#4 North Teas' Tony Benford
A former Texas Tech player, Tony Benford has kicked all around the country as an assistant. He's had stints at New Mexico, Arizona State, Nebraska and Marquette, where he's spent the last four years as Buzz Williams' top assistant.
Benford's recruiting touch is well-regarded, and the proof is in the pros. Benford has recruited and coached eight players who went on to be NBA draft picks, five of them first-rounders.
Benford should get to add another pro to that list when Tony Mitchell declares for the draft, probably in 2013. Mitchell pondered bolting after Johnny Jones left for LSU, but decided to stay and rekindle a relationship that began when Benford tried to recruit Mitchell to Marquette.
Mitchell's return makes UNT a favorite to win the Sun Belt in its final year before leaving for Conference USA.
North Texas returns its top seven scorers from last season and adds 6'9", 250-pound junior college center Keith Coleman, whose bulk will be essential to free Mitchell up to roam the wing.
Benford's pedigree will serve him well when he needs to restock the roster, and the raised profile of UNT basketball under Jones will help even more.
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