UNT parts ways with backup

Green Dozer · March 27, 2013

Expect a couple more.

Yep!

forevereagle · March 27, 2013

I hate to see this, I thought that he would be able to develop into a quality player for us. It was unfortunate that he was thrust into the role he was so early in his career. He would have probably been better served with a RS season this year to adjust to the college game and get ready for next year.

emmitt01 · March 27, 2013

Fire up the JUCO train as Benford attempts to save his job.
He will be the year 4 Dodge of UNT basketball.

Of course. The apologists need for him to completely gut this program...otherwise the next guy can't have a free pass due to "Benford's mess".

Rudy · March 27, 2013

Benford = Buzz Williams - wins

Benford = Hindenburg - Giant Blimp

Cooley · March 28, 2013

Hate when anyone leaves the program but Clarke was a questionable signing when he committed to JJ. (My opinion). I'm as disappointed about the past season as anyone but I can't blame Tony Benford for Clarke's departure. A shooting percentage of 15% in D1, junior college or middle school isn't going to cut it. Clarke is a good kid and I'm convinced that HE made the decision that is best for him. Hopefully, JJ will find a spot for him on the roster.

foutsrouts · March 28, 2013

Hate when anyone leaves the program but Clarke was a questionable signing when he committed to JJ. (My opinion). I'm as disappointed about the past season as anyone but I can't blame Tony Benford for Clarke's departure. A shooting percentage of 15% in D1, junior college or middle school isn't going to cut it. Clarke is a good kid and I'm convinced that HE made the decision that is best for him. Hopefully, JJ will find a spot for him on the roster.

Not all that bad. For a Benford team.

UNT90 · March 28, 2013

Hate when anyone leaves the program but Clarke was a questionable signing when he committed to JJ. (My opinion). I'm as disappointed about the past season as anyone but I can't blame Tony Benford for Clarke's departure. A shooting percentage of 15% in D1, junior college or middle school isn't going to cut it. Clarke is a good kid and I'm convinced that HE made the decision that is best for him. Hopefully, JJ will find a spot for him on the roster.

So it's a coincidence that we get a commit from a shootong guard and Clarke goes from tweeting about looking forward to practicing in the new facility to transfering and you think it was his idea? I'm sure that it was his idea after a talk with Benford about his role in the program going forward, but I don't think Clarke woke up and decided "Gee, I think I'll transfer today." I think he was told that he was being replaced. And I don't necessarily have a problem with that.

But to say this was 100% Clarke's idea is a load of BS, in my humble opinion.

Also, better hope Carrington can qualify, or else we are still looking for a shooting guard 3 weeks from signing day.

Andrew · March 28, 2013

We have 3 good shooting guards already... Walton, Alzee, and Taylor. At this point I will take another, but the post is what needs to be addressed.

UNT90 · March 28, 2013

UNT has the worst luck with white dudes.

Ya, but they are usually much bigger.

Cooley · March 28, 2013

"I'm sure that it was his idea after a talk with Benford about his role in the program going forward"

"But to say this was 100% Clarke's idea is a load of BS, in my humble opinion".

That's exactly how it probably happened. Clarke made a decision to leave 100% on his own after meeting with Benford. I'm sure Benford met/lmeets with all players individually to discuss things guys need to work on. That's the way it is everywhere and should be! In the discussion, the coach couldn't assure the player that playing time would increase the following year. With that bit of info, the player decides to transfer out for more playing time. Now, did Benford tell the kid that he needed his scholarship?. No, I don't believe that. Maybe last year with Trey Norris (with a Bue Chip prospect waiting in the wings)

We don't know when the Ward kid committed. I just stumbled up on it this week. Vito placed a call to his coach to confirm. We are all sweating out whether we will land a big man. The staff may have secured a commitment/agreement from a big man months ago.

Edited March 28, 2013 by Cooley

Censored by Laurie · March 28, 2013

Benford = Hindenburg - Giant Blimp

ummm...actually...

TheTastyGreek · March 28, 2013

ummm...actually...

Yep. A little off on that one... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_von_Hindenburg

Though Hindenburg's own military ability is disputed,^[5] he had a team of talented and able subordinates who won him a series of great victories on the Eastern Front between 1914–1916. These victories transformed Hindenburg into Germany's most popular man.^[6] During the war, Hindenburg was the subject of an enormous personality cult. He was seen as the perfect embodiment of German manly honour, rectitude, decency and strength^{[citation needed]}.

Censored by Laurie · March 28, 2013

Yep. A little off on that one... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_von_Hindenburg

Actually I was just disputing the "- blimp" part. You know...because he's a fat ass.

Glad to know my joke had layers...and glad it was you who picked up on it. You know, we make a good team...we should do a podcast...on anything but UNT basketball.

TheTastyGreek · March 28, 2013

You know, we make a good team...we should do a podcast...on anything but UNT basketball.

I don't know... I think a Nightline/Iranian Hostage Crisis podcast approach could work.

Otherwise, we have to find another mutual interest.

CMJ · March 28, 2013

I don't know... I think a Nightline/Iranian Hostage Crisis podcast approach could work.

Otherwise, we have to find another mutual interest.

I had the number of days since we blew the UAH game as a meme for awhile? Yall can take it and run with it.

Rudy · March 28, 2013

You can do a podcast on NT basketball, but noone will listen.

Except Andrew. He would have fun just listening to the show, regardless of how good it was.

UNT90 · March 28, 2013

I don't know... I think a Nightline/Iranian Hostage Crisis podcast approach could work.

Otherwise, we have to find another mutual interest.

"Day 366, UNT basketball held hostage" has a nice ring to it.

UNT90 · March 28, 2013

"I'm sure that it was his idea after a talk with Benford about his role in the program going forward"

"But to say this was 100% Clarke's idea is a load of BS, in my humble opinion".

That's exactly how it probably happened. Clarke made a decision to leave 100% on his own after meeting with Benford. I'm sure Benford met/lmeets with all players individually to discuss things guys need to work on. That's the way it is everywhere and should be! In the discussion, the coach couldn't assure the player that playing time would increase the following year. With that bit of info, the player decides to transfer out for more playing time. Now, did Benford tell the kid that he needed his scholarship?. No, I don't believe that. Maybe last year with Trey Norris (with a Bue Chip prospect waiting in the wings)

We don't know when the Ward kid committed. I just stumbled up on it this week. Vito placed a call to his coach to confirm. We are all sweating out whether we will land a big man. The staff may have secured a commitment/agreement from a big man months ago.

We will never know, but Clarke wanted to be here. He wanted to be here badly. Kinda rare for a local kid. And he did a complete 180 in a very short amount of time. I'm sure Clarke was urged to transfer, and like I said, I really don't have a problem with that.

Just don't try to tell me that Clarke suddenly made this decision all on his own.

Ain't buying it.

Edited March 28, 2013 by UNT90

Censored by Laurie · March 28, 2013

"Day 366, UNT basketball held hostage" has a nice ring to it.

We could make this into a movie.

"Argo Eff Yourself : The Tony Benford Crisis"

Title was taken from the transcript of the Benford/Brady exchange.

I hope Bill Murray plays me.

UNT90 · March 28, 2013

We could make this into a movie.

"Argo Eff Yourself : The Tony Benford Crisis"

Title was taken from the transcript of the Benford/Brady exchange.
I hope Bill Murray plays me.

Well, we have already gotten Clarke Overlander released from the Benford compound, probably with one or two more to go, so maybe the Argo theme could apply.

And come on, man. In the movie, we are all bit players. Kinda like the dudes swinging by the neck from the Cranes in the original.

Edited March 28, 2013 by UNT90

GoMeanGreen1999 · March 28, 2013

We will never know, but Clarke wanted to be here. He wanted to be here badly. Kinda rare for a local kid. And he did a complete 180 in a very short amount of time. I'm sure Clarke was urged to transfer, and like I said, I really don't have a problem with that.

Just don't try to tell me that Clarke suddenly made this decision all on his own.

Ain't buying it.

Just another example of where a local kid who wanted to play here, in the end won't. See also Scotty Young.

emmitt01 · March 28, 2013

Just another example of where a local kid who wanted to play here, in the end won't. See also Scotty Young.

Yet we have fans who will line up to bemoan that fact that local kids won't consider us.

Local, or from across the nation, would you sign on to this train wreck?

UNT90 · March 28, 2013

Yet we have fans who will line up to bemoan that fact that local kids won't consider us.

Local, or from across the nation, would you sign on to this train wreck?

Not if I could go to Eastern Michigan or Tennessee Tech...