UVa’s Bennett ready for hoops season

Gingerly, Virginia coach Tony Bennett walked out of his John Paul Jones Arena office on Wednesday morning. The 40-year-old had strained his calf the day before and joked that the injury was the result of age — and possibly some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream — catching up with him.

Well, ice cream parlors are probably the last place you’ll bump into Bennett’s new players.

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. Bennett said that Landesberg’s notoriously grueling workouts with his father in New York City appear to have paid dividends.

“His body looks good and he’s worked hard on his shot,” Bennett said. “It looks smoother … hopefully those things will carry over because he’ll be a marked man this year. He’s not going to take anybody by surprise. He’ll be everybody’s focal point and that will be challenging.”

One of Bennett’s many questions shortly after taking over at Virginia was whether Landesberg, the Cavs’ top scorer last season, had the skills to play point guard if need be. Bennett says he doesn’t have a definite answer yet, mainly because the team cannot begin full-court scrimmaging until Sept. 15. Bennett has only been able to observe his players in small-group settings.

“Sylven looks like he has a real good feel for the game and is a complete player,” said Bennett, whose team can start full-scale practices Oct. 15. “The ultimate thing is I just want him to be as competitive and eventually successful as possible.

“That’s the mark of a good player — he does what’s needed to help his team win or be real competitive. That’s what I want to see from him.”

Bennett has already witnessed that, to a degree, from sophomore 7-footer Assane Sene — a good thing, considering the departure of fellow big man John Brandenburg (who transferred to Colgate). Bennett says Sene has benefited from the guidance of new strength and conditioning coach Mike Curtis.

“I think he’s a guy right now who can impact the game with how hard he runs the floor, the shotblocking and just being a great teammate,” Bennett said. “Certainly there is more polish that needs to come, but he’s been willing to work. What I like is he says, ‘Coach, I’ll do whatever role I’m asked.’”

Fortunately, Bennett’s squad doesn’t seem to be taking on the MASH-unit identity of past Cavalier teams.

Jamil Tucker (shoulder) and Solomon Tat (knee) are both close to 100 percent after offseason surgeries.

Calvin Baker recently underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee, but is expected to be back in plenty of time for the season.

Much of Bennett’s 2009-10 schedule was inherited from predecessor Dave Leitao. However, Bennett, whose top assistant, Ritchie McKay, helped put together the slate, was able to add a few touches of his own, including a trip to Cancun, Mexico in November.

“There are some challenging road games,” Bennett said. “There could be as many as five games against BCS schools. You want to know where you stand, so I think it will reveal some things heading into conference play.”

While Bennett can’t really get his system into place until the official start of the season, he has already started the process of improving team chemistry. He’s conducted a number of team outings, including meals at his new home, as well as an intrasquad softball game.

“We’re all in this for the same reason,” Bennett said. “We want to get this program headed in the right direction.”

Strained calf muscles be damned.