lot has changed, including a new emphasis on the student half of being a student-athlete.

Last year, Mean Green freshmen Chris Jones and Jordan Williams became academically ineligible in the middle of the season. Benford said this season everyone is eligible, and he hopes that under his watch there will be no further academic issues.

This summer the team’s GPA was an average 3.03 throughout its collective summer courses, and all five seniors are on track to graduate in May.

While losing the coaches who recruited him to UNT was hard initially, the now-eligible Jones said the team developed trust with the new staff.

“I’m excited to get back out [on the court],” Jones said. “The thing I like about the new coaching staff is that when they first came in, it was straight academics [and] no basketball at first. I liked that. Having a problem with my academics last year, that really helped me.”

Benford and his staff, with the exception of the director of basketball operations Jeff Luster, are spending their first year at UNT. The three new coaches are associate head coach Rob Evans and assistant coaches Bart Lundy and Dave Anwar. Lundy and Evans, both former collegiate head coaches, combine for 416-329 record.

“I kind of knew in my mind the guys I was going to hire,” Benford said. “When you look at a staff, you want loyalty and trust. And I have a lot of trust and faith in these guys.”

A rule passed by the NCAA also allowed the team to build up the chemistry with the coaches.

Read more: http://www.ntdaily.com/?p=68948

[NTD_Writer]

While it wasn't included in this write-up, here is a little extra bit from my interview yesterday with Benford on how he thinks the new players are developing and fit into the puzzle.

Benford's Breakdown:

“Keith Coleman has improved the most out of all the new guys we added, and we need him to the improve the most. He's 6”10, 250 [lbs,] he's our biggest player. Very athletic tough interior rebounder and defender.”

“P.J. Hardwick will be really good. He is a change-of-pace, pass-first point guard. He'll come in and put a lot of pressure on the opposing team's point guard. He's really quick in transition and in open court he'll push it and initiate our offense.”

“Clark Overlander is probably the best shooter on our team. He's really adjusting to the intensity of the game and how hard you have to work. His ability to shoot the basketball is really going to help us, but he has to become a better defender and he understands that.”

[meangreenfan65]

Agree, 100%. As much as I love college b-ball, it doesn't last forever, and the probability, of playing at the next level (unless you are TM), is not in your favor.

[foutsrouts]

While it wasn't included in this write-up, here is a little extra bit from my interview yesterday with Benford on how he thinks the new players are developing and fit into the puzzle.

Benford's Breakdown:

“Keith Coleman has improved the most out of all the new guys we added, and we need him to the improve the most. He's 6”10, 250 [lbs,] he's our biggest player. Very athletic tough interior rebounder and defender.”

“P.J. Hardwick will be really good. He is a change-of-pace, pass-first point guard. He'll come in and put a lot of pressure on the opposing team's point guard. He's really quick in transition and in open court he'll push it and initiate our offense.”

“Clark Overlander is probably the best shooter on our team. He's really adjusting to the intensity of the game and how hard you have to work. His ability to shoot the basketball is really going to help us, but he has to become a better defender and he understands that.”

Good to hear. Hope Coleman has his FT's in order because it would be nice for him to have the potential to be a 20-30 minute guy.

[MeanGreenDan]

While it wasn't included in this write-up, here is a little extra bit from my interview yesterday with Benford on how he thinks the new players are developing and fit into the puzzle.

Benford's Breakdown:

“Keith Coleman has improved the most out of all the new guys we added, and we need him to the improve the most. He's 6”10, 250 [lbs,] he's our biggest player. Very athletic tough interior rebounder and defender.”

“P.J. Hardwick will be really good. He is a change-of-pace, pass-first point guard. He'll come in and put a lot of pressure on the opposing team's point guard. He's really quick in transition and in open court he'll push it and initiate our offense.”

“Clark Overlander is probably the best shooter on our team. He's really adjusting to the intensity of the game and how hard you have to work. His ability to shoot the basketball is really going to help us, but he has to become a better defender and he understands that.”

Thanks for the additional insights!

[UNTLifer]

“I’m excited to get back out [on the court],” Jones said. “The thing I like about the new coaching staff is that when they first came in, it was straight academics [and] no basketball at first. I liked that. Having a problem with my academics last year, that really helped me.”

My favorite statement in the article.

[Harry]

While it wasn't included in this write-up, here is a little extra bit from my interview yesterday with Benford on how he thinks the new players are developing and fit into the puzzle.

Benford's Breakdown:

“Keith Coleman has improved the most out of all the new guys we added, and we need him to the improve the most. He's 6”10, 250 [lbs,] he's our biggest player. Very athletic tough interior rebounder and defender.”

“P.J. Hardwick will be really good. He is a change-of-pace, pass-first point guard. He'll come in and put a lot of pressure on the opposing team's point guard. He's really quick in transition and in open court he'll push it and initiate our offense.”

“Clark Overlander is probably the best shooter on our team. He's really adjusting to the intensity of the game and how hard you have to work. His ability to shoot the basketball is really going to help us, but he has to become a better defender and he understands that.”

Good stuff. thanks for sharing this.