The College Basketball season is finally upon us. The Dave Leitao experience is now complete, as we start a brand new era championed by shiny-new UVA hoops coach and defensive-stalwart, Tony Bennett. I had the chance to sit down with Bennett after practice on Thursday for about 10 minutes. It was just the two of us sitting down in the Barry Parkhill Practice Court to chat. Coach Bennet has invited the media to watch practice twice already this season, and of course, I went to both of these enlightening practices.
Listen to Trent’s interview with UVA hoops coach Tony Bennett |
Coach Bennett and I talked about whether he had ever been to Charlottesville before his stealth, UVA private-jet flown interview here, and what are some of his favorite restaurants here in town. We also talk a little basketball, as well as what kind of beer he likes, as well as what he would say to a potential hoops recruit that already has offers from Carolina and Duke to get the young man to commit to UVA instead. I also asked him how his Christian faith plays into his coaching style.
This was the second time I have had the pleasure of sitting down and talking hoops with Coach Bennett. The first time was an off-the-record conversation about the team, his time at Washington State, his time playing in the NBA, and the close-knit relationship he has with his legendary hoops-coaching father, Dick Bennett. Coach Bennett is very comfortable with the media, and he will tell you that he will remain that way as long as what is off-the-record stays that way!
I have to say, that I was very impressed with Tony’s honesty, his candidness about the program, and his energy level. He’s going to be an excellent coach here in Charlottesville for many years to come. We aren’t allowed to speak about what we saw at the two practices (Tony and UVA SID Rich Murray made that abundantly clear), or comment on the starting fives we saw, but I loved the energy the kids showed, and the level of hustle they brought to the practices.
