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Press Conference: UVA basketball coach Tony Bennett

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tony-bennett-newlinks2UVA basketball coach Tony Bennett talks with reporters after the second-ranked Cavs were upset at home on Saturday by #4 Duke, 69-63.

 

On Duke making shots to end the game: “In a game like that, it was hard fought. We certainly weren’t perfect on our end. It comes down to making big shots and plays. I thought we let them get rhythm shots. We didn’t really close out and try to distract the shot. That’s something we have to do. There were just enough of those to hurt us.”

On Virginia offense: “There were a few possessions where I thought we were a little stagnant and didn’t get the looks we wanted against their zone. Still, we got to the rim and got some rhythm shots at the mid-post. I thought there was enough offense there to win that game. At the end, you have to come up with some tough stops. Those errors and breakdowns cost us.”

On Duke’s transition offense: “They pass up the floor quickly. Sometimes we forced a bad shot and they were attacking down the floor. Those transition buckets were a result of us forcing and not getting back.”

On defending Jahlil Okafor: “I thought we did a pretty good job on him. Our trap was good. We tried to make him work but you can see how capable he is. He had a few offensive put-backs that were significant. We did a good job, but not a good enough job on the other guys.”

On looking ahead to upcoming games: “I’m frustrated right now because this game was within our grasp and we couldn’t finish it. No question, North Carolina will be charged up. That’s the beauty of this league. It’s like the old Big East. You better be ready to lace them up every night. You hate to give up a game like this on your home floor, but I told our guys – ‘It’s what you do from here on out.’ I think our guys understand that.”

 

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