The men’s basketball programs at Texas Tech and Arkansas-Little Rock, which meet Tuesday in Lubbock, share several ties.
First-year head coach Chris Beard spent 10 years at Texas Tech as an assistant coach under Bob and Pat Knight (2001-11).
He recruited senior guard Toddrick Gotcher.
One of his assistant coaches, Mark Adams, was on Tubby Smith’s staff the past two seasons as director of basketball operations.
On the Red Raiders’ end, junior forward Aaron Ross is from Little Rock, while sophomore forward Zach Smith’s parents both played at Little Rock.
“Chris Beard is a disciple of Bob Knight,” the Texas Tech coach said.