At ACC Media Day on Sunday, John Clougherty, the ACC coordinator of men’s basketball officiating, announced a new rule in which help-defenders will be whistled for fouls if they attempt to take a charge within an 18-24 inch “imaginary” line, extending from the edge of the backboard to the front of the rim.

Last season, UVa was picked by the media to finish 12th in the 12-school ACC. The Cavaliers ended up 11th, and replaced former coach Dave Leitao with Bennett at season’s end.
On Sunday afternoon at ACC Media Day, Virginia was predicted to finish 11th.

“We’re just trying to work hard,” said Bennett, whose team opens its season against Longwood on Nov. 13. “We certainly have a lot of work to do. We’re just trying to get better every day.“

With the start of official practice on Friday, smiles abounded — something that was missing the last couple of years when many Virginia players seemed as if they were walking on egg shells.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Mitchell joins Will Regan, Joe Harris, K.T. Harrell and James Johnson in Bennett’s inaugural 2010 recruiting class.

Monica Wright, a senior guard at Virginia, was named a preseason All-American by Lindy’s College Basketball.

San Diego prep star James Johnson could have chosen almost any place in the country to play his college basketball.
On Sunday, the redheaded Johnson mildly surprised experts and picked Virginia.

2009 - 10 Women’s Basketball Schedule

Bennett has been pleased with the offseason work that his new charges have put in, most notably that of ACC rookie of the year Sylven Landesberg.

The ACC announced Virginia’s schedule Friday, a slate that includes 17 home games and has an in-state flavor with contests scheduled at John Paul Jones Arena against James Madison, Liberty, Longwood and Virginia Tech.

Former Virginia big man John Brandenburg, who left the school in July for unspecified personal reasons, is transferring to Colgate, The Daily Progress learned on Wednesday.

2009-10 Men’s Basketball Schedule

That talk became even more meaningful Tuesday as Virginia coach Debbie Ryan announced that post player Kelly Hartig has transferred to Colorado-Denver.

In taking over a program that won just four ACC games last season, new Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett clearly has his work cut out regardless of whom his team has to face.

Virginia sophomore guard Sylven Landesberg was one of 50 players named as preseason candidates for the men’s John R. Wooden Award, while senior guard Monica Wright was on the women’s list.

Former Virginia star J.R. Reynolds may have spent the last two years playing professionally in Europe, but clearly he’s still a ’Hoo at heart.

On Wednesday, the staff received a verbal commitment from rising high school senior K.T. Harrell.

On Wednesday, the staff received a verbal commitment from rising high school senior K.T. Harrell.

Virginia received a verbal commitment from Joe Harris, the 1A high school player of the year in the state of Washington. Harris plays for his father, also named Joe Harris, at Chelan High.

New Virginia coach Tony Bennett has landed another recruit. On Monday afternoon, The Daily Progress learned that Joe Harris, the 1A high school player of the year in the state of Washington, has verbally committed to UVa. 

On the first day Division I men’s basketball coaches were allowed back on the road to evaluate prospects this month, Tony Bennett was in Hampton.

On Thursday evening, sources confirmed to
The Daily Progress that the John Brandenburg
is transferring.

Most of Pete Gillen’s week-long goodwill trip to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan had gone about as well as could be expected until the ride back from Bagram Air Base to Kabul.

On Saturday, sources confirmed to The Daily Progress that high school power forward Will Regan has verbally committed to the program.

“I don’t know,” said Marshall, when asked if he thought James would leave Cleveland in 2010. “That’s something that, being his friend, I’m not going to answer because it’s not fair for me to sit up here and judge.”

Taking part in Virginia’s Elite Camp on Tuesday at John Paul Jones Arena, incoming UVa freshmen Tristan Spurlock and Jontel Evans displayed that quality in spades.

As he embarks on a professional career, Mamadi Diane has discovered a new mentor.

The Virginia men’s basketball team, as first reported by The Daily Progress, will be participating in the Cancun Challenge this November.

One visit was all it took.

In the end, Taylor chose to rejoin Ryan’s staff at U.Va. and become the Cavaliers’ associate head coach.