ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TIPOFF MEDIA DAY

October 12, 2021

Tony Bennett

Reece Beekman

Kadin Shedrick

Virginia Cavaliers

Press Conference

Virginia

Q. Last 18 months, transfer portal, being able to play immediately, as well as NIL, a pandemic; two things you've had to deal with as a coach outside of practice and normal games. Just what you can say about what you've learned in the last 18 months and how to move forward from here on and off court?

TONY BENNETT: I've learned Ted Lasso is a really good Netflix show. No. There's so much there. I think we've learned to certainly appreciate the opportunity to play and made us realize how cool it is to have fans and that environment. For both of these guys, Reece and Kadin, they haven't really gotten the full experience of playing.

Kadin's gotten some, but just -- none actually have the full experience when you've got 14,500 at John Paul Jones Arena or going into some of these environments. So that makes it. That's not the only thing, but I think there's such a level of excitement that was missing last year.

But just makes you appreciate the game, the opportunity to play, and you hold things loosely because you never know what's going to happen. I think we all learned perspective. And the ability to just come together now and we're preparing for another season that hopefully will be somewhat normal.

Q. Coach, so many changes obviously, and without asking that long-winded question, you've lost some scorers, front court stars that were very experienced. I know defense is your whole thing, but how are you going to make a transition this year of teaching this team how to score points?

TONY BENNETT: Yeah. I think defense is an important thing. I don't know if it's the whole thing. You better be able to be efficient and play the game the right way. But I think this year's team, there is a lot of newness and in experience. But I think that's the name of college basketball with the transfer portal, and obviously losing Jay Huff and Sam Hauser, and Trey Murphy, all of those guys were such a big part of it.

But that's what I love about coaching. You've got some young men that they've been waiting their turn. Obviously Kihei has the most experience, multiple years, and Reece as a first-year last year started and played a bunch.

But after that, everyone is pretty much new to playing at least Virginia basketball. We have two transfers. So you get excited about seeing opportunities that are in front of Kadin, Reece, the other guys in our program and how they'll evolve.

You don't know until you start playing, but we'll have to figure out ways to fit our team. This team will be different than last year's team. And find ways that fit their strengths. It always starts with how do you have to play to have a chance to be competitive first, and then successful.

And that's kind of a each year you evolve to that and form your identity. And of course defense will be a part of it. We'll have to be able to play great defense. We lost three great shooters, three great scorers. Now we find other ways. You change things. And I'm excited to see the new opportunities for our newer guys.

Q. What was your reaction when you found out that Mike Krzyzewski was going to retire? Especially on the heels of Roy stepping down, too.

TONY BENNETT: One of the reasons I chose to coach in the ACC was to have the opportunity to test myself as a younger coach at the time -- not anymore -- against Coach K and Duke and Coach Williams and Carolina. You want a chance to test yourself against the best. They've done a lot for the game of basketball. They have storeyed programs. So I was just grateful for their impact on the game that's helped out coaches and made college basketball what it is and the ACC what it is.

So you always want someone to go out on their terms, and both of them get to do that. And that's a good thing, especially in today's climate. So I have a done of respect for them and I'm thankful for them. And I hope they can enjoy their family now and the things that are well deserved.

Q. How comfortable or uncomfortable have you been with the increase in transfers?

TONY BENNETT: I take it that's for me? Unless Reece or Kadin want to -- no. How comfortable? What's the saying? It is what it is. Right?

You know, I think there's a lot of changes. And it's always about -- you want your young men to have the best opportunities, and you just -- I think there's some good things to it. Guys, there's times, situations where maybe it is time for a player to move on for whatever reason.

But I think to be good, you have to build continuity, and that's why it makes it more challenging. Our best teams have been guys that have had opportunities and have grown through their playing experiences and years in the program. So that's the challenge in front of you to get a team that can kind of stay together. Coach Brey at Notre Dame says, Get old, stay old, and that's become more difficult now.

But it's just the way college athletics is now. There's so many changes with name, image and likeness and transfer one time transfer exceptions. But the program, you do the right thing you get the right kind of young men and you pursue excellence and enjoy it while you're doing it, and those who want to be a part of it will be a part of it.

Those who feel like it's time to move on those are the decisions that have to be made.

Q. This is for each of you. Coach, what have you discussed with the players as far as NIL goes and how have you tried to kind of educate them on it? And Kadin and Reece, what do you think about the opportunity that you have in front of you? And have you dove into that opportunity at all?

TONY BENNETT: I tell them the name, image and likeness, I think it's awesome. If they have an opportunity to make some money and do it in the right way, I'm all for it. But once it interferes with their academics, practice, or competition, then we have a problem. Everything in its right context is good.

But if there's an opportunity for them for all they do to do it, as long as they can keep it in the right place, then I'm for it. It's still -- I'm learning about it. I'm new.

And let's be real. Some people have things wired that they've been doing all along that now they can do things that are legal. All right?

And some are a little behind in it. I just want an opportunity for these guys to have an opportunity to make some money, if it's in the right place, as long as it doesn't interfere with those things.

But I have no problem with it and I think it's good, but it's still evolving so we have to figure it out.

KADIN SHEDRICK: And for me, I'm really excited for the opportunity with the new NIL implications. I don't go out searching for opportunities. I more so just let them come to me if there is one. I just think it's important to not let it distract me from school and basketball, so that's why I sit in the back seat and let happen whatever happens happens. But I'm excited for the opportunity in terms of that.

REECE BEEKMAN: I would say I'm the same way with Kadin. It's a great way to get your name out there and kind of use your abilities for -- like self-care and stuff, so like to make money for yourself. So I feel like it's a great thing. Haven't really had anything big yet so I'm just kind of waiting and see where it goes.

Q. Coach I was just wondering what strategies have you learned coaching wise from Ted Lasso?

TONY BENNETT: Well, someone told me the shoes I'm wearing, they look like Ted Lasso's shoes, so I guess my style -- no. It is -- it's a fun show. It's my wife's favorite. She loves it. She can quote most of the lines and watched the first season.

I haven't made it all the way through the second one. I don't think it's finished -- or is it?

No. But I think perspective. The one thing -- it's kind of fun to watch. He's a guy that is kind and he cares about the young men that he coaches or older guys, and Roy Kent is quite a character. I learned that.

But, I always like it because there are some cool human lessons in there just about how you treat people. That's the thing you take away. It's just lighthearted comedy and good stuff.

Q. Reece, what have you learned from Kihei about leadership and what makes him such a great leader?

REECE BEEKMAN: I learned a lot from Kihei just on court and off court. He just sees things I don't see sometimes and just talking people through. Last year I was a first year. He helped me a lot just -- just defense I feel just in the right spot. Giving me little tips that took me a long way last year.

Q. This is for Reece. Talk about your first year and what did you gain from that experience?

REECE BEEKMAN: I would say I gained like a lot of confidence just being out there first year and not knowing what to expect. So just coming in and getting the time I did really helped me as a player and as like a person. You've got to be ready for anything.

I feel like this year is more confidence for myself and just being a better leader for the team.

Q. Kadin and Reece, you've been at Virginia a couple years now, getting acclimated. What is it like to be in Coach Bennett's system and what is it like to be at the University of Virginia?

REECE BEEKMAN: I'd say the system, it takes time just to get everything down pat and kind of like you've got to buy into it. Once you buy in, I feel like you'll be okay. Just overall, it gets you to a better player.

KADIN SHEDRICK: Right. Like Reece was saying, the system, it just takes a while to learn. But once you learn it, you become a much better player. I know as a first year it was kind of difficult at times to figure out the ins and outs of it.

But now I'm in my third year I feel like I know it much better. And, yeah, in terms of being at the University of Virginia, it's been really fun. It's a great experience. Although I haven't gotten the full college experience yet because my first year was cut short, my second year COVID, so this year has been more normal and it's been fun.

So I'm looking forward to what the rest of the year has to hold.

Q. Ten years in a row wing seasons in the conference, what does that mean to you personally?

TONY BENNETT: I think when I took the job, I remember looking at the media guide when I was at Washington State and deciding, is Virginia a place I want to go, for a number of reasons. It struck me that they had some great players, great coaches and success in spurts, but there wasn't a lot of consistency.

There were very few over 500 or 500 years in the ACC conference, so that drew me to it, can you build a consistent winner.

And so the fact that to do that ten years in a row and to -- because of the players before, the coaches, to have won five regular season and -- regular season championships and two conference tournaments, that's a test. I think time and duration of a high level is important as coaches.

The NCAA tournament is awesome, but there's so many factors that go into that in terms of your matchups your health and being hot. But when it's over a conference season, that's over the course of -- well, now it's 20 games. It was when I got here, 16, 18; it goes up.

That tests the longevity. And I think that's a barometer for the consistency of your program.

And so I really like that, because that says we've recruited well. We've had good staffs. It's been fun to build that. And I think it's a great place to do it. So, yeah, it will be a challenge every year. You never take it for granted. This will be another year with, you know, this team and hopefully we can do it again.

Q. Let me first ask you, pronunciation of your first name?

KADIN SHEDRICK: Kadin.

Q. Talk about the challenge of replacing Hauser and Huff in the front court and scoring and rebounding and what do you see is your challenges?

KADIN SHEDRICK: Right. In terms of replacing Jay and Sam, I think that I bring different things to the table. I think that I can be more active in ball screens and things such as that.

I think that Jay and Sam brought incredible scoring, and I hope that I can at least halfway fill the shoes that they did.

So, yeah, I mean, it's definitely going to be a challenge, but I don't expect myself to be able to perform as well as they did in their senior year where I'm at right now. I just hope I'm able to grow this year and at some point say that I did a good job filling their shoes.

Q. Coach, wrap us up on a lighter note. Are we all going back to coat and ties or not?

TONY BENNETT: Not if we don't have to.

Q. Has there been conversation?

TONY BENNETT: Did they not release a statement? Someone told me -- I thought they did.

Q. They have.

TONY BENNETT: Have or have not? As coaches we talked about are we going to wear what we wore last year, and that was the plan at the ACC coaches thing, but I don't know if that came out.

So I'm all for it. We just coach basketball. We're not trying to cure -- do important stuff. I think football coaches have it figured out. But I think the plan is -- I hope it is. I'm operating under that, so I like it.