Report: Bennett Is Set to Retire

Washington State Coach Dick Bennett will announce his retirement at a news conference today, the Spokesman-Review of Spokane reported.

Bennett, who has a 36-46 record with the Cougars and 490-303 record overall, will be replaced by his son Tony, an associate coach and the team’s primary recruiter.

Washington State is 11-14, 4-12 in the Pacific 10 Conference, with two games remaining.

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An MRI exam Monday revealed Villanova’s Allan Ray has only a mild sprain in his left knee, making Ray questionable for Wednesday’s senior-night home finale against St. John’s. He is listed as day to day.

“This is the best news we possibly could have gotten,” Coach Jay Wright said.

Ray left Sunday’s loss at Connecticut with just under three minutes to play, was taken to the locker room and returned with his knee wrapped in ice.

Ray, who scored 19 points in the 89-75 loss to the Huskies, walked out of Gampel Pavilion with a wrap on his knee. He spent the night worrying about his health and whether he would lose a chance at playing in the NCAA tournament.

“I was kind of nervous,” Ray said. “I just wanted to hear good news.”

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The Big Sky Conference suspended Portland State center Scott Morrison for one game for throwing a punch after his team’s 93-92 overtime win Saturday over Montana. If Portland State qualifies for the conference tournament, Morrison will have to sit out that game.

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Weber State Coach Joe Cravens was fired after two consecutive losing seasons, the school said.... Northern Colorado Coach Craig Rasmuson resigned and took a job as a fundraiser for the school.

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Occidental received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III men’s tournament and will play host to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first round Thursday at 7 p.m.