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WINTER 2024-25 15 included such players as Evans, Justin An- derson, Mike Tobey, Darion Atkins and Evan Nolte. With guard Malcolm Brogdon taking a medical redshirt while recovering from foot surgery, Virginia didn't have a full comple- ment of players in 2012-13. Brogdon returned in 2013-14, however, to play a leading role in one of the greatest seasons in program history. With a 75-56 win over Syracuse on March 1, 2014, Virginia clinched the out- right ACC regular-season title for first time since 1981. Two weeks later, in Greensboro, N.C., UVA defeated Duke to capture the ACC Tournament for the first time since 1976 and only the second time in program history. After the final horn sounded, an unfor- gettable scene unfolded at the Greensboro Coliseum. As the Cavalier band played "We Are The Champions," the team basked in the applause of the fans who'd turned the 23,500-seat venue into a larger version of John Paul Jones Arena. Among those in at- tendance were Bennett's parents and Terry Holland, head coach of the UVA team that won the ACC title in 1976. "It felt amazing," Mitchell said. "That's what you dream of." "It was marvelous," McKay said. "That was such a memorable moment for me, just because I saw someone stay true to his convictions, build a program the right way, produce some unbelievable kids that were going to be great parents, leaders in their sphere of influence, and represent the University and its academic mission with prowess and in the right way." The Cavaliers advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2014 before losing to Michigan State, after which they became fixtures in the NCAA Tournament. SUSTAINED SUCCESS Under Bennett, Virginia's trademarks were its deliberate offense and the rugged Pack Line defense created by his father, for whom Bennett played at Wisconsin-Green Bay. UVA didn't land five-star recruits, but many of the players who developed under Bennett are now in the NBA or playing pro- fessionally overseas. "There's no chance it would happen without the young men and how we did it," Bennett said of the Cavaliers' sustained success. "We did it in a unique way. That was my vision, our vision as a staff. Can we build this program that maybe is a little different than the way you do it? That's the beauty of this sport: You get to choose how you do it, with who you do it, in the style you do it." In his penultimate season at Virginia, Bennett reached another milestone. UVA's 73-66 victory over Syracuse on Jan. 7, 2023, made Bennett the winningest coach in program history. He had been tied with Holland, who posted a 326-173 record in 16 seasons with the Cavaliers and led them to the Final Four twice. "To pass Coach Holland, he's amazing," Bennett said after the game. University president Jim Ryan presented Bennett with a commemorative basketball after the game. Among those in the crowd of 14,217 that day were Bennett's wife and their children, Anna and Eli. Bennett thanked his family for its support and sin- gled out the contributions of UVA's players and coaches during his tenure. "This is not a 'me' award," Bennett said. "This is an 'us' award." When he was introduced as the Cava- liers head coach in 2009, Bennett said he wanted to build a program that would last and have sustained success. That he achieved that goal, Bennett said during his press conference in October, made it easier for him to step down. When UVA unfurled the NCAA champion- ship banner at John Paul Jones Arena in 2019, Bennett quoted a proverb: A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. "And how we did it and who we did it with, that's the beauty of it," Bennett said in October, "and what we went through and how we handled adversity." Bennett's final résumé at Virginia included an NCAA championship, two ACC Tournament titles, six regular-season crowns, 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and four ACC Coach of the Year honors. (Photo courtesy UVA)