I've said it before and I'll say it again: Tony Bennett isn't going anywhere (now we have his words to pretty much back that up). He's not pursuing Indiana...even after "exploratory conversations" (he did say he thought about going for the gig though). And, as expected (read my last blog: True or False? Tony Bennett Rumors), Bennett will not go for a different job within the Pac-10, including the California post.

NOTE: Some people in the media are IDIOTS. Even though Tony said he wasn't going to move within the conference, a writer from the San Jose Mercury News is convinced California is still coveting Bennett. Dumb.

We're not out of the woods just yet. A lot of people say Bennett is up for the LSU job. Tony's wife is from Baton Rouge (attended LSU) and apparently her folks still live there. Plus, Louisiana State is a football school, so the media attention (for much of the year) would be on Les Miles (Tony isn't a huge fan of doing interviews). Again...I don't see Bennett going anywhere.

I was talking to Kirk Earlywine (Eastern head coach) the other day and he reminded me that there's a huge coaching convention the week of the Final Four (every coach gets tickets to the games, etc.). That's where Bennett was headed last year when they announced his contract extension (so he wouldn't be bothered with questions about other jobs that week). He'll probably (more like...he will) get questions this year, because if anything is going to happen ("exploratory conversations" included) it will likely happen there.

My final thoughts on Bennett before I move on...I think (I have no facts to back this up) Taylor Rochestie unintentionally tied Tony's hands. If you haven't heard the story (I'll keep it quick), here it is: Rochestie gave up his scholarship next year so Washington State could sign another recruit (a guy who wouldn't have come to WSU without a scholarship). Taylor is so committed to the program (especially its future) that he's paying his own way next season. How can Bennett leave when players are making sacrifices like that? He can't...

On to the Pac-10...let the exodus begin. Brook and Robin Lopez are the first two conference stars to declare for the NBA draft (good news for everyone except Stanford fans). We'll see who goes next...Kevin Love? Jerryd Bayless? OJ Mayo (I'm still not convinced he's staying)?

Finally, this could be the best Final Four in a long time. All four No. 1 seeds...it doesn't get much better than that. From the start, I pegged North Carolina to play UCLA in the championship (the Bruins to win the whole thing). Now that I've seen UNC in person...I've changed my mind. I think the Tar Heels take it.

P.S. Kim-Spokane...thanks for posting one of the funniest comments yet. I loved your thoughts on the Mariners, especially about Bedard (I laughed out loud)...he's easily one of the worst interviews ever.

P.S.S. Speaking of baseball...the Cougs have run into some tough times. They are now 16-10 (they started 13-4) after a loss to Santa Clara last night (they're only 2-4 in the Pac-10...hands down the toughest conference in baseball). I talked to a guy with WSU athletics in Denver about the baseball team...he says the players and coaches truly believe they have a shot at the postseason. They'll have to play a little better for that to happen, but it is a possibility.

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