Praise for the Pack-Line defense is nothing new. How could it be? Since Dick Bennett first charted out the scheme many years ago, it has spread to many programs at many levels and frustrated a lot of opponents along the way.

This season at least two Sweet Sixteen teams – Arizona and, of course, Tony Bennett’s Virginia club – use versions of the Pack-Line. Both are among the nation’s best rated teams when it comes to any measure of defense. Points per game? UVa is No. 1 (55.5) and Arizona is No. 5 (58.2). Points per possession (defensive efficiency)? Arizona is No. 2 (.866) and UVa is No. 5 (.888). Shooting percentage defense? Arizona is No. 5 (38.0%) and UVa is No. 6 (38.6%)

With the Cavaliers receiving growing national attention this season, a long list of well known names have heaped admiration on the cohesive nature of their defense. Pardon The Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser and now Grantland writer Shane Ryan joined a message board trend that talks about how UVa’s defense smothers or strangles opponents like a boa constrictor.

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey noted earlier this season how Akil Mitchell’s on-ball screen defense is almost unfair. Memphis guard Joe Jackson said “they’ve got to be the best defensive team” he had played in college because of how the Hoos seal off driving lanes and contest everything.

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