Article on espn.com about new Virginia coach Tony Bennett, who has a misconception about the way his teams play. Most people believe that Bennett wants to slow it down and play a half court type of offense. Not true according to Bennett's former point guard at WSU, Taylor Rochestie:
"Bennett tells you to push it, but to get good shots, and on defense to make the offense take tough shots. Each game can call for a different situation."
Through a few weeks in individual workouts, Virginia's ACC Freshman of the Year guard Sylven Landesberg already saw the importance of defense.
"We've been playing fast, but we've been really working on fundamentals," Landesberg said. "He just wants your dribbling and your jump shot to be efficient. I've already seen how big he is on defense and playing one-on-one. He's big on getting that stop on the defensive end. I've learned so much already."
Rochestie said Bennett's door was literally always open. Not being too far removed from playing in the NBA helped, too. Bennett played three seasons for the Charlotte Hornets after being drafted in the second round in 1992.
"He really made us believe in him, made us believe in something bigger than ourselves," Rochestie said. "He's the type of coach where you can walk into his office and say 'This isn't working.' But he's willing to change. In the ACC, it may call for more running. But he always focuses on defense."
Bennett can be the heavy. But he still knows how to get the players to trust him and consider that he has their best interests in mind.
"That allows you to push them out of their comfort zone and toughen them up," said the 39-year-old Bennett. "I don't know any other way. I build a relationship and I challenge."
