Virginia got taken down by NC State in an intense overtime game in the 2024 ACC tournament, and it’s head coach Tony Bennett who’s taking the heat.
With the Cavaliers up 58-55 and with just seconds to go, Isaac McKneely missed a free throw, and the Wolfpack’s Michael O’Connell launched a three at the buzzer that banked off the glass, rattled around and went in to force overtime. NC State went on to win and advance.
So what did Bennett do? It’s what he didn’t do, actually — Virginia had fouls to give and could have perhaps fouled as the ball was coming up to stop the clock and reset everything.
Bennett’s explanation, as you’ll see below, was to NOT foul when O’Connell was getting close to pulling up for three, which made sense:
Not. Done. Yet.
📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/h601Pxdk04
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) March 16, 2024
I asked #UVA coach Tony Bennett about not fouling on State’s final two possessions… https://t.co/Xp2nyPMpaZ pic.twitter.com/JFiCSPtM7a
— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) March 16, 2024
Fans were mad:
Tony Bennett is going to the HALL of Fame, and I'm not even the best coach in my family, but how does he not foul when they had THREE FOULS to give on either of the last 2 possessions? I thought that was strange. Just FWIW…
— Bob Valvano (@espnVshow) March 16, 2024
What is the matter with Tony Bennett in the last few minutes?
Won't foul, won't even to attempt to double Burns.
— Jeff or Jeffrey Fann (@TalkinACCSports) March 16, 2024
Horrific coaching job by Tony Bennett
You have THREE fouls to give up 3 points and you let a guy dribble the entire court and get a shot off???
No one under the basket to potentially get a rebound or at least pressure/foul??
Disaster class https://t.co/q8Ambr9Lmd
— Evan O'Neill (@E26football) March 16, 2024
Tony Bennett?
Foul bro? pic.twitter.com/ynVJLnOw4y— Offseason in Pinehurst (@cardsfan0000) March 16, 2024
