Former player reflects on Virginia’s 1984 Final Four run
MINNEAPOLS (WFXR/AP) — Virginia basketball radio analyst Jim Miller knows a thing or two about the Final Four.
Miller played on Virginia’s previous Final Four team in 1984. In the video above, you’ll see Miller say there are similarities between the 1984 and 2019 teams.
The 2019 version of the Cavaliers is rarely in a hurry, playing a style as deliberate and methodical as the Supreme Court.
The first national semifinal Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium is likely to be decided by whether Auburn or Virginia dictates the pace of play.
“We’re not going to compromise on how we play, but at the same time, our style of play is just to win,” Virginia guard Kyle Guy said.
Uncompromising is a good way to describe Cavaliers coach Tony Bennet’s philosophy, which was passed down by his father, former longtime coach Dick Bennett. The Cavaliers’ pack line defense and milk-the-clock offense can lead to ugly games. When Virginia became the first No. 1 seed ever to lose an NCAA Tournament game to a 16-seed last season, critics of that style were quick to pounce.
The Cavaliers owned the UMBC upset and came back stronger this season, better than ever offensively under Bennett, but steadfast in their approach.