Beard exits Texas Tech for Texas
Chris Beard is leaving Texas Tech for the basketball coaching job at Big 12 rival Texas.
Beard said Thursday he was “thrilled and excited” to be returning to Austin, where he was a student assistant under coach Tom Penders. Beard will be formally introduced at a news conference today on campus.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a day,” Beard said in a statement released by Texas. “It’s a difficult and emotional day in a lot of ways as I leave Texas Tech, a place where I’m very appreciative of not only my five years as a head coach but also my 10 years as an assistant. I owe so much to Texas Tech University.”
Beard led the Red Raiders to an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish to Virginia two seasons ago. He will replace Shaka Smart, who left after six seasons for Marquette.
Iowa’s Luka Garza, 6-foot11, 265-pound senior who averaged 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, is The Associated Press men’s Player of the Year after finishing second last season. He was the runaway choice for the award announced Thursday, receiving 50 of 63 votes from AP Top 25 voters.
Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu (six), Oklahoma State freshman Cade Cunningham (three), Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert (two) and Baylor’s Jared Butler (two) each received votes.
As expected, Cunningham declared for the NBA draft. He could be the top pick.
Michigan’s Juwan Howard was named the Coach of the Year, receiving 35 votes. Gonzaga’s Mark Few was second with 16 votes, and Baylor’s Scott Drew and Alabama’s Nate Oats each received five.
The league is considering a rule change that would allow teams to maintain possession of the ball after a score by converting a fourth-and-15 play from their own 25 instead of recovering an onside kick.
Delaware State pushed across three runs with two out in the top of the 11th inning to beat Norfolk State 5-2 in the opener of a four-game MEAC series. The teams are slated to play a doubleheader at noon today and the finale at noon Saturday.
John Weglarz drew a basesloaded walk from Seth Hockett (0-1) to put DSU (5-10, 3-2) ahead. Trey Paige reached on an infield single and Krew Bouldin was plunked by a pitch to expand the lead. Weglarz was 3 for 4 with two RBIs.
Alsander Womack batted 3 for 5 for NSU (7-16, 3-2), and Cody Donnell and Ty Hanchey had RBI hits for the Spartans. NSU starter Justin Walton held the Hornets to two runs in eight innings. DSU starter Cole Bates pitched the first nine innings, yielding six hits.
Hickory High alumna Bailey Roberts belted a grand slam and Emily Weatherholtz pitched a two-hit shutout in Game 1 as host Christopher Newport (15-7), ranked fourth in Division III, beat previously unbeaten Bridgewater 7-0. The Eagles (9-1) won 2-1 in Game 2.
Roberts’ blast to center field broke a 0-0 tie in the third inning.
In Game 2, Bridgewater’s Brantley Swift pitched a five-hitter to win a pitchers’ duel against Gracie Vallejos. The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the sixth on Kaitlyn Tiro’s RBI double and Kathryn Thomas’ squeeze bunt. CNU answered with Caroline Pollock’s RBI single to right-center in the seventh, but Swift induced a groundout to end the game.