Leftovers … State Of The Programs: Men’s Basketball

I just posted the first program check-up piece from The Sabre’s “State of the Programs” Series; the article is a look at men’s basketball. As we do frequently here on the blog, here are some leftover quotes from coach Tony Bennett that didn’t make the article.

On the returning players …

“Certainly you want the guys who are returning to address the areas that needed improvement, get some more consistency. They have a year under their belt in terms of knowing what I want and what our program will entail. I think the returners know there are certain things like when I work out on my own, I know some of the shots I’m going to get, I know the things that are going to be required on the defensive end. There won’t be as many ‘Well, this is brand new to me. I don’t know what you’re talking about Coach.’ There’s a little more experience and understanding of how we have to do it. I think that part will help. That’s why I hope to see a jump in the returning players.”

“The kids that are in the program, they want to be here. Other guys that have left, they had some other opportunities that they wanted to pursue and I don’t hold that against them at all, but what’s left now are those that have been through this year, we’ve got work to do, and ‘I’m in.’ Those accompanied with the incoming class, that’s why I think you could say it is foundational in that regard.”

On the incoming recruits …

“They have work to do, trust me, they’re not the finished product but we established kids that are excited about coming to Virginia to restore and bring back the basketball program to a high level. I think they really fit what this institution is about. They fit equally important what myself and our coaching staff wants.”

“The new kids, I understand there will be some bumps in the road, but I hope that as you watch them develop over the course of this year, that at times you’ll say boy there’s some hope there, there’s some nice things that I can see as they mature. Some of them will have to mature very quickly.”

On changing perceptions on the recruiting trail …

“I think we’ve had more time to establish relationships with the players, high school coaches, AAU coaches, family members. I consider ourselves pretty fortunate to come in in April and then have that big of a class to sign and get it.”