Virginia’s big advantage is their coach and the brand of ball he coaches. Dick Bennett, Tony’s father, could and did win with nothing. When Dick retired, Tony stayed on and assisted Bo Ryan. Ryan is obviously one of the exceptional coaches of the game. Tony Bennett learned from a guy, his dad, how to win with nothing at all; then he learned how to play Ryan’s game. Bennett and Ryan’s games are idiosyncratic and something opposing teams run into infrequently. It is a different way of playing the game, not just a heavily physical way of playing (which it also is).
The ACC’s dominant teams–UNC and Duke–have always relied on a lot of finesse and athleticism, so the ACC has always produced countervailing threats that were VERY physical, like Gary Williams’ Maryland teams. Since Williams left, the ACC softened up. Turg has not produced a super physical team since he got there. Syracuse and Pitt seemed to toughen things up, but Pitt didn’t have much this season, so they were not a force. Syracuse is alway zoning so while they are hoppy, they are not necessarily bruisers. Thus, Bennett came to the ACC at the perfect time to introduce some rock 'em, sock 'em ball into the ACC. I suspect Virginia is for real and going to make everyone miserable that plays them in the Madness. Florida has the most talent, but teams are not used to the way Bennett teams play. And they never really do get used to it either. Dick Bennett developed a style of play that is kind of like what Bill Fitch used to coach in the pros. It is very hard nosed. Tony has introduced more complexity and finesse into it, but bottom line the Cavs will get in your jock and kick you till it hurts.
