Tony Bennett has elevated top-seeded Virginia’s basketball program with solid defense and efficient offense, and the Cavaliers will have to be on their game to beat Iowa State.
The teams meet in a Midwest Regional Sweet 16 game at Chicago’s United Center on Friday.
Iowa State (23-11), the fourth seed, is led by versatile 6-foot-8 forward Georges Niang, who scored 28 points in victories against Iona in the first round and Little Rock in the second round, and he will present a challenge to Virginia.
“Those guys that are complete, can score from ‘3,’ put it on the floor, at times have challenged us,” Bennett said of Niang, a 54.