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One tangible area of improvement for Virginia we always say we want to be the second [player] this season on the defensive end has been in to leave the floor and not get faked out a lot," Benblocked shots. nett said. "It doesn't mean you can't block a shot In each of Bennett's first three years at Virginia, on the ball — as long as you're not getting lifted. the Cavaliers ranked last or second to last in the "So if we're disciplined in staying down, then ACC in blocks. you can get it that way — or you can get it comIn 2009-10, UVa averaged 2.6 rejections per ing off the ball. Those are OK, but not where it game. In 2010-11, the number increased slightly becomes a gamble or [you're] out of the play to 3.0. Last season, it dipped to 2.8, which ranked [and] you give up offensive rebounding. That's 231st in the country. what you have to be mindful of, or [picking] up However, through 16 games this season, Virsilly fouls." ginia was averaging 4.8 blocks per contest, which Essentially, the pack-line is a "sagging" manranked tied for fourth in the ACC and tied for 58th to-man defense that was developed by former nationally. college head coach Dick UVa's Defensive "Absolutely that helps Bennett, Tony's father. National Rankings your defense when guys The line itself is an Through 15 games get broken down and you imaginary one that is loRk. Category Stat have some athletic guys cated about a foot inside 2.Assists per game 8.2 who can bother a shot," the three-point arc, though 3. Points per game 51.1 Bennett said. Virginia actually has a line 4.Effective field goal percentage* 40.7 Atkins was averaging in masking tape on its prac6. Field goal percentage 35.7 1.6 blocks, which ranked tice court. 6. Possessions per 40 minutes 61.0 seventh in the ACC. The idea is to "pack" the 6.True shooting percentage^ 44.6 First-years Justin Anlane, forcing opponents into 7. Points per possession 0.84 derson and Mike Tobey contested outside shots. * Adjusts for the fact that three-point field goals are were averaging 0.8 and 0.6 Typically, one defender worth 50 percent more than two-point field goals; ^ blocks, respectively. Anpressures the ball outside, takes into account two-point attempts, three-point derson had some highlightand the other four defendattempts and free throws attempts to get an all inclureel swats — the most imers sit inside the pack line. sive idea of how well a team shoots pressive coming in a game This allows the pass on the against Morgan State in perimeter, but closes down December when he chased down a player from the gaps and prevents dribble-penetration. behind. The keys to the defense are "close-outs" — how "I think blocked shots happen naturally," Benwell a defender rotates or recovers to get a hand in nett said. "Darion and Akil are pretty quick off the the shooter's face; getting back in transition and floor. Darion has good timing with his." eliminating easy fast-break points; and limiting Bennett said that the best shot blockers are offensive rebounds by the opponent and preventoften those who come over and provide help from ing second-chance points. the weak side, which was exactly what happened The system was a big part of Dick Bennett's last season when Harris had his memorable swat Wisconsin squad making it to the Final Four in on North Carolina standout Harrison Barnes. 2000 (Tony was on that staff). "We work hard to be disciplined on the ball and If played well, the pack-line defense causes