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The question has to be asked because that's what this season has amounted to. The Bennett's re-established our program and gave us an identity. It was an awesome ride and we owe them a lot. It was also clear that it was going to end between us….and end pretty quickly. In hindsight, the question wasn't whether TB was going to leave Pullman but rather when he would try to time the jump.
Last Fall, Bennett decided to make the jump to UVA and WSU was back to searching for a coach. Along comes a guy that has deep Northwest ties and a record of putting together quality recruiting classes and a style of play that kids love. He's not the charmer that TB was and he's not the youthful up and comer either. He's just a damn good basketball coach that can game plan and work deep NW ties to land local recruits. At this point, the story can go two ways. Either he's Kevin Eastman and we sink back to the depths of the Pac-10….or he's something more.....
Hit the read more button.
Tony was trying to time his jump. The overwhelming odds were that he was going to make the jump at Klay's Junior year. That would have given him time to show that he can build his own set of players and win. But last year spooked him. He got nervous about that Junior year being successful. He got worried about job offers drying up. He had a crisis of confidence at the perfect time for The University of Virginia.
He might have had a crisis of confidence at the exact perfect time for WSU as well. In exchange for Tony leaving we picked up a new Head Coach at half the price. We also picked up a recruit by the name of Reggie Moore. He might be the freshmen of the year in the Pac-10 and by next year he's probably going to be the best point guard in the Pac-10. He might be the best right now. Reggie Moore is in Pullman because Ken Bone is in Pullman.
In exchange for two years of Tony Bennett we get four years of Reggie Moore and at least four years of Ken Bone.
So, here's my question to WSU fans. With hindsight being perfect….what would you prefer? If you were the GM of a mythical college basketball league….would you trade Tony Bennett for Ken Bone and Reggie Moore?
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You always want someone who wants the job. Ken Bone wants the job and he is by all accounts a good coach. He can evaluate talent and has already shown the ability to bring quality players to WSU. Moore might end up the best point guard to ever play at WSU.
I don't see Bone as another Eastman although it is somewhat strange that Eastman's best recruit might have been his first in Antrum. Hopefully Bone doesn't follow suit. The JC guard (Aden) he brought in looks pretty good and Bone is able to communicate players much better than Eastman probably ever dreamed of doing.
You always want someone who wants the job. Ken Bone wants the job and he is by all accounts a good coach. He can evaluate talent and has already shown the ability to bring quality players to WSU. Moore might end up the best point guard to ever play at WSU.
I don't see Bone as another Eastman although it is somewhat strange that Eastman's best recruit might have been his first in Antrum. Hopefully Bone doesn't follow suit. The JC guard (Aden) he brought in looks pretty good and Bone is able to communicate players much better than Eastman probably ever dreamed of doing.
Also, Reggie Moore said all the kids in Seattle didn't want to go to WSU to walk the ball up the floor under the Bennetts. Tony did his job, now it's time to move on. You simply must have a coach who wants to actually coach at your school ... for another example, see Mike Price's horrific coaching in his last Rose Bowl. Jermaine Green -- 6 carries. No game plan, no effort.
“This edition of the Dawg Pack Dirt features several names of players’ girlfriends. This serves as a friendly reminder that yelling something along the lines of: “Hey (player), I saw your (girlfriend’s name) last night!” really never gets old. It’s just a funny and creepy way to get into a player’s head like nothing else can.
We’ve also got phone numbers for four players, including standouts Reggie Moore and DeAngelo Casto, so waste no time in blowing up their phones.”
http://seattlesportsnet.com/2010/01/29/dawg-pack-dirt-washington-state-university-2/#more-4161