Bennett’s Bunch Picks Up Where It Left Off – to the Delight of Twitter

By Whitelaw Reid, wdr4d@virginia.edu

November 10, 2019

The Cavaliers' bench was all smiles during UVA’s home-opening win over James Madison University on Sunday night at John Paul Jones Arena. (Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

Even the most optimistic University of Virginia men’s basketball fan had some trepidation about how the 2019-2020 season might begin.

The Hoos lost several key contributors from last season’s NCAA championship team. They were starting the season on the road. They were doing so against a perennial powerhouse.

And how would a team coming off the very highest of highs get back on the proverbial horse?

Through two games, it’s all gone pretty darn well.

On Sunday night at John Paul Jones Arena, UVA defeated James Madison University in its home opener, 65-34.

Doors are officially open for the @UVAMensHoops season! #GoHoos | #Wahoowa pic.twitter.com/tQQabYHBFi
— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) November 10, 2019

Hoos fans had a nice surprise as they walked through the JPJ front entrance – the actual floor from last year’s Final Four!

New addition at @JPJArena. Check it out tomorrow night!
#GoHoos #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/RAxMjY7tRt
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) November 9, 2019

Pre-game introductions also had a different look.

New light show at JPJ this season that followed a great highlight video: pic.twitter.com/YsmjBcJZRV
— Streaking the Lawn (@STL_UVA) November 10, 2019

After a somewhat slow start, UVA – which got double-doubles from Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key – began to percolate.

Back-to-back dunks from #UVa's Mamadi Diakite getting free along the baseline off assists from Braxton Key and Kihei Clark, respectively. UVa leads 29-20, 2:18 left in first half.
— Norm Wood (@normwood) November 10, 2019

UVA forward Mamadi Diakite had 19 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday night's game against JMU. (Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

Stattmann with a put-back to give the Hoos a 20-17 lead over JMU. 6:32 1H

#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/HSndNrCeXS
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) November 10, 2019

Braxton Key screaming with excitement during a game

UVA senior forward Braxton Key had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the win. (Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

The win over JMU came on the heels of an impressive performance against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome on Wednesday.

You know one of the things I’m most interested in finding out? After a championship, can I watch a game without needing valium? Do I have to stand 3 feet from the TV still? Will I live to see 45 after all? https://t.co/U0hH4PF2tN
— WahooBasketball (@WahooBasketball) November 6, 2019

UVA held Syracuse to just 24% shooting in the 48-34 triumph.

I think the clear takeaway from tonight’s game is that Tony wasn’t satisfied with last year’s lackluster #5 Adjusted Defensive Efficiency rank
— Baseline to Packline (@Baselne2Packlne) November 7, 2019

The Orange’s 34 points were its fewest ever at the Carrier Dome.

Cuse with 5 points in the last 5 minutes. I mean, you knew they were gonna make a run
— Phony Bennett (@IfTonyTweeted) November 7, 2019

Former Hoos star Kyle Guy, one of the heroes of last season’s championship squad, liked what he saw.

You guys probably say this every year, but this teams defense could be better than a lot of our past teams
— Kyle J Guy (@kylejguy5) November 7, 2019

UVA was also efficient on the offensive end.

With his 3-pointer in the first half, Casey Morsell passed Jack Salt on the #UVA all-time 3-pointer list.
— Damon Dillman (@DamonDillman) November 7, 2019

Sophomore guard Kihei Clark had career-highs in rebounds (11) assists (seven) and minutes (37).

Per #UVa and @ErichJBacher, Clark’s 11 rebounds are the most for any ACC player 5-foot-11 or shorter since UVa's Donald Hand in 1999.
— Bennett Conlin (@BennettConlin) November 7, 2019

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Program low 34 points for Cuse at the Carrier Dome...broke the previous record set...wait for it...last year vs @UVAMensHoops. pic.twitter.com/vVUVE91PfL
— Dave Koehn (@wahoovoice) November 7, 2019

Around the country, respect for the Cavaliers’ performance poured in.

Just amazing with today’s rules that @UVAMensHoops can go on the road with a new cast of players & give up 34 points / play TEAM D like that & u have a chance to win regularly. What TONY BENNETT is doing at UVA is scary .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 7, 2019

It doesn’t matter when you play @UVAMensHoops, who graduates or turns pro. You still have to deal with this guy. pic.twitter.com/9BBqKynSOx
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 7, 2019