2012-13 Men's Basketball
TransouthPct.OverallPctStreakHomeAwayNeutral
5-5.50018-14.563Lost 15-49-94-1
Winston Bennett
Head Coach
6th Season
 
 
     Mid-Continent University men's basketball coach Winston Bennett begins his sixth season on the Mid-Continent bench, after being tabbed to lead the program in May of 2007.  He also is a popular motivational speaker in Kentucky and surrounding states.
 
   In his previous five years as the MCU head coach, Bennett has led the Cougars to a 73-89 record. During that span, Bennett's Cougars have also claimed an NCCAA Mid-east Regional title (2010), and a third place finish at the NCCAA National Tournament (2010), while appearing in one TranSouth Athletic Conference Tournament Championship Game (2012). Including three seasons as head coach at Kentucky State (2000-03; 44-43), Bennett now has a career record of 117-132.
 
    Bennett came from Louisville's Male High School in 1984, and moved on to the University of Kentucky, where he played four seasons (1984-88) for legendary coaches Joe B. Hall and Eddie Sutton.  Bennett was a member of the Wildcats' Final Four squad in 1984.  In 133 games, he averaged 10.5 points and ranks 20th in UK history with 1,399 points and averaged 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior in 1987-88.  He still ranks fifth in career free throws made with 368 and seventh in career free throw attempts with 516. The Wildcats won 93 and lost 33 during his playing career, and won 69 and lost just 7 during his two seasons as an assistant coach.
 
     Bennett was drafted in the third round (64th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA and played for three seasons for the winningest coach in NBA history, Lenny Wilkens. He averaged 4.8 points in 134 games for the Cavs from 1989-92, and averaged 10.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 5 playoff starts in the 1989-90 season. He later joined the Miami Heat for 2 games in 1991-92. In 136 career NBA games, including 92 starts, he averaged 4.8 points and 3 rebounds per game.
 
     Coach Bennett began his coaching career as an assistant at his collegiate alma mater in 1995, under Rick Pitino, one of the most successful collegiate coaches in history.  While coaching with Pitino, the Wildcats won the 1996 NCAA Championship and were runners up in 1997.  After the 1996-97 season, Bennett followed Coach Pitino to the NBA as an assistant for the Boston Celtics.
 
     In 2000, Bennett received his first college head coaching opportunity when he was hired by Kentucky State University and immediately led the Thorobreds to the 2000-2001 SIAC championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II South Regional.  KSU posted a 17-13 record in his first season and then went 14-14 in 2001-02 and 13-16 in 2002-03.
 
     He has been married to Peggy Bennett since 1990, and they have a son, Leontay, and three daughters, Princess, Jasmine, and Stephanie, and a granddaughter. The Bennett family resides in Paducah, Kentucky.
 
 
Roster
#NameCl.Pos.Ht.Wt.HometownPrevious School
 Victor Reid*FRC6-8290Jamaica
 Justin WrightJRF6-6205Chester, Pa.
2Nick HopperFRG6-1160Hopkinsville, Ky.
4Najel FlowersFRF6-5180Cartersville, Ga.
5Larry Thompkins IIJRPG6-2195Fontana, Calif.
11Marcus JohnsonSRPG5-11185St. Louis, Mo.
13Reggie ElkinsJRG5-9185Brighton, Tenn.
15Gavin ScottJRF6-6190Brookyln, N.Y.
20Marlon DotsonSRG6-2190Milan, Tenn.
21Lee AmesJRG6-5195Phoenix, Ariz.
22Garrett RiceJRG6-0165Bloomfield, Mo.
23Joe GilmoreJRG6-1170East St. Louis, Ill.
25Antonio DavisSRG6-3230Morganfield, Ky.
32Ryan RandolphSOF6-4190Franklin, Ky.
33Charles PedenSRG6-3210Chicago, Ill.
34Lucas BradshawFRC6-9250Campbellsville, Ky.
42Ryan BrightwellFRG/F6-5215Lexington, Ky.
* Redshirt
Winston Bennett - Head Coach - 6th season
Howard Dillard - Assistant Coach - 5th season
Adam Parrott - Assistant Coach - 1st season