Team Ball Lifts Cavaliers – (Sweet 16 in Chicago – Part 7)

(Chicago, IL) – “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”                                              An African Proverb.

In a passing performance that make Chris Paul envious, the Virginia Cavaliers have advanced to the Elite Eight in this year’s national tournament. UVA handed out 26 assists on their 32 baskets.

They led from start to finish, defeating a shell-shocked Iowa State team 84 to 71.

It was a game that was supposed to feature Iowa State’s fast paced offense and Virginia’s ‘pack the line’ defense and plodding offense. But it was Virginia’s offense that made all the difference. They broke out to a big first half lead and never looked back. The Cavaliers made 61% of their shots and handed out 15 assists on 17 first half buckets.

All-American Malcolm Brogdon wasn’t shooting that well (2 for 6) so he deferred. UVA players repeatedly talked about the team ‘pillars’ and one of them is unity, and Brogdon chose unity over selfishness. A choice he said he probably wouldn’t have made earlier in the season.

Mike Tobey came off the bench to score 18 points and Anthony Gill led the way with 23 points, but it was the ‘team-first’ mentality that Head Coach Tony Bennett has built that was so poignant both in the game and in the interview room.

 

 

The game meant a lot to Bennett. His father Dick Bennett, a former coach himself came to the game and the two coaches had some valuable time together before the game. If you love your parent and you love good values you’ll love this story.

 

 

The Cavaliers (29-7) are still knocking and will play for a Final Four appearance on Easter Sunday.

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