Okay, the Cougs had a nice run the past couple years but tough times loom ahead. Bennett will need to use all his charm and charisma to stay atop the Pac-10. It is not going to be easy.
Next year the WSU basketball team will lose seniors Kyle Weaver, Derrick Low and Robbie Cowgill. These three were the basis for the success that Washington State has had the past two years. These three players will be missed so much I expect WSU to drop out of the top half of the Pac-10. They will become an average team in an above average conference, not a good mix. Weaver will be missed the most as the Coug's defensive stopper. Bennett will have to adjust his "Pack Line" defense because of this. Weaver made it difficult for opposing gaurds to score because of his length, athleticism and quickness. He shut people down. Without him the Coug's will need to play more zone because they will not be able to check people like they use to.
Low will also be missed as the offensive playmaker that was the only real threat from the 3 point line. You need to be able to stroke the 3 down the stretch and without Low the Coug's will have to rely on other unproven "crunchtime" players. Low was the offensive key, Weaver the defensive key and Cowgill was the "X" factor that gave the Coug's a lift whenever needed. He would hit a tough shot or get a tough rebound...who is going to step up and take that role?
Bennett will need to rely on freshmen more than he has had to in the past. He will have to recruit better than he has in the past and he will have to coach better even better than he has in the past. Bennett should have taken the opportunity and jumped ship. He should have followed his WSU predecessor Kelvin Sampson and went to test the water in the recruiting haven of Indiana.
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