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SPRING 2024 15 The 6-foot-8, 216-pounder has also started to develop his offensive game, av- eraging 8.2 points while producing double- digits in 10 contests. He also ranked 11th in the ACC in rebounds per game (6.9) and 14th in steals per game (1.3) during the regular season. In the same game that Beekman ex- celled against Boston College, Dunn con- tributed a career-high 13 rebounds and 8 points. In a 73-70 win over Florida Nov. 10, Dunn shined by tallying 6 points, 8 re- bounds and a school-record-tying 7 steals. Dunn's ability to double-team and match up one-on-one with opposing centers has been critical for the Cavaliers this year. In dramatic fashion, the Cavaliers were able to fend off the Gators leaning in to what they know best, rock-solid defense down the stretch with key plays from Dunn and Beekman. "I just try to go make a big play after [Beekman does]," Dunn said. "The same way with him getting steals and getting layups at the end of the floor, I just try and get my blocks and steals and do the same thing." BRINGING THE ENERGY The defensive energy Bennett has created proves dangerous to any opponent no mat- ter the score margin. "We talk about what it means to have genuine passion, and you can't fake it," Ben- nett said. "You really had to step in there and make some plays, really kind of last man standing, outlast, and I think if you can have that mindset of being relentless defensively and offensively; that's the name of the game." The highlight of the win versus the Ga- tors featured Dunn stealing the ball near midcourt and finishing with an uncontested dunk for the lead. "I think just doing my role the best I can, encouraging everybody and being a leader on the team," Dunn said. Not only has Dunn become a key player for the Wahoos after averaging only 13 minutes per game his first-year season, but his name has appeared in some NBA mock drafts due to his physical traits and defensive ability. In February and March, Dunn was being projected as a first-round pick by multiple media outlets. He was slotted at No. 18 by CBS Sports, No. 20 by The Athletic, No. 21 by USA Today, No. 22 by ESPN and No. 23 by The Ringer. "It's great energy, he brings a lot of energy to the court, and when he makes his plays it's just contagious for everybody," Beekman said about Dunn. "We always need that, and those plays never go unnoticed." Since earning a spot in the starting lineup, Dunn has increased his scoring out- put from 2.6 to 8.2 points per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the floor. His ability to cover the court with speed and length makes him the perfect target for an outlet pass on a fast break. "Sometimes you find ways in your base system to be disruptive and a good defense has to disrupt, they can't just be vanilla and let teams do stuff," Bennett said. This is where the dynamic duo thrives. Dunn locks down defensive rebounds and Beekman produces disruptive plays by de- flecting passes to create opportunity down the stretch. The two are known for doing the little things to win and contributing to Ben- nett's team defense philosophy. "What makes us strong as a unit is that we are very athletic, we are very long, we have a lot of speed on this team, and we are able to cover a lot of ground," Dunn said. "TB's philosophy on defense covering the gaps and being in the right spot makes it hard to score against us." " For me and him both to get on there just goes to show our hard work and how this system produces great defensive players." Beekman on earning a spot, along with Dunn, on the initial 15-man Naismith Defensive Player of Year watch list in early February Dunn joined Beekman on the ACC's All-Defensive squad, plus the duo made UVA one of only two schools to land two players on the initial 15-man watch list for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. (Photo by Jamie Holt/courtesy UVA)