CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ The early 1990s were half a lifetime ago for Virginia coach Tony Bennett, and what a time they were.
Bennett played for the original Charlotte Hornets when the team ruled the Queen City, and he was on the court for what remains the biggest shot in franchise history.
"Basketball was such a big deal," Bennett said this week when I asked him about his career with the Hornets, which began when the team picked him in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft. "The Panthers were not in town yet. So win or lose, the place was packed. The Hornets led the NBA in attendance every year."
Now 48, Bennett returns to Charlotte this weekend. He is bringing with him his most successful University of Virginia team ever and will play in the first and (likely) second rounds of the NCAA basketball Tournament.
Virginia (31-2) has already set a school record for wins and won both the ACC regular season and its tournament. The Cavaliers boast the NCAA tournament's overall No. 1 seed for the first time and will begin play against No. 16 Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Friday at 9:20 p.m. in the Spectrum Center.
Win that one, and Virginia will play against the Creighton-Kansas State winner on Sunday. Virginia is trying to qualify for the Final Four for the first time since 1984 _ Bennett has yet to make an appearance there in his coaching career, either.
