2022-2023 Bearcats: A New Era

[libertybearcat]

I am thinking that Wichita State could be a serious candidate to get Ben McCollum if they have interest. That is a program that has traditionally been good & has resources available if the next coach can get it moving in the right direction. He would be the coach of the most important athletic program at WSU so not having to share any funding with football. They probably aren’t super far away from competing near the top of the AAC with the talent level they have if they hire the right coach.

Found this on CBSSports.com

Brown was interim coach in 2020-21, got Wichita State to the First Four and was given the full-time job. The past two seasons: 32-28. The Shockers finished outside the top 100 at KenPom. Former Maryland/Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon is rumored to be interested in the opening, as is Furman coach Bob Richey and potentially Houston associate head coach Kellen Sampson. Wichita State is spreading its net far and wide. This is a key hire at a crucial time for the program.

If this is accurate...pretty tough competition for Ben (if there's any interest from either or both parties)

[NWFanatic]

IF Ben moves up I could see Bennett following him.

[northwest missouri state]

he's leipold in hoops in the sense that he's won too many titles to be another kim anderson. i would do it if i were them but i bet they don't - it's a big jump to the aac.

[Alfred33]

he didn't turn the $ down, koch bros matched. rather he leveraged them into a raise.

that would be a slam dunk for ben if they were interested. & w/ griffan's recent booster club membership they're flush with cash.

Tomato, tomato... saying that in text doesn't really work. lol Anyway, it's semantics. The person I got that from was working a camp for Greg Marshall and Marshall told him it was the hardest decision he'd ever made, that Mizzou had offered him $3 million a year, but you are correct, right around that same time, he got a big bump and extension... I think he was making around 3.5 when he was fired.

I agree that would be an ideal situation for someone in Ben's position.... I guess we'll know soon enough if he's on their radar.

[ichabodhater]

I've heard that's a possibility if Ben stays, but I don't know how reliable that is. I'd also heard rumors that Stirtz could transfer regardless and would almost be assured of that if Ben would leave. Again, not claiming to have any reliable inside knowledge of either situation.... just heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend kind of thing.

All of these things happening all sound positively delightful to the rest of the MIAA & region. I was told by an acquaintance of mine from NW who claimed he had insider knowledge that Wes Dreamer has no intention of returning to Maryville either way however I also was led to believe that Diego had no intention of staying for a 5th year but we all know he did. I definitely think if Ben stays Dreamer maybe gets talked into returning. I was tremendously impressed with the Stirtz kid & he could be the best player in the league for the next 3 years if he wants to be. I think maybe he has d1 aspirations but I have nothing to support that thought with. If he wants to stay in d2 Emporia State would gladly accept him. He has familial ties to Emporia State as his dad is an ESU grad.

[northwest missouri state]

That would be a hard one to turn down if they were interested. Greg Marshall proved you could win there and Wichita State proved that they will pay good money to keep a good coach. I had some insider information that Mizzou quietly pursued him when they ended up hiring Kim Anderson... he turned down some pretty big money, but Mizzou was also a train wreck at the time. I'm sure he had other offers... he was the hottest coach on the block until he wasn't. But yes, you're right Wichita State has the resources to be competitive in every way. That'll be an interesting one to watch.

he didn't turn the $ down, koch bros matched. rather he leveraged them into a raise.

that would be a slam dunk for ben if they were interested. & w/ griffan's recent booster club membership they're flush with cash.

[Alfred33]

What are the odds that Wes uses his extra year? I think he’ll come back IF Ben stays.

I've heard that's a possibility if Ben stays, but I don't know how reliable that is. I'd also heard rumors that Stirtz could transfer regardless and would almost be assured of that if Ben would leave. Again, not claiming to have any reliable inside knowledge of either situation.... just heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend kind of thing.

[NWFanatic]

What are the odds that Wes uses his extra year? I think he’ll come back IF Ben stays.

[GrifFan]

I’ll write a check to WSU Athletics today, if that’s what it takes.

[Alfred33]

I am thinking that Wichita State could be a serious candidate to get Ben McCollum if they have interest. That is a program that has traditionally been good & has resources available if the next coach can get it moving in the right direction. He would be the coach of the most important athletic program at WSU so not having to share any funding with football. They probably aren’t super far away from competing near the top of the AAC with the talent level they have if they hire the right coach.

That would be a hard one to turn down if they were interested. Greg Marshall proved you could win there and Wichita State proved that they will pay good money to keep a good coach. I had some insider information that Mizzou quietly pursued him when they ended up hiring Kim Anderson... he turned down some pretty big money, but Mizzou was also a train wreck at the time. I'm sure he had other offers... he was the hottest coach on the block until he wasn't. But yes, you're right Wichita State has the resources to be competitive in every way. That'll be an interesting one to watch.

[ichabodhater]

I guess today marks the official start of the annual Coach McCollum watch. Will he stay or will he go? One negative thing for NW fans is that with the Cats being done earlier, jobs aren't getting filled while he's still focused on his team. Obviously, he's earned the right if he does finally make a move. If he were to leave, the watch might then turn to the transfer portal....

Just some more happy thoughts to help get us through the week Bearcats. lol

I am thinking that Wichita State could be a serious candidate to get Ben McCollum if they have interest. That is a program that has traditionally been good & has resources available if the next coach can get it moving in the right direction. He would be the coach of the most important athletic program at WSU so not having to share any funding with football. They probably aren’t super far away from competing near the top of the AAC with the talent level they have if they hire the right coach.

[Alfred33]

I guess today marks the official start of the annual Coach McCollum watch. Will he stay or will he go? One negative thing for NW fans is that with the Cats being done earlier, jobs aren't getting filled while he's still focused on his team. Obviously, he's earned the right if he does finally make a move. If he were to leave, the watch might then turn to the transfer portal....

Just some more happy thoughts to help get us through the week Bearcats. lol

[mosofan1]

Warning: This Diego Benard appreciation post will be long. It wasn't the fairy tale ending we were hoping for, but man, what that kid gave us over the last 5 years will never be matched. I mean when will we have another player start for the Bearcats for 5 years? Given the circumstances, hopefully, never. Here is some year by year accomplishment reflection:
.

2018-2019	MIAA All Conference Honorable Mention
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	National Champions
	38-0
2019-2020	MIAA All Conference 3rd Team
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	COVID Cancelled
	31-1
2020-2021	MIAA All Conference 2nd Team
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Defensive Player of the Year
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	National Champions
	28-2
2021-2022	MIAA All Conference 2nd Team
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	National Champions
	34-5
2022-2023	Central Region D2CCA POY
	MIAA All Conference 1st Team
	MIAA Conference Player of the Year
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Defensive Player of the Year
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	31-3

.
I didn't take out games won or lost when he didn't play as I'm sure there were a few. I know they lost to Emporia this year when he was out. but there's probably a couple on the other side too. The kid didn't miss many even with the energy and violence (as Mac likes to say) that he plays with, which is a testament to his competitiveness and "want to". During Diego's time at Northwest, the Bearcats were 162-11. 162-11! They were also an astounding 32-2 in post season play... the only other loss coming on a 55 foot buzzer beater in the MIAA tournament. He and his family have been great additions to the Bearcat family and will be missed obviously for the basketball, but they're really good people too. Unlikely, he'll ever read this, but thank you Diego for all of it.

As the fan of an opposing team, I have great respect for Diego. He is the most athletic player I've ever seen and creates havoc unlike any other. You can see the effort he puts forth and the joy he has playing. He has been the heart and soul of NW and their emotional leader. I have enjoyed watching him play (even as he led NW to victory over us). He is the type of player that makes D2 basketball so great. All that being said, I am glad he is finally done playing for NW. Great respect from this MOSO fan!

[Alfred33]

Warning: This Diego Benard appreciation post will be long. It wasn't the fairy tale ending we were hoping for, but man, what that kid gave us over the last 5 years will never be matched. I mean when will we have another player start for the Bearcats for 5 years? Given the circumstances, hopefully, never. Here is some year by year accomplishment reflection:
.

2018-2019	MIAA All Conference Honorable Mention
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	National Champions
	38-0
2019-2020	MIAA All Conference 3rd Team
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	COVID Cancelled
	31-1
2020-2021	MIAA All Conference 2nd Team
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Defensive Player of the Year
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	National Champions
	28-2
2021-2022	MIAA All Conference 2nd Team
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	National Champions
	34-5
2022-2023	Central Region D2CCA POY
	MIAA All Conference 1st Team
	MIAA Conference Player of the Year
	MIAA All Defensive Team
	MIAA Defensive Player of the Year
	MIAA Champions
	MIAA Tournament Champions
	31-3

.
I didn't take out games won or lost when he didn't play as I'm sure there were a few. I know they lost to Emporia this year when he was out. but there's probably a couple on the other side too. The kid didn't miss many even with the energy and violence (as Mac likes to say) that he plays with, which is a testament to his competitiveness and "want to". During Diego's time at Northwest, the Bearcats were 162-11. 162-11! They were also an astounding 32-2 in post season play... the only other loss coming on a 55 foot buzzer beater in the MIAA tournament. He and his family have been great additions to the Bearcat family and will be missed obviously for the basketball, but they're really good people too. Unlikely, he'll ever read this, but thank you Diego for all of it.

[NWFanatic]

More hardware for Diego….he’s the ‘22-‘23 Central Region D2CCA POY!
Congrats to DB and to Ben too as 1 of his players had now won this 6 yrs in a row!