A first look at the Cavs’ new coach

On Friday afternoon, media members had the chance to watch a Tony Bennett basketball practice. Reporting on the actual practice, per university policy, was not permitted.

However, the new Virginia coach took questions afterward.

“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.

“I think sometimes we’ll take a couple of steps forward, and then there’s been a practice where we’ve taken a step back. But I think the guys, for the most part, are really challenging themselves. What I’m trying to preach to them is that this year will be defined by how unified we are as a group…that’s kind of the theme I’m pushing to them.”

Bennett, who will be on hand at ACC media day in Greensboro, N.C. on Sunday, along with Virginia sophomore Sylven Landesberg, said defense has been a major point of emphasis since the official start of practice eight days ago.

“We’re trying to work on the areas that will get us competitive — and that’s certainly going to be rock solid defensively,” Bennett said. “I sound like a broken record, but be sure with the ball, rebounding on the defensive end and not allowing as many second-chance points.”

Virginia redshirt sophomore Sammy Zeglinski, who sat out of practice due to a sprained left ankle — it’s nothing serious and he’s expected back shortly — appeared to be in Bennett’s ear throughout the practice.

“I was kind of just trying to listen in on everything,” said Zeglinski, who redshirted as a freshman due to a right ankle injury. “Every time that he was [on the sideline], I was trying to talk to him and see what he was thinking about.

“I’m learning every day…I’ve learned a lot — just seeing how offense works and all the mistakes that are made and trying to help people out when they make them, and things like that.

“It’s a learning process.”