Throughtful Reader

 Tony Bennett has been coach of the University of Virginia Men’s Basketball team since 2009. His hire at the time was viewed as an upgrade. His arrival was the hope the Virgina fans needed. His predecessors Jeff Jones (who led UVA to the elite 8 in 94), Pete Gillian (mediocre at best), and Dave Leitao (Had no real business being there). With Bennett’s arrival, there was renewed interest if he could lead Virginia back to its 80’s and early 90’s success.

 It seemed to start out that way. He brought his system from Washington State with him. His Defense known as a “pack line” and his motion offense were questionable while at Washington St, but Virginia was up for the fresh change. The Cavaliers would initially struggle. Going

2009 15-16

2010 16-15

2011 22-10 (Eliminated in the first round of the NCAA)

 Virgina would improve and reassert itself in the upper echelon of the ACC. The team would win 30+ games 3 times in the 2010s decade (2014, 2018, and 2019 where they won the NCAA title). It seemed that UVA was finally putting together a long-term successful program, but the reality is clear that some of his success was the stars were aligned properly. I say that not to tear down their accomplishments, but to acknowledge that the teams weren’t very stacked. A couple of noted players who did go to the NBA, such as Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, Klay Thompson, and Deandre Hunter to name a few. However, it seems with some of those examples that I have provided and accomplishing a championship win, it seems that Bennett can’t adjust or build on that. His recruitments have clearly shown that he is more focused on his system and not on who has more to offer to the team.

 While I commend him for building his past success in UVA, I do now take concern on his ability to win in the present and the future. Though his teams have been in the top 5 in defense, his offenses have been well let’s just say trash.

 Between 2020-2024 the UVA Cavaliers have been

While consistent, the success has been “satisfactory” at best. When the Cavaliers won 35 games in 2019, the team’s stats were.

 The Defense was there when UVA needed it, but the offense clearly isn’t backing it up. My complaint with him is that his history of recruiting the last few years has been well below par. The team has some decent players but players that realistically wouldn’t start on many Division 1 teams playing in the bracket this year. It’s very clear that Bennett in my opinion has become a victim of his own success.

Most College coaches who win and maintain it have shown the ability to adapt to the changes around them. With Bennett I see a massive issue with complacency. As I am watching Colorado State (a team from the Mountain West Conference) Pound Virginia into the ground I am even more certain of it. For Bennett to survive, he needs to adapt his recruiting abilities. He is willing to sacrifice offensive talent to maintain the status quo defense. He needs to find a balance, and that means actually recruiting some offensive talent to compliment his defense. With the way College teams are performing today, Bennett needs more offense, (especially when you are playing in one of the powerhouse conferences of the ACC).

To put it simply I have three words for Coach Bennett. Adapt or quit.