
Press Conference: Auburn coach Bruce Pearl at the 2019 Final Four
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl talks with reporters about his team’s game with Virginia on Saturday in the 2019 Final Four.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl talks with reporters about his team’s game with Virginia on Saturday in the 2019 Final Four.

A decade ago, Tony Bennett arrived at Virginia looking to turn around a program that hadn’t been to the Final Four in 25 years. He’d need time to implement his style and find recruits to fit his system. And 10 years later, he’s ended that streak.

Virginia is all about order. Auburn is all about chaos. On Saturday night in Minneapolis, one will have to give as the Cavaliers and the Tigers meet in the Final Four in a battle of contrasting styles.

Two weeks before making arguably the most important shot in Virginia basketball history and helping clinch the program’s first Final Four berth since 1984, Mamadi Diakite was playing some of his worst basketball at the most critical of junctures.

Last year, the anguish on Kyle Guy’s face was what defined Virginia basketball. The tears flowed, the shock and sadness set in, and Virginia was the team that had done the impossible — lost to a No. 16 seed.

UVA Basketball players Kihei Clark, De’Andre Hunter and Jay Huff on the Elite Eight win over Purdue.

UVA Basketball coach Tony Bennett and players Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, Mamadi Diakite and Jack Salt on the team’s win over Purdue that sends the ‘Hoos to the Final Four.

UVA Basketball coach Tony Bennett and players Kihei Clark, De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy talk with reporters about the team’s game Saturday with Purdue in the Elite Eight.

Purdue can beat you in a defensive slog: proving that in its 61-48 NCAA Tournament first-round win over ODU. The Boilermakers can also outscore you, as they proved last night in their 99-94 overtime win over Tennessee. Pretty versatile, this bunch.

UVA Basketball coach Tony Bennett and players Kihei Clark, Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy talk with reporters on the Sweet Sixteen win over Oregon Thursday night.
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