Rivals Radio This Morning: Bennett Reconsidering?

[LastWarrior]

okay... anybody else confirm this?  this is driving a lot of excitement on both sites and it would really suck if this was just hot air.

[NYWarrior]

okay... anybody else confirm this?  this is driving a lot of excitement on both sites and it would really suck if this was just hot air.

I'd wager that MU used the last four days to hunker down and figure out exactly what they want, who they want, why they want it ...... time to go on offense

[nyg]

I just went through every media outlet site (TV and press) in Spokane, Pullman and Seattle.  Not one mention of any of this. Only item of interest was a Spokane article on Saturday which mentioned Bennett as not signing an extension with WSU as earlier reported by the Seattle Post Intelligencer on Friday. Hope this isn't some really hot smoke screen.

[billymac3]

The Bennett's may not have liked the way the Soderberg thing went down.... but it was not enough to keep Tony off of Bo's staff the next year.....

I hope there is some juice to this rumor though....

[NYWarrior]

I just went through every media outlet site (TV and press) in Spokane, Pullman and Seattle.  Not one mention of any of this. Only item of interest was a Spokane article on Saturday which mentioned Bennett as not signing an extension with WSU as earlier reported by the Seattle Post Intelligencer on Friday. Hope this isn't some really hot smoke screen.

this is exactly what happened with Gillispie at A&M last year........agreed to an extension, then waited to sign it (with an eye on Lexington)

[Niv Berkowitz]

I'l give you that ties to the state are what could get him back. REgarding the statement of "we won't win by recruiting in Texas." That is true, but we certainly won't win by out recruiting people for the athletes (or lack there of) in Wisconsin.

As an aside, with the probably Mbakwe transfer, can we make it mandatory that we no longer recruit in Minnesota? Sincerely,

Mbakwe, R.Amoroso and D.Fitzgerald

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Crean won with a flashy style and it wasn't enough. If Bennett wins, but is boring, will that be enough? DOn't know.

If Bennett wins, people will love him because he's from WI.

People around here LOVE when locals do well. Sometimes people act like it's almost "us vs them" or "WI vs the world".

[Marquette_g]

What is wrong with Minnesota recruits?

Sincerely,
Mike Kinsella

[NavinRJohnson]

If there is any truth to this, I woudl say it is would be based more on lack of positive/enough movement on the WSU end, vs. MU increasing its offer - although probably both.

Now, the question becomes, what comments, if any has Bennett made relative to the MU job?

[Coach Norman Dale]

If he takes the job, why didn't he take the Indiana job?

I know nothing about this current speculation about Bennett and Marquette, but as for IU, let's not forget there was the issue of his sister being fired as IU's women's coach just a few years ago.  The Bennetts strike me as a close-knit, loyal family, and turning down IU [or, more accurately, saying he wasn't interested in the job] may have roots in that situation.

[Big Papi]

Update:  the statements about Bennett were made on the Tim Brando Show (on Sirius 123) by Tony Accorsi (sp?).  

Apparently Accorsi also discussed Buzz Williams at length (and in a favorable way) and had seemingly solid information on a number of other openings.  He was reporting from the final four.  Btw, I looked and it appears as though the Brando show is archived online, so it should be available to listen to later this afternoon.  

Some quick research on the Tim Brando Show has his radio show broadcasting weekdays from 3PM - 6PM, so I really have to question the validity of that content.

[lurch91]

I just went through every media outlet site (TV and press) in Spokane, Pullman and Seattle.  Not one mention of any of this. Only item of interest was a Spokane article on Saturday which mentioned Bennett as not signing an extension with WSU as earlier reported by the Seattle Post Intelligencer on Friday. Hope this isn't some really hot smoke screen.

this is exactly what happened with Gillispie at A&M last year........agreed to an extension, then waited to sign it (with an eye on Lexington)

I'm willing to bet his new contract extesion has a VERY large buy-out clause included now.  It would be interesting being in his shoes, do you take the BE/MU job this year or wait 4-5 years for your buyout to be reduced to the point where other teams could possibly afford you - and who knows what programs will have openings then.

[groove]

Update:  the statements about Bennett were made on the Tim Brando Show (on Sirius 123) by Tony Accorsi (sp?).  

Apparently Accorsi also discussed Buzz Williams at length (and in a favorable way) and had seemingly solid information on a number of other openings.  He was reporting from the final four.  Btw, I looked and it appears as though the Brando show is archived online, so it should be available to listen to later this afternoon.  

Some quick research on the Tim Brando Show has his radio show broadcasting weekdays from 3PM - 6PM, so I really have to question the validity of that content.

It is broadcast on Sirius radio 10am-1 p.m. ET

[NavinRJohnson]

Update:  the statements about Bennett were made on the Tim Brando Show (on Sirius 123) by Tony Accorsi (sp?).  

Apparently Accorsi also discussed Buzz Williams at length (and in a favorable way) and had seemingly solid information on a number of other openings.  He was reporting from the final four.  Btw, I looked and it appears as though the Brando show is archived online, so it should be available to listen to later this afternoon.  

Some quick research on the Tim Brando Show has his radio show broadcasting weekdays from 3PM - 6PM, so I really have to question the validity of that content.

10AM - 1PM EST

[MULS1999]

Actually, Brando's show is on Sirius 123 from 9 a.m. to noon every weekday.  

Follow this link for the schedule:
http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Channel&cid=1104779628652&s=sched

My doubt in the report is not whether the words of Bennett's possible change in course were said -- they were -- it's rather a matter of whatever source/information the reporter (Accorsi) was relying on when he said it.  I've never heard of the guy myself -- though he did apparently speak authoritatively about a number of positions, for whatever that's worth.

[NavinRJohnson]

I never quite understood why he wouldn't have considered MU anyway, assuming these items from a Seattle Times article on Friday are true...

Athletic director Jim Sterk confirmed through a WSU spokesman Thursday that there have been talks with Bennett about salary increases for all basketball staff members, improved air travel for both recruiting and games and continued facilities enhancements.

OK, MU's got all of that for him already.

Bennett makes $800,000 annually after his contract was revamped following the 2007 season.

OK, MU can pretty much double that.

One of his priorities is to try to have WSU, the most remote location in the Pac-10 Conference, up the ante for some charter travel.

The Cougars frequently fly out of Lewiston, 30 miles south, or Spokane, 80 miles north, and often must connect into final destinations.

Obviously no issue here.

I can understand him not wanting Indiana given the NCAA issues, the pressure to win, the irrational fan base that can be an asset as well as a liability. But, if the issues above are truly important to him, doesn't MU deliver all of it and more. As I said above, if there is anything to this, it is likely based primarily on WSU's unwillingness/inability to deliver on these things.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/cougars/2004326536_coug04.html?syndication=rss

[MarquetteDano]

Washington State averages less than sixty posessions per game... 335th in the country.  See Pomeroy link below.  That is sloooooooooow.

I like Bennett a lot, but I hope he picks up the pace if he decided to coach Marquette.

http://www.kenpom.com/stats.php

[dwaderoy2004]

IF we won every game 2-0, i'd be happy.  Give me success, that makes watching any game enjoyable...

[Avenue Commons]

If this happens, I will never say another negative word about Marquette again and I might even buy a Golden Eagles sweatshirt.

If this happens I'LL buy you a Golden Eagles sweatshirt.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Who cares about pace of play? I know one person who could give a rip about that -- Al McGuire!!

I understand that recruits are more apt to commit to an up tempo team, but I'd rather have the 3 star guys winning than 4 star guys running, dunking and losing.

Guys -- we've won one post season game in 5 years.

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

Who cares about pace of play? I know one person who could give a rip about that -- Al McGuire!!

I understand that recruits are more apt to commit to an up tempo team, but I'd rather have the 3 star guys winning than 4 star guys running, dunking and losing.

Guys -- we've won one post season game in 5 years.

Hey.....we won some NIT games. 

[The Lens]

Who cares about pace of play? I know one person who could give a rip about that -- Al McGuire!!

I understand that recruits are more apt to commit to an up tempo team, but I'd rather have the 3 star guys winning than 4 star guys running, dunking and losing.

Guys -- we've won one post season game in 5 years.

You've never been more wrong.

In 2004 we beat Toledo AND Boise State!

NIT Quarters!

[MarquetteDano]

Who cares about pace of play? I know one person who could give a rip about that -- Al McGuire!!

I understand that recruits are more apt to commit to an up tempo team, but I'd rather have the 3 star guys winning than 4 star guys running, dunking and losing.

Guys -- we've won one post season game in 5 years.

I don't hate the concept of hiring the guy, but he was nearly last in pace in all of basketball.  I am not talking about 250th,  we are talking 335th.  Hopefully, we was forced to play this style given the recruits his Dad brought in.

I hear what everyone is saying about winning.  I would surely take winning and being 335th in pace versus losing and being 10th.  But, it would be nice to have, let's say, winning and being 250th.  Is that asking for too much?

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

You've never been more wrong.

In 2004 we beat Toledo AND Boise State!

NIT Quarters!
[/quote]

Teal Please

[Big Papi]

I guess it depends on the definition of post-season.  Before we won a game in the Big East tourny it was viewed as conference tourny and than NCAA/NIT.  Than it was conference tourny and NCAA.  Now is the definition just the NCAA?  

Funny how the definition always changes to fit an agenda but I do understand your point.