Virginia dumped coach Dave Leitao but did not lose his recruits. Tristan Spurlock and Jontel Evans confirmed their commitment to the program after meeting with new coach Tony Bennett.
That's a good start for Bennett, even if Spurlock, one of the few top-100 recruits signed by Leitao in four years, and Evans, a point guard, aren't very good.
N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe reiterated last month how losing basically one recruiting class (three of the four commitments), set his program back. On that front, Bennett will have a smoother transition.
As for Bennett's style, that's the first question he has been asked on the spring circuit with Wahoo fans. Washington State led the country in scoring defense the past two seasons but ranked in the 300s in scoring offense.
Boring is one way to describe Bennett's style, the one he learned from his father, Dick, the former Wisconsin coach, and the one still run by the Badgers and Bo Ryan.
Effective is another adjective. Beauty is in the eye of the victor. I'm already on the record saying this will end well for Virginia. Keeping Spurlock is another positive step for Bennett and a program (along with N.C. State) the ACC needs to improve for the overall image and quality of the league.
It's one thing for the Big East to have filler programs, like South Florida, with no history or inclination to excel in basketball, it's entirely another for Virginia and N.C. State to annually hold up the bottom of the conference standings.
Comments
recruits
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 09:49 — gvillegatrit was easy to keep the recruits at UVa b/c these individuals prolly did not get another Div 1-A scholly!
you're an idiot
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 05:00 — AlleyOopswho knows nothing about these players before bashing them. How about doing some research. Especially on Spurlock.
boyfriend?
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 08:23 — gvillegatrwhat is Spurlock to you? boyfriend? secret lover?
UVa is about as terrible as ncsu at hoops. that was my point. you should look into a little humor if you want to exsist at this site ... regardless of whether it is tasteful or not! :)
He's my mother's lover
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 13:37 — AlleyOopsand i'm HIS mother's lover. we're boys like that
I guess
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 07:27 — gvillegatrI have to take you at your word on this one!
UVA Hoops Coaching
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 09:37 — melvinfurdWell, after the results posted by Pete Gillen & Dave Leitao over the last few seasons it won't take much for Wahoo fans to embrace their new coach. And, who knows, he might even turn out to be good!