It was all Cougars fans wanted to talk about after their team lost to North Carolina in the NCAA East Regional semifinal.
Would coach Tony Bennett be back?
"Right now, I'm coach at Washington State," he said after the 68-47 loss to the Tar Heels.
Bennett, 38, elevated the Cougars to new levels after taking the reins from his father, Dick, prior to the 2006-07 season.
WSU reached the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time and won twice in the event for the first time since reaching the Final Four in 1941.
Led by seniors Derrick Low, Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill, the Cougars went 26-9 this season, 52-17 the past two years.
The two seasons before that, they were 23-33.
And now Low, Weaver and Cowgill are departing.
But what of Bennett?
Within hours of WSU's exit from the NCAAs, Bennett was rumored to be headed to Indiana. Then word was Cal wanted him to replace Ben Braun, who was fired earlier in the week.
Bennett reportedly pulled out of consideration for the Indiana job before the Final Four.
"I'm confident he's coming back and hopeful he's coming back," said junior guard Taylor Rochestie.
But until the matter is settled once and for all, WSU fans won't sleep easily.
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Hey guys, I'm trying to set up a sim league starting next season, where a simulator plays out the game and gives you realistic scores and stuff, and your Cougers are still available! If you are interested or have any questions feel free to e-mail me at dosegorillaz@aim.com.
I just wanted to congratulate you on an amazing season! I had you guys going deeper into the tournament then what you got but still, your team really was fun to watch. Good luck in the off season with recruits and things!
How much better do you guys think the Cougs would be this year if they still had him? The guy averaged 20 points per game this year for Cal State Fullerton, including 39% from beyond the arc and 90% from the line, and put up 31 points against Sweet 16 bound Wisconsin. I know that another shooter is probably the last thing the Cougars need, but imagine him coming off the
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I am relieved Bennett turned down the Indiana job. Turns out, they were offering a 2.5 million a year deal. Wow!. What kind of man turns that down? Someone with a lot of honor.
I feel pretty excited knowing he's willing to turn that kind of money down, at that kind of basketball school. Makes you think he might just be in for the long haul. Is Tony Bennett the next Lute Olsen?
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i think the wsu coach is the best coach that we could have right now becuase he knows the players and he knows how to handle them but he also respects them and there space but he makes them work very hard in practices and in games
Last year, the Cougs got knocked out early. But it was their first taste of the NCAA Tourney and I think that plays a big role in March. This year, they are playing like the senior-laden team that they are. They are a year older and a year wiser. They have tourney experience and it's shining through so far this year. Oh, and their coach isn't too bad, either.&
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