Bye Bye Bennett

[catfan28]

At least, the Mercury seems to think so......

http://www.themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=3eaea96bd6c44029914b23e2454fa17a

Bennett 'looking at his options'
Mark Janssen [email protected]
The tallest player in Kansas State history will likely not be a Wildcat in 2007-08.

Jason Bennett, a 7-foot-3 product from Jacksonville's Arlington Country Day High School in Florida, told The Manhattan Mercury Monday afternoon that he is "looking at his options."

For now, Bennett said he was going to focus on his schoolwork, but that he was "... in discussion with my parents on going back closer to home."
Asked whether there was more than a 50-50 chance he would not return to KSU for his sophomore season, Bennett said, "Probably. I've had fun at K-State. I love the fans, but I just don't want to play here."

Bennett said his parents — Harley and Darlene — always wanted him to attend the University of Florida, but he would also consider other schools in his home state, plus Georgia. This past year, the Bennetts moved from their home in Jacksonville and took up residency in Topeka, so they could watch all of their son's home games in Bramlage Coliseum.

Bennett, who started nine games and played in 27, averaged 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Bennett also blocked 50 shots to rank 10th high in KSU history and second high for a single season only behind Gerald Eaker's 56 in 1995-96. His eight blocks against Chicago State was a single game record.

Newly named head coach Frank Martin said he would not comment on Bennett's possible move until he conducted one-on-one meetings with each player during the next couple days.

[TheShocker]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[KSUBrad]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Not exactly sure it warrants that reaction.

[konofo]

I'm struggling to decide whether the fact that a freshman who played 341 minutes had the 10th most career blocks in the history of our program says more about the freshman or the history of our program.

kono

[pissclams]

I'm struggling to decide whether the fact that a freshman who played 341 minutes had the 10th most career blocks in the history of our program says more about the freshman or the history of our program.

kono

It's simple.

[cireksu]

I think he'll be solid for someone as a senior.

[TheShocker]

Not exactly sure it warrants that reaction.

You seriously underestimate the awesomeness that is Jason Bennett. I'm going to be &@#%ing heart-broken if he leaves.

[Chet Stedman]

Bennett said his parents — Harley and Darlene — always wanted him to attend the University of Florida, but he would also consider other schools in his home state, plus Georgia. This past year, the Bennetts moved from their home in Jacksonville and took up residency in Topeka, so they could watch all of their son's home games in Bramlage Coliseum.

It is nice of JB to consider other options besides the two time defending champs. 

[KSUBrad]

Not exactly sure it warrants that reaction.

You seriously underestimate the awesomeness that is Jason Bennett. I'm going to be &*$@!ing heart-broken if he leaves.

I seriously underestimated it for Paul Wight when he played for WSU too.  Or should I say...THE BIG SHOW!!!  

[TheShocker]

Not exactly sure it warrants that reaction.

You seriously underestimate the awesomeness that is Jason Bennett. I'm going to be &*$@!ing heart-broken if he leaves.

I seriously underestimated it for Paul Wight when he played for WSU too.  Or should I say...THE BIG SHOW!!! 

You don't know anything.

[WildWillie21]

There definitely needs to be a JB tribute vid.

[BooyahKU]

Bennett - check!

[lynchmb1029]

"Bennett considers staying

Rex Morgan, the former high school coach of Jason Bennett at Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla., said by phone Saturday that Jason would spend some time in the coming weeks thinking about his future at K-State.

With Huggins leaving to take over as coach at West Virginia, Bennett, who has expressed homesickness throughout the year, was believed to be leaning toward transferring.

Not so fast, said teammate David Hoskins.

"Jason will be fine," Hoskins said. "I talked to Jason, and I think he'll be back. He's up in the air, but he probably doesn't know which way to be. He's just kind of out there."

Hoskins said other underclassmen have been mulling over their futures since Huggins left, but did not specify which players.

"A couple of them are still up in the air, and they have the right to be, because they're young and freshmen and don't really know what to do right now," Hoskins said. "As a captain, it's not my job to tell them what to do, but just tell them their options. I feel like their best option is to stay here and win some championships with us."

http://media.www.kstatecollegian.com/media/storage/paper1022/news/2007/04/10/Sports/Chance.Of.A.Lifetime-2832075.shtml

[sys]

i bet hoskins turns into a decent coach after he finishes playing.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

he was the tallest cheerleader in NCAA history.....enough said.

[WavetheWheat]

Patz told us all not to worry.  It will be okay!

Seriously though....Please don't go Jason.  I am not sure that any player in history has done more to resurrect the K-State/Kansas rivalry than you have in your short time in Manhattan.  You can't go home to Florida with your tail between your legs just because Sasha kicked your ass 3 times.  Come back get stronger and try to beat him next year.

[AzCat]

Hoskins said other underclassmen have been mulling over their futures since Huggins left, but did not specify which players.

"A couple of them are still up in the air, and they have the right to be, because they're young and freshmen and don't really know what to do right now," Hoskins said. "As a captain, it's not my job to tell them what to do, but just tell them their options. I feel like their best option is to stay here and win some championships with us."

In addition to Bennett that would be Merriewether (walk-on), Walker (says he's staying), and Colon.  I look for Merriewether to head elsewhere, he was in line to play for pretty much any Ive League school he chose so there's little reason to stick around at KSU given that he was only here to play for The Scumbag.  Yearby and Kent are the only other underclassmen but it'd probably be tough to scare up even a couple more decent players at this late date so we don't really gain much if they leave, just a couple more open spots for next year's class. 

[doom]

I would be sad if Colon goes, Kent too.  They would give solid bench minutes next year.  Yearby wasn't much.  Would Merrieweather be much good if he stayed?  I'd almost rather keep him than find alternatives this late.