For 30 minutes Sunday, an NIT night at North Texas wasn’t going well for Armaan Franklin. In the first half, the Virginia guard had a single turnover, a missed shot, and a seat on the bench. He didn’t start the second half either.

Cavalier coach Tony Bennett said after the game that the coaches challenged him.

“We really challenged him at halftime because I said he did not come out ready,” Bennett said. “Coach [Jason] Williford said it – ‘We need you, these guys need you. You’re a better player than you showed in that first half.” – Not just missed shots, I’m talking about a couple of things.”

When another chance came, however, Franklin was ready.

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