Tony Bennett to...

[Big Daddy Z]

TB would have been a bust at MU...he doesn't have the passion for MU and his style would get blown up in the Big East...he'll be chop liver in the ACC...he's a mid-major at best...please

[4everwarriors]

I've heard the Jeter to UW-Madison for awhile and I guess I don't quite get it.  He's done an ok job there, but nothing spectacular.  Jeter is a great guy and tight with Bo obviously, I'd love for him to get the gig.  I always figured Tony as more a Marquette guy then UW-Madison guy.  His dad was crapped on a bit by UW and Bennett's dad had fond relationship with MU.

Wrong, the answer I feel is Tony wouldn't give MU the time of day after we peed on his father while at UWGB. Dick would have given his family jewels for the Warrior job, but didn't as much as get an interview.

[79Warrior]

I know it isn't a picnic, that's what I find interesting.  Tells me that he thinks he has a better chance to compete in the ACC with UVA then in the Big East with MU.  Or at least that is one conclusion that someone could draw, though it may be completely inaccurate.  Maybe he just digs Virginia.   

I think MU is a tough sell. Urban campus, freezing cold etc. UVA is beautiful campus with milder climate. I would not want to go from Pullman to Milwaukee.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Wrong, the answer I feel is Tony wouldn't give MU the time of day after we peed on his father while at UWGB. Dick would have given his family jewels for the Warrior job, but didn't as much as get an interview.

Dick still speaks fondly of Marquette and McGuire.  I know he would have loved the MU job and would have also loved if MU gave Tony a scholarship, but either way Dick seems to have more than a few special things to say about MU in the circles I travel.

Now, his son could be totally different and I'd say by his actions last year and his quick jump this year, you're probably dead on right.  He could care less about MU (even if his father thinks it's special).

UVA will be tough gig for him.  Hope it works out.

[augoman]

last year Bennet had a hot team and was coach of the year..., this year, not so much.  last year he never wanted to leave his dream job..., this year, couldn't wait!  Timing is everything.

[BuzzSucksSucks]

Just a thought...This is not a rhetorical question, but a question out of ignorance:   There are father-son coaches in Div I, but are there any sons of top-level coaches who have earned bona fide top-level status of their own?  Coaching at this level takes total commitment and sacrifice.  If it's not what you're wired for, forget about it.  Dad can grease the wheels, but you've got to have your own fire and vision to succeed.  I can't think of any...   

[77ncaachamps]

Just a thought...This is not a rhetorical question, but a question out of ignorance:   There are father-son coaches in Div I, but are there any sons of top-level coaches who have earned bona fide top-level status of their own?  Coaching at this level takes total commitment and sacrifice.  If it's not what you're wired for, forget about it.  Dad can grease the wheels, but you've got to have your own fire and vision to succeed.  I can't think of any...   

John Thompson III?

I guess time will tell with him.

[BuzzSucksSucks]

Oh yeah, for sure.  A Final Four ('07) for JTIII pretty much undermines my little theory.  I was thinking of Pat Knight and Bennett, forgot about JTIII.

[NavinRJohnson]

Obviously only been a couple years, but the early returns for Keno Davis are pretty solid.

[Shack]

Dick still speaks fondly of Marquette and McGuire.  I know he would have loved the MU job and would have also loved if MU gave Tony a scholarship, but either way Dick seems to have more than a few special things to say about MU in the circles I travel.

Now, his son could be totally different and I'd say by his actions last year and his quick jump this year, you're probably dead on right.  He could care less about MU (even if his father thinks it's special).

UVA will be tough gig for him.  Hope it works out.

Just speculation but I think he was scared of the Big East and also the pressure at Indiana.  Sounds like at Virginia he can come in and look like the savior.  I don't think it has anything to do with his feelings about Marquette.  It's all about timing and I don't think the Big East (any school, not just MU) would have been a good fit for him in 2008-2009.  

[Blackhat]

You'd have to be a moron to turn down the state school of Indiana with all that basketball talent and weak Big Ten competition for Virginia and ACC competition.   Makes me wonder if Bennett was actually offered the IU job. 

[GGGG]

Obviously only been a couple years, but the early returns for Keno Davis are pretty solid.

It's been one year...with a senior laden team.  I would say the jury is still WAY out on that one.

[Hards Alumni]

I had no idea there were so many clairvoyants and mind readers on this board.

[4everwarriors]

Wow, that strikes close to home

[BrewCity83]

Just a thought...This is not a rhetorical question, but a question out of ignorance:   There are father-son coaches in Div I, but are there any sons of top-level coaches who have earned bona fide top-level status of their own?  Coaching at this level takes total commitment and sacrifice.  If it's not what you're wired for, forget about it.  Dad can grease the wheels, but you've got to have your own fire and vision to succeed.  I can't think of any...   

You guys forgot Joey Meyer.

[bma725]

You'd have to be a moron to turn down the state school of Indiana with all that basketball talent and weak Big Ten competition for Virginia and ACC competition.   Makes me wonder if Bennett was actually offered the IU job. 

Or an extremely loyal family man who didn't like the way the university treated one of his siblings.

[GGGG]

I don't understand the prince in waiting attitude of UW and Bennett, wasn't there some hard feelings when Bennett senior left and Soderberg wasn't hired.  I would think UW would hire the coach at UW Whitewater, D 3 experience seems to be there mantra.

UW was very unhappy with Dick Bennett and the way he left, which basically left them with no choice but to hire Soderburg.

BTW, you do realize that both DIII coaches that they hired coached at DI before UW right?

[tower912]

Bennett is an odd fit for UVA.   His style is more appropriate for the B10.   Plus, he has no history on the east coast and will always be trying to beat Duke and UNC.   But, it is his decision and I hope it works out for him.    For all of the Buzz haters, what more could he have done in the first year?   Held the team together and went toe to toe with all of the big boys despite 3 injuries that significantly impacted the development and depth of this team.  Brought in a top 20 class with possibly more to follow.    Competitive in the toughest conference in basketball despite having no one over 6'6" contribute.    He OVERACHIEVED his talent.   Could a starting lineup of Acker, Cubillan, Hazel, Fulce, and Burke have beaten UWM?   No.  There is always going to be dunderheads on chatboards, but try to look at this objectively.  Wait a couple of years and THEN start hating on him.   

[ATWizJr]

Agree totally with Tower on this one. 

Not only did he hold the class together along with all the other accomplishments, but he did it and won playing a style that may not be the style he prefers or will recruit to and play in the future.

Future seasons may or may not warrant criticism, but for this campaign, a big "thumbs up" to Buzz.

[CAINMUTINY]

When is that last time UVA had a really good team? Is it just me or is that a school where hot young coaches go to die.....Gillen & Leitao?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Bennett is an odd fit for UVA.   His style is more appropriate for the B10.   Plus, he has no history on the east coast and will always be trying to beat Duke and UNC.   But, it is his decision and I hope it works out for him.    For all of the Buzz haters, what more could he have done in the first year?   Held the team together and went toe to toe with all of the big boys despite 3 injuries that significantly impacted the development and depth of this team.  Brought in a top 20 class with possibly more to follow.    Competitive in the toughest conference in basketball despite having no one over 6'6" contribute.    He OVERACHIEVED his talent.   Could a starting lineup of Acker, Cubillan, Hazel, Fulce, and Burke have beaten UWM?   No.  There is always going to be dunderheads on chatboards, but try to look at this objectively.  Wait a couple of years and THEN start hating on him.   

I honestly don't know anyone that hates Buzz. Maybe 1%.  Most of us want him to succeed.   I don't think questioning substitution patterns, timeouts, etc means people hate him or is an indication that they wish him to fail.  Nor do I think pointing out that he inherited a top 15 team, senior laden, three time NCAA visitors a knock on Buzz....it's factual and the reality of the situaton. 

[bma725]

When is that last time UVA had a really good team? Is it just me or is that a school where hot young coaches go to die.....Gillen & Leitao?

Probably in 2006-07 when they shared the ACC Crown with UNC. 

[lab_warrior]

My 2 cents...at the time, Bennett may have been the "safe" hire, whatever BS that means.  But I am ECSTATIC we didn't hire him.  He can't recruit, and his style of play is BORING, SLOW, and would have killed us in the BE.  Hope to see everybody on this thread back here in 2-3 years when Virginia is bottoming out (if they can get any lower) and Bennett gets canned.

[GGGG]

My 2 cents...at the time, Bennett may have been the "safe" hire, whatever BS that means.  But I am ECSTATIC we didn't hire him.  He can't recruit, and his style of play is BORING, SLOW, and would have killed us in the BE.  Hope to see everybody on this thread back here in 2-3 years when Virginia is bottoming out (if they can get any lower) and Bennett gets canned.

While I would agree that his style of play is..well...methodical, he basically did the recruiting of last year's senior class that went to the Sweet 16.  That class has at least one NBA player (Kyle Weaver) if not more.  I believe he also did a lot of the recruting for some of the players that helped Wisconsin to the Elite 8 such as Devin Harris and Freddie Owens

My guess is that if you can recruit to Washington State some decent talent, that you should be able to recruit to UVa.  But we'll see...they jury's out.

[ChicosBailBonds]

My 2 cents...at the time, Bennett may have been the "safe" hire, whatever BS that means.  But I am ECSTATIC we didn't hire him.  He can't recruit, and his style of play is BORING, SLOW, and would have killed us in the BE.  Hope to see everybody on this thread back here in 2-3 years when Virginia is bottoming out (if they can get any lower) and Bennett gets canned.

Could be the case.  Though anyone that has ever been to Pullman, WA would know why it's so hard to recruit there an why it has been a graveyard for coaches for a long time.  Some good coaches have been there, but they leave before it catches up to them.

As far as boring or slow goes, just get me wins.