As college basketball season winds down for Virginia and the rest of the country, bracketology and NBA mock drafts provide plenty of fan fodder as March Madness looms. It’s unlikely that UVA coach Tony Bennett reads such things, but he’s sent a clear message lately on the latter regardless. That message: ignore Reece Beekman at your own risk.

In what potentially boiled down to a must-win game at Boston College on Wednesday night when it comes to the Cavaliers’ NCAA Tournament resume, Beekman put up 18 points on 5-8 shooting (plus 8-10 at the free throw line) to go with 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Bennett remains impressed with the Hoos’ senior point guard.

“He’s one of the more underrated guards in the country. He’s good,” Bennett said. “The stuff he does – he does some things, he’s unassuming, but the more he plays, the more you watch him, I hope people are seeing what’s happening for his future because it’s good. He knows how to play. I think he’s underrated in so many ways. Some of those things he did, 18 and 8 with the pressure that’s on him, are next level things.”

Rarely do you hear Bennett frame things in that manner, though it’s happened more than once this season. It’s an endorsement of Beekman that may seem unnecessary to Virginia fans, who understand his importance to the program, but one that perhaps carries some weight outside of that direct sphere. That could mean All-ACC voters, national media, scouts, draft experts, GMs, or really anyone in theory.

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