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He was also a factor in Virginia's 61‑52 victory like you've got him all bottled up, but then he'll over North Carolina Jan. 6. He had a key blocked spin, he'll turn and he'll just fling up a little shot shot during a decisive second-half run that helped and get it over you. He hits it with consistency, UVa capture its ACC season opener. The win was which is the amazing thing. He's impressive is in UVa's first over the Tar Heels in five games at his own way." John Paul Jones Arena. Atkins admits his first-year season at Virginia Virginia head coach Tony Bennett said there was an adjustment. have been several factors in At"Last year, I felt like it wasn't kins' improvement this season. "For me personally, my place to do things," he said. "First, it's just a natural pro"This year, I feel like I have the gression from being a first-year I'm not surprised power and chance to do those and spinning around and you're at the success I've things and be an offensive threat. a little anxious, to having a year had. I worked hard Coaches say I have the go, I have under your belt of playing in some the green light, and I have some big games," Bennett said. "When throughout the tricks up my sleeve." he went home and came back, he whole offseason So far, Bennett has been very had really put the time in in trying pleased. and it's coming to develop his touch and develop "I like what I have seen so far [low-post] moves that would be together." from Darion and I think he underAtkins stands who he is as a player," Benreal solid for him. He's got a nice right-handed jump hook where he nett said. "We always talk about fades a little bit on it, so he can get it off. that. It's so important, but he has a good grasp of "And he's gotten stronger in the weight room." that now." Bennett added: "I think the work he's put in on Unfortunately for UVa, it was announced some of his skill things, the strength he's gained Jan. 15 that Atkins would be sidelined indefiand then the confidence of just being a year older nitely due to a stress reaction near his right shin. has made a difference. He's always had the natuThe injury began bothering him prior to the Dec. ral quickness and ability, but [now] he's actually 22 game against Old Dominion, and he hasn't apshowing you some touch and some moves and, proached his early-season numbers since. again, just that confidence to play at a higher Atkins scored four points against ODU, none level." against Wofford, two against UNC, two against Atkins' teammates have seen the difference. Wake Forest and, most recently, two against "At times, it didn't even seem like he was listenClemson. Not coincidentally, perhaps, the Hoos ing last season," said Mitchell, smiling, "but he's lost three of those games. learned so much in the past year and has become a UVa hopes to get Atkins back to where "he can leader, along with me and Joe and Jontel [Evans]. go and play all out and fly around," Bennett said. I'm proud of the way he's grown up, especially "Because that is kind of his mentality, with his after coming in last year and not getting as much versatility and activity on defense, and when he's time as he wanted." not able to get out and show on screens as much Mitchell said going against Atkins in practice or be as active, it affects him and probably does isn't easy. affect our defense when he's on the floor, more "Darion's funny, man," Mitchell said. "It seems than most guys." ◆