CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A staple for the UVA men’s program has always been experience, a veteran-laden team with unbreakable chemistry. Those are things that don’t define the makeup of the Cavaliers at least not yet. Coach Bennett said patience will be needed for the growing pains that are expected.
“We’ve been successful because of continuity and I think continuity and veterans will always win out even in this new era so that’s the challenge but I think there’s some excitement,” said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett. “That team last year was old and good. Now we have a team that I hope is new and good.
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On court leadership will mold a young squad. That’s where defending ACC defensive player of the year Reece Beekman will help, along with Ryan Dunn. While just a freshman last year, he played valuable minutes for the Cavaliers and their push to make the NCAA Tournament.
“I had to take a different leap now from just learning from last year from the veterans to now, helping,” Dunn said. “So now, it’s just being an example defensively with what Tony likes to do, be a guy for him. As well as be as aggressive as I can offensively.
“From the summer to now it’s been major improvements,” said Beekman. “Everybody has been buying into the system and everybody wants to lock in. So, I feel like me and the older guys telling them it takes time to learn it I feel like they’ve used that to stay poised.”
And if that isn’t enough motivation, the ending to last season certainly is.
“The Furman game, March Madness. The way it ended for us was hard. So just throughout the offseason that was my mindset was just to get back to March Madness,” Dunn said.
“The little things matter and we just want to use that game as motivation for not only the tournament but for overall the whole season,” Beekman added.
This marks the first time since 2018 that UVA will start the season unranked. But this program proved back then it’s not how you start but how you finish.