In the Tony Bennett era, Virginia Cavaliers basketball has cemented a reputation for their stellar defense. The signature Bennett Pack Line suffocates opposing offenses, forcing teams out of their rhythm and into contested shot attempts late in the shot clock. Other noteworthy defensive systems, like Shaka Smart’s “Havoc” at VCU or Bob Huggins “Press Virginia” at West Virginia, rely on intense on-ball pressure, pass denials, and frequent traps in order to force as many turnovers as possible. The idea is to create fast-break opportunities through disruptive plays.
Bennett instead emphasizes positioning, quick and fluid rotations, and solid defensive rebounding to stifle opponents and wear them down as the game progresses.