Another Look at Marcus Bennett

Marcus Bennett, a 6-2, 180 pound combo guard from Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich., gave an oral commitment to Charlotte this week.

Rivalshoops.com caught up with Schoolcraft Head Coach Carlos Briggs on Thursday morning, and he filled us in on Bennett's situation.

Bennett was actually recruited to the University of Michigan in the spring of 2001, gaining notoriety as being the first recruit of the Tommy Amaker era in Ann Arbor. However, last fall, he didn't get through the NCAA Clearinghouse, and withdrew from classes at Michigan, according to Briggs.

Last January, Bennett enrolled at Schoolcraft for classes. If he can earn his degree by the summer of 2003, he will have three years to play at Charlotte. He is using his first year of athletic eligibility this season at Schoolcraft.

"It's a win-win situation for both sides, for the simple fact that in Marcus, they are getting a mature guy for his age that's already been at the D-I level." Briggs said. "He's a good shooter who really understands the game, and he can play two positions."

Bennett picked Charlotte after being recruited this summer and fall by UAB, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kent State. He officially visited the Conference USA program from Sept. 6-8.

Briggs credited the 49er coaching staff for their efforts in landing Bennett this fall.

"Marcus is going to a good program, and Bobby [Lutz] is a heck of a coach who does a great job in getting his team to the NCAA Tournament and winning 20 games a year," he said. "When you watch Charlotte play, they play so well together, and Marcus comes from a winning program at Renaissance H.S., and hopefully he'll win here at Schoolcraft, and then go into a winning program there."

"It says something for their program down there," Briggs continued. "Bobby has a lot of class and is a good person, and that's who you want your kids to be with -- good people."

Rivalshoops.com hopes to catch Schoolcraft in action during the winter. Briggs has led the Ocelots to back to back appearances at the NJCAA Tournament, including a third place finish at the 2002 rendition.

With Bennett and several other talented newcomers, Schoolcraft could be poised to make its third straight appearance at Hutch.