Virginia coach Tony Bennett responded defiantly before the complete question was even asked about his team’s defensive philosophy.
No, he said, No. 13 Virginia has not changed its identity from a defense-minded team to one focuses more on offense. The coach also said if the Cavaliers want to reach their potential, they need to start playing better defense.
Bennett says his team is a work in progress — as teams always are defensively.
The Cavaliers (13-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat No. 8 Miami 66-58 on Tuesday, ending a two-game slide in which they’d uncharacteristically allowed Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech to shoot 53 percent from 3-point range.