Cavs’ new coach gets taste of in-state battle
Virginia coach Tony Bennett was asked Monday about rivalries during his college days as a player at his hometown school, Wisconsin-Green Bay.
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“The Packers and the Bears, that was about it,” said Bennett, referring to the famed pro football teams.
Tonight in Charlottesville, Bennett will get his first taste of the rivalry that rages at his new school when resurgent Virginia (12-5, 3-1) plays Virginia Tech (15-3, 2-2).
After six years at Washington State, including three as the head coach, Bennett knows in-state competition. In his first five games against rival Washington, Bennett guided the Cougars to victory.
Bennett has been an equally quick study at Virginia, transforming a team that went 10-18 last year. With a pack-line defense, a scrambling rotation, and liberal use of the 3-point shot, Bennett has revived a sagging program.
“They’re extremely well coached, extremely disciplined on both sides of the ball,” said Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg. “You’ve got to be aware of getting good ball and people movement so they’re not packed in and their rotations are short. But I’m not sure it’s that drastically different. I just think they’re an extremely confident team right now.”
Rivalry success didn’t come as easily for Greenberg. In his first three years, he lost five of six to the Cavaliers. But in the last three years, Tech (4-2) has had the upper hand.
Tonight’s game will match two of the best guards in the league, Virginia Tech junior Malcolm Delaney (19.5 points per game) and Virginia sophomore Sylven Landesberg (17.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg).
“They’re both terrific guards,” said Bennett. “Delaney is a guy who can score the basketball, is very talented. They use him in a lot of different ways. You’ve got to do your best to make him earn his baskets. You have to be mindful where he’s at. He can change the game.”
While Virginia is regrouping after a humbling 69-57 loss at Wake Forest, Tech has won three of its last four.
“It’s a rivalry game for our fans, alumni, students, bragging rights,” said Greenberg. “But it becomes a bigger game because it’s a league game and both teams are having some semblance of success and both teams are fighting to stay alive and remain relevant in the league.”
