U.Va.‘s Bennett likes what he sees

CHARLOTTESVILLE On the final day of March, Tony Bennett accepted an offer to become men's basketball coach at the University of Virginia. He's been in almost perpetual motion since.

The latest evaluation period in the recruiting calendar closed Wednesday night, though, and Bennett sat down with Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Jeff White yesterday at John Paul Jones Arena.

"It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, maybe more, but it's been what I've expected," said Bennett, who came to U.Va. from Washington State, where he went 69-33, with two trips to the NCAA tournament, in three seasons as head coach.

Virginia finished 10-18 this season, after which Dave Leitao stepped down as coach. Eleven scholarship players are back, including three who are recovering from recent operations: guard Calvin Baker, forward Jamil Tucker and swingman Solomon Tat. Joining the veterans in 2009-10 will be incoming freshmen Tristan Spurlock and Jontel Evans.

Some excerpts from the interview:

After putting U.Va.'s returning players through workouts this month, what are your impressions of them?

"They're a hard-working group, and I think they're hungry. . . . We'll have to see how we fit together as a unit, but certainly I've been impressed with some of the nice athleticism, and guys have shot it well in some of the shooting drills. I've been impressed and been encouraged. They seem to be a group of good character, and that's a credit to Coach Leitao and his staff, that they instilled that in those guys. You're not having to coach effort, they look you in the eye, and they're respectful young men."

Have you been surprised that your offensive philosophy has generated so much discussion? (Washington State ranked among Division I's lowest-scoring teams under Bennett.)

"Everybody wants to know style of play. That's how it always is. It's one of those deals where, first of all -- and I said it again at the press conference -- you've got to look at your personnel. You've got to say, 'All right, what do we have to do?' You have to be able to adjust.

But there are some constants that any good offensive team, regardless of style, has to have, and that's what I'm after right now. And that's good decision-making, soundness and sureness with the ball, and then with that comes freedom, when those things are in place. And then there's some things defensively, too. As simplistic as it sounds, your goal as a team is to make the opponent shoot as many tough contested shots and offensively get as many good shots as you can."

Do you worry that your offense will remain an issue?

"I think when we start playing . . . people will be surprised at some of the freedom [players will] have in our offense. I think people think we're going to walk it down the floor every single play, we're going to make 10 to 12 passes, and then we're going to be allowed to shoot with under eight seconds on the clock.

I certainly hope that's not the case. We don't do that. It's just good, tough, hard-nosed basketball, and what that looks like, again, we'll see, but there will certainly be opportunity for things . . . You've got to be able to play both ways. I watch the NBA playoffs, having played in the NBA, and you've got to be able to run at certain times, and you've got to be able to play in the halfcourt at certain times offensively."

You hired [Richmond native and former U.Va. standout] Jason Williford as an assistant coach. What does he bring to your staff?

"When I interviewed Jason it was neat, because you could see without a doubt that he is so passionate about Virginia basketball and everything the university stands for. Certainly everybody I talked to talked about his character, his loyalty. He's played [for Virginia]. He was here when they certainly tasted great success, and he's well-known in the area. I like young, kind of go-getter types, and that's what he is."

You were able to persuade Tristan Spurlock and Jontel Evans to remain committed to U.Va. How important was that?

"I think what it does, first and foremost, it speaks volumes to the University of Virginia. Certainly they had built a relationship with the previous staff, but they also were drawn to U.Va. because of what U.Va. stands for and what it is. They didn't want to lose that opportunity. I think they needed to meet me, meet the staff, which is great . . . It was exciting that they both want to come, and I understood certainly their hesitancy at first."

Contact Jeff White at (804) 649-6838 or .