Johnson & Wales University Providence

Under the direction of head coach Jamie Benton, the Johnson & Wales University men’s basketball team has reached new heights. Going into his 23rd season in 2022-23, Benton is still pushing his Wildcats to be a yearly fixture in the national conversation.

While the Wildcats couldn't repeat as GNAC Champions in 2018-19, it was still a memorable season. Junior Brian Hogan-Gary became just the third player in conference history to earn both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year on his way to All-Region honors. In addition, Matt Madoian became the third Wildcat to sign a professional basketball contract in Europe.

The 2017-18 campaign started as a rebuilding year with only four returning letterwinners. JWU found its stride in mid-January and won 12 of 13 games, including an 84-80 upset of Albertus Magnus in the GNAC Championship game. The trip to the NCAA Tournament was the third under Benton and the second in the last three years. 

The 2015-16 season was a remarkable run for the Wildcats as the team reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. Johnson & Wales defeated Albertus Magnus to win the second GNAC Championship of Benton’s tenure then beat Trinity and Fitchburg State in the NCAA Tournament.

After losing the season opener, Johnson & Wales rattled off a school-record 21-game winning streak. The Wildcats entered the national poll for the first time in program lore and climbed to as high as No. 12.

As expected, Benton was recognized by his peers with several coaching honors. He was named GNAC, NABC Northeast Region and ECAC New England Region Coach of the Year.

Every year since 2010, the Wildcats have been a contender for the GNAC Championship. Benton’s 2010-11 squad captured the conference title and became the first program in JWU history to win an NCAA Tournament game. Johnson & Wales defeated Ramapo, 114-106, in the first round of the tournament.

Following a loss in the 2014 conference championship game, the Wildcats went on to win the ECAC title. Johnson & Wales beat Endicott in the semifinals before taking down GNAC foe Lasell for the championship.

Under Benton’s tutelage, numerous student-athletes have earned conference, regional and national awards. Lamonte Thomas – who ranks fourth in NCAA history with 2,740 points – was a two-time All-American and back-to-back GNAC Player of the Year in 2011 & 2012. In 2015-16, Quarry Greenaway was the NCAA active leader in career points on his way to earning Third-Team All-America honors and GNAC Player of the Year.

Prior to taking over as head coach of the Wildcats, Benton served as an assistant for four seasons. He was on the 2004 staff when JWU won its first GNAC title.

Benton was a standout player during his collegiate career at Boston College. He averaged 12.4 ppg. as a senior in 1987-88 during the Eagle’s NIT run and was a freshman on the 1985 team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. When he finished his career, he was BC’s all-time leader in free throw percentage at 84.6 percent. That record stood for 15 years. Benton played professionally after his tenure at BC ended.

Benton was a Rhode Island high school standout at LaSalle Academy. He was inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame in 2013.

Jamie Benton Career Record