Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Host North Texas on Monday
December 28, 2014 | Men's Basketball
December 28, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech will close out the non-conference portion of its schedule on Monday night, as the Red Raiders host North Texas at 7 p.m. at United Supermarkets Arena.
"North Texas is an athletic team that is well coached and I know we will get their best," said Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith. "We are looking to get back on track after a tough couple of days in Las Vegas."
North Texas (6-5) is led by former All-Southwest Conference Red Raider Tony Benford, who led Texas Tech to the 1986 SWC Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Championships. His efforts earned the guard most valuable player honors. Benford played from 1982-86, netting 1,015 points during his four years on the High Plains.
Benford grew up in Hobbs, N.M., so Monday's game is a coming home of sorts for the North Texas head coach, who is in his third season at the helm of the Eagles.
The Red Raiders are looking to become the 13th team in Texas Tech history to start the season 10-3 and just the seventh Red Raider squad to win 10 pre-conference games. The Red Raiders are currently 9-3 on the season after finishing 2-2 in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic.
Texas Tech has held 11 of its first 12 opponents under 70 points this season, an effort that has not been accomplished since the 1951-52 season. It is also the only time during the shot clock era (1986-present) that this has happened.
The Red Raiders are a perfect 9-0 at home and look to secure its 10th straight home win for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Texas Tech leads the series with North Texas, 10-6. The Eagles won three of the first four meetings in the series which began in 1946. Since the, Texas Tech has gone 9-3 in the series. But the two teams have split the last two meetings, with the home team taking each win.
Both teams look remarkably different from the last time the two teams met in 2011. Both North Texas and Texas Tech have experienced coaching changes since then.
North Texas competes in Conference USA and is currently 6-5 on the season. Leading the way for the Eagles are Jordan Williams (14.3 points), Jeremy Combs (9.5 points) and T.J. Taylor (9.0 points). North Texas averages just 66.5 points per game. They fell earlier this year to Big 12 foe Oklahoma State, 87-61.
Texas Tech has been led by Devaugntah Williams, who is averaging 11.4 points per game. Williams had 21 points in a losing effort against Houston last time out. In all, eight Red Raiders are averaging more than 5.0 points per game. Robert Turner adds 9.4 points, while Norense Odiase chips in another 8.4 points per game.
Following Monday's game, Texas Tech will begin conference play, as the Red Raiders host Texas on Saturday, followed by West Virginia on Monday.
