UNT coaches entering key season

[Harry]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala — Tony Benford can sense a difference in North Texas’ men’s program heading into his third season.

UNT’s players understand what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to go about getting there. The former Marquette assistant also has had a chance to go shopping when it comes to recruiting.

Benford isn’t trying to fit the players he inherited into his system any longer.

The Mean Green of 2014-15 are Benford’s third team and are essentially his own team. The roster is filled almost exclusively with players he recruited and schooled in his system.

The question now is whether that mix of talent will help UNT mix it up successfully with the rest of Conference USA and reach the heights the program enjoyed a few years ago during a run of six straight winning seasons.

The UNT women are in essentially the same spot heading into Mike Petersen’s third year.

“It helps the deeper into your tenure you get,” Benford said. “Our culture is starting to form, and our guys are starting to understand how hard you’ve got to play and how accountable you have to be on and off the court.”

Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20141016-basketball-unt-coaches-entering-key-season.ece

[Brett Vito]

Accompanying notebook: UNT preparing as if Reese will play:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20141016-basketball-notebook-unt-preparing-as-if-reese-will-be-eligible.ece

[UNT90]

Key season isn't until next year.

We don't fire coaches until year 4.

History don't lie.

[Censored by Laurie]

Accompanying notebook: UNT preparing as if Reese will play:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20141016-basketball-notebook-unt-preparing-as-if-reese-will-be-eligible.ece

and readying the excuse-cannon for when he doesn't

[CMJ]

Key season isn't until next year.

We don't fire coaches until year 4.

History don't lie.