NBC29Fans Rally Behind Bennett

Fans Rally Behind Bennett

The buzz around the John Paul Jones Arena is all about new men's basketball coach Tony Bennett.

"He seams like a really cool guy and it seems like the season might fare well for us," says first year student Kurian Thomas.

First years to fourth years filled the stands for Bennett's debut on the hardwood and the 85 to 72 win over Longwood.

"It seems like he's brought a whole new attitude, and everyone is a lot more positive about the season, and hoping for really good things," says fourth year Amelia Sitler.

Good things are something the west coast import is accustomed to.

As head coach at Washington State, Bennett maintained a winning percentage near 70.

At Friday's game he was also scoring points with swooning fans. "He's handsome, I think he has definitely won the favor of the girls here," says fourth year Courtney Hutchison.

Rumors of a secret singing talent was also making the men who kick off the pre-game show happy, "You know I've heard he's not bad, hopefully one of these days we'll get him out here doing the national anthem with us, who knows," says Tyler Morton of UVA's male singing group, The Virginia Gentlemen.

However, it was the prospects on the court that had most fans pumped, "We're going to have a perfect season that's all there is to it, it's going to be great," says Morton.

Reported by Keith McGilvery
See Bio / Email