Archive for January, 2010
Team of the Week
Jan 19th
Written before yesterday’s near-catastrophe, clearly, but nice to see that ESPN’s Andy Katz has named Virginia the national “team of the week” for last week:
There’s no way I thought UVa would nab this honor in mid-January.
I knew coach Tony Bennett could take a collection of players, mold them into his style and maximize the talent. But he’s clearly exceeding the expectations for this squad.
Virginia was projected to finish with NC State at the bottom of the ACC. Three games into conference play, the Cavaliers are the only undefeated team in the league and looking as confident as any other squad in the conference.
Virginia isn’t just squeezing out wins, either. This past week Virginia beat Georgia Tech after the Yellow Jackets had beaten Duke. Georgia Tech then went on the road and beat North Carolina. Clearly, the Yellow Jackets are one of the most talented teams in the ACC. So taking out Georgia Tech, keeping the Yellow Jackets off the free-throw line (3-of-11) and playing an unselfish game was no fluke.
Virginia is getting balanced scoring from Sylven Landesberg, Mike Scott, Sammy Zeglinski and Mustapha Farrakhan. But it’s the defense down the stretch that is winning games.
In the win over Miami, Virginia blitzed the Hurricanes with a 33-21 halftime lead and never looked back.
That means the Cavaliers have won three games against teams that were ranked in the AP poll at one point (UAB, Georgia Tech and Miami).
Virginia is still fragile. The Cavs could easily lose to anyone remaining on their schedule. But if the home court continues to be a staple for them, then it’s not unrealistic to think they can win at least six more ACC games. If they do, the Cavs would be 9-7 in conference play and right there to get an NCAA berth. That in itself was unthinkable two months ago, a credit to Bennett and to the players who believed in him like the ones who did at Washington State. The Bennett hire was questioned, only because he came from out of the region. It was never an issue about his coaching.
I really anxious to see how UVa plays this weekend against Wake. It’ll be an interesting litmus test of where this team stands right now.
Some pub for Tony Bennett
Jan 18th
John Feinstein is pretty much unreadable when he isn’t writing about golf, and he’s a Dukie, so you pretty much have to disregard anything he says. Give the devil his due, though: his recent profile of Tony Bennett for the WaPo is a decent, if shallow, read.
The Tony Bennett Effect
Jan 18th
So I’m watching the ESPNU broadcast of Virginia’s win over Miami, and they posted the most amazing stat. Want the clearest example you can imagine of the effect Tony Bennett has had on this program: Check out the following statistics:
–Turnovers. Last year, UVa ranked 242nd in the nation in number of turnovers. This year: 3rd in the nation.
–Assist/Turnover Ratio. Last year: 245th. This year: 15th.
–3-Point FG%. Last year: 242nd. This year: 7th.
–Points Allowed. Last year: 294th. This year: 23rd.
Those numbers are simply astounding. Mind-blowing.
This team has already accomplished more than anyone could have hoped, and I won’t be disappointed no matter what happens the rest of the way. At this point, however, I must say it:
Tony Bennett is a miracle worker.
Are you kidding me?
Jan 16th
What is going on?
Virginia stands atop the ACC at 3-0, the only undefeated team in the conference after a 75-57 dismantling of Miami tonight. The reason why: defense. No one familiar with Tony Bennett is surprised that his team has improved defensively with each game.
Unfortunately, I’m out of town and didn’t get to see tonight’s game. It is on the DVR, though; can’t wait to get home and watch it tomorrow. It has been a while since UVa hoops was must-see TV.
I like it.
Good luck, Derek Dooley
Jan 16th
Down here in southwest Virginia, I’m forced to listen to blather from both Virginia Tech fans and University of Tennessee fans. Therefore, I’m looking forward to making sure all the Vol fans know that their new coach, Derek Dooley, is a Wahoo.
I wish Dooley the best of luck; he’s stepping into a big job, and I just hope he’s ready for it. I admit that I didn’t consider him one of the top candidates for our job when it was open (I’ve been a Mike London fan since day one). Seemed like he needed a little more experience before taking a high-major job.
Tennessee didn’t agree, and I hope they’re right. Then, when they’re winning big, I can look at all the UT bandwagon homers around here and remind them that they had to look to UVa to bail their football program out. That’ll be sweet. 
Break up the Hoos!
Jan 13th
Six straight wins? Two wins, no losses in ACC competition? What’s going on with Tony Bennett’s Cavs?
Sylven Landesberg scored 22 points and Virginia used a 16-4 run late in the second half to surge past Georgia Tech (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) 82-75 on Wednesday night.
Virginia (10-4, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) won its sixth straight game, its longest winning streak since it won seven in a row in the 2006-07 season, and opened ACC play 2-0 for the first time since 1994-95, when the Cavaliers won their first four conference games.
That’s right; this is the first time the Hoos started 2-0 in the ACC since I was a third year. That blows my mind. If you will recall, that was a pretty good season (Elite Eight).
Wow. Just…wow. Tony Bennett for President.
Monica Wright breaks record in losing effort
Jan 12th
The women’s basketball team gets a chance to play on national television, at home, and Monica Wright breaks Dawn Staley’s career scoring record for the UVa women. Sounds like a perfect night, huh?
It was, except for the final score. A disappointing loss, one that drops the Hoos to 0-2 in the conference. Ugh.
Watch the UVa Women on ESPN 2 Tonight
Jan 11th
Good opportunity to watch Monica Wright and the UVa women’s basketball team tonight on ESPN2 at 7:30. The Hoos are facing Maryland.
The Great Blog reminds us that Wright has an excellent shot at passing Dawn Staley to become Virginia’s all-time leading scorer tonight. Don’t miss it.
