NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST FOUR

March 18, 2024

Ryan Dunn

Reece Beekman

Isaac McKneely

UD Arena

Virginia Cavaliers

Media Conference

REECE BEEKMAN: Great excitement. This one was a little nerve-racking with the Selection Show not knowing our fate fully. So just to be able to get in and have another moment coming off last year it means a lot to me.

ISAAC MCKNEELY: Going into the Selection Show, this year's a little different. We were on the bubble. We weren't sure if we were going to be here. Watching the Selection Show, like he said, was nerve-racking. But to see our name come up it was a blessing. I know we're all excited to be here and excited to make a run. And we'll do our best to do that.

RYAN DUNN: These two touched on it a little. We were a little nerve-racking a little bit going into the show. Seeing our names was very exciting for us. And we're grateful to be here to get the opportunity again.

Q. Curious if you could tell me what you've seen from Colorado State, and your sense of what they do well and what will be important tomorrow night?

REECE BEEKMAN: We watched a little bit of their film so far. I know they have a more experienced and older team. Great guard, guard play from them and just a lot of moving actions with them. We've got to use these prep days to kind of scout good for them and kind of have our best chance.

ISAAC MCKNEELY: They've got good guard play, old, experienced team. They're in a really good conference, the Mountain West has been a good conference this year. It's not a light test at all.

It tests our vision and our defense because they have a high-powered offense. I'm excited for the challenge. They're a really good team. We'll see how we stack up against them tomorrow.

RYAN DUNN: Same thing. We watch film. We've seen how good they are with their guards, with their actions and their cutting and their DHOs and stuff. We've going to be to on high alert. We're excited to play against them. They're a good team. We'll just come out be ready.

Q. You guys are rated as one of the best defenses in the country. What got you guys to buy into that defense-first mindset?

RYAN DUNN: I'll say Coach T.B. was probably the biggest thing. He drilled it into us in the summer a lot. Just doubling down on defense, being in the gaps, playing our roles defensively and having that defensive mentality is big for us and help us win games, which for us, allows our defense to get stops. That's a big reason why we doubled down on our defense. We rely on it a lot.

ISAAC MCKNEELY: I feel like first thing, if you don't play defense you don't play here we have to do it when. But like Ryan said, our offense, sometimes we're not hitting shots, our defense can keep us in the game. That's like our calling card, it's our defense. It's going to take a good defensive effort tomorrow against this Colorado State team. But we drill defense a lot. Coach is always on us about it, that's why we have such a good defense.

REECE BEEKMAN: I've been here -- this is my last year here, fourth year, and Coach Bennett has preached defense since day one.

Offenses changes, different schemes with that, but our defense, intensity, has always been there from day one. I think that the energy he brings to, like, our practices, it feeds on us. I think everybody gets locked in and dialed in defensively. When you do that, it makes defense more fun. I know everybody wants to play defense, but when you play like us, I feel like it's energizing.

Q. It was an interesting season apparently for Virginia. You had some really good wins, some good stretches. And there were some really tough days looking at the scores. What was the difference from day to day, from game to game with you guys?

REECE BEEKMAN: Some nights were not our nights. I feel like we just kind of let the game get away from us. We never really had to fight back in those games. We kind of just let it go.

I feel like down the stretch we try to battle and get away from those. I know the ACC Tournament games were all close, possession games. I feel like we battled throughout those games.

There were definitely moments we could have lost it, kind of just lost our composure, but I feel like we've grown in that area and that's going to help us in the tournament.

ISAAC MCKNEELY: I feel like a lot of those were in the early season. We took a lot of tough losses early in the season that we probably shouldn't have. And I feel like a lot of those were because we weren't playing a full 40 minutes.

We'd come out strong in the first half and then we let it get away from us in the second half and just the lead kept going.

But I think we matured as the season went on. We've cut down on those. Our offense is a lot better now. Our defense is a lot better. I think we're starting to play a full 40 minutes down the stretch at the end of the season. I think that's the biggest difference.

RYAN DUNN: I think earlier in the season was our biggest struggle because of our inexperience getting to know each other and know our strengths and weaknesses. And kind of what Mac says, sometimes we'll come out and play strong for another 20 minutes and then somehow we'll slip or we won't come out our best and get punched in the mouth early.

But I think once the midway-of-the-season point we got together and we kept pushing, kept going forward. I think that was kind of our string of wins we needed.

And at the end we had a little slack but I think we tightened it up a little bit. I think just for us just keep that 40-minute mentality, just keep playing 40 minutes as much as we go.

Q. As great as a coach as Tony Bennett is, him being at Virginia for so many years, what has he done that stood out to you guys that made you guys want to play for a great coach like him?

RYAN DUNN: I think on my visit was probably the biggest thing I've seen. Off the court he's just a great person to be around. He's honest. He's going to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

That's what I was looking for in a coach -- someone to tell me when I'm doing well, someone to critique me when I needed help. That he was one of the big reasons.

Then in practice he brings the same intensity, probably more to practices than the games, which is crazy to me.

But he's just a great coach to be around. He tries to bring out the best in you whenever we need it. He tries to encourage you but also lets you know what you need to know. That's why I like playing for him.

ISAAC MCKNEELY: He tells you what you need to hear not what you want to hear. A lot of coaches in the recruiting process will tell you you're going to come in and be the man. I feel T.B. didn't promise me anything. He told me if you're good enough you're going to play but I can't promise you anything. I respected that about him.

Just his honesty and how genuine he was was the thing brought me to him. And his passion for the game, how he pushes us in practice is a big deal. That's who I want to play for is someone like that for sure.

REECE BEEKMAN: Just his genuine personality outside of the court. I want a coach that I have a relationship with on and off the court because basketball isn't just the whole thing while you're in school. We kind of built that relationship. And I could tell he's got that with a lot of guys. It's good to have that just that balance.

Q. Reece, you obviously decided to come back for your senior year and this was a big part of your goals for this year. What does it mean to you to be here and what would it mean to win some games in this tournament?

REECE BEEKMAN: It would mean a lot. Like you said, this was a reason I came back. Been here two times, been knocked out the first round both times. Just have the opportunity just to lead this team and see how far we can go. I feel like we've got a good chance.

I feel like we're playing some of our best basketball right now. And I'm just excited to see how far we can go.

Q. Curious this process with the First Four. It wasn't that long ago that you found out you were in and who you were playing and you're already there in Dayton. What's this whirlwind been like getting there and getting ready?

ISAAC MCKNEELY: It's a quick turnaround. We went from watching the show on Sunday uncertain if we'd even be in the field to seeing our name come up. And then we ended up practicing that night because we like to get two practices in before a game, because like I said it's quick turnaround. Then we were off to Dayton and here we are.

I'm thankful to be here. I'm thankful that they gave us a chance. I know we're excited to get after it tomorrow.

RYAN DUNN: Like Isaac said, it was a crazy couple 48 hours for us. We were sitting on our couches just trying to see if we were playing. Next thing you know we're here in front of you guys.

But we're all grateful to be here. We're playing basketball. It's what we do, what we love to do. I'm grateful to be in this position just to be playing in March Madness again.

Q. Reece, what was the level of confidence among the team going into the Selection Show? Because there were a lot of emotions in the video that got posted. MC and other guys kind of going crazy.

REECE BEEKMAN: It was a lot of uncertainty coming in. I was seeing online a little bit most of the brackets had us out, like, the first four out, right on the cut line.

Coming in I didn't know what to expect. I know those brackets are kind of the final and stuff changes. But the emotions were high. All day I was kind of nervous trying to not think about it too much. But that was really what was on my mind most of the day.

Getting our name called was a great experience, probably one of the best experiences at UVA so far. It was just a great honor to be here and I hope we make the most of it.

Q. Isaac, do you have a favorite March Madness moment?

ISAAC MCKNEELY: I've only been in one March Madness and it didn't go too well.

Q. Even as a fan, growing up.

ISAAC MCKNEELY: I'm going to go with my teammate, Jake Groves. When he was at Eastern Washington, he and his brother both had, like, 30 against Kansas. I loved watching that. Shout-out, Jake Groves.

Q. Same question, Ryan?

RYAN DUNN: I think for me, I was kind of a UNC fan growing up. Don't tell nobody. So I would say when Marcus Paige (indiscernible) -- Marcus Paige hitting that shot to tie up the game for them was a big deal for me. I was young. I was cheering up and down.

And then Kris Jenkins hit that shot and I kind of cried a little bit. But that was probably my favorite memory. And when they won the next year, it was a good memory for me. That was probably my favorite one, too.

REECE BEEKMAN: I'll probably say the UVA run that was right -- I was getting recruited a little bit by them at that time. And just to see them with Ty and Kyle and Dre and all them, that was a special run. Just put it in perspective I could be there at one point. And that was a special run for them after coming off the loss they had the year before.

Q. Isaac, with how the ACC Tournament ended for you guys, with the NC State game, what are your thoughts about we get another chance to go play and we get to be in this tournament when you knew you were on the edge of it?

ISAAC MCKNEELY: I thought we had chances to put that game away, especially when I stepped to the line, but it's good to have another chance to play because I would have hung my head on that forever if we wouldn't have got in.

So just having the chance to play with the Selection Show, the uncertainty if we were going to be in or not, seeing our name, getting this chance, I think we're just going to make the most of the opportunity. I know we're all really thankful to be here, for sure.

Q. Same thing, we almost didn't get to do this. Is there a gratefulness? How do you feel about that?

REECE BEEKMAN: I definitely say relief. After that loss has been with us, that was two days after -- yeah, two days after, still was on my mind. Then going to the Selection Show, if that was like our last ACC game that was just a tough way to go out.

It was just relief getting into the tournament. Kind of that pressure that last game kind of goes away knowing we have another opportunity to have a better outcome.

RYAN DUNN: I'll say the same thing. That loss kind of hurt us a lot. We were kind of just figuring out, we were on the edge a lot, and we didn't know what was going to happen for us. We kind of needed that win. And it was kind of a crazy loss for us to have.

But being back here, with the opportunity, we're just, again, grateful and we don't know what could happen. Anything could happen for us, for anybody. We heard there were a lot of a lot of brackets, like, 63 brackets out and only one of us had us in.

And we were kind of (indiscernible) -- we probably might, might not. Don't know. Hearing our name called and being back on the stage and being back in this arena and this platform it's just great to be back here.

Q. Isaac, this might fall more on the coaches than the players, but what is the challenge of getting ready for a game of this magnitude in such a quick time against a team that you're not familiar?

ISAAC MCKNEELY: Like I said, after we found out we got in the tournament, we practiced that night, two pretty intense practices because they're a good offensive team. And we pride ourselves on our defense.

We were going to over actions, stuff, practicing, guarding it. Really intense practices.

And like you said we don't know a whole lot about Colorado State. We've been watching a lot of film, getting info on them, trying to do whatever we can. And the coaches put us in the best position to win.

I think where we're at right now we're in a good spot. We know they're a really good team. We have to come out and play. But I'm excited and I think we have a good chance.

Q. If you guys could just share Jordan Minor, obviously coming to Virginia getting to the tournament was a big part of his goal. What's your experience been with Jordan and how happy are you guys for him that he gets that opportunity?

ISAAC MCKNEELY: Jordan, really good player, of course. Early in the season he probably didn't get the minutes he wanted to, but he's put his head down. He's kept working. Ever since he stepped in the lineup, he's really helped us a lot.

He's came in in big games. There's a lot of really good centers in the ACC. He's held up with them pretty well. I respect Jordan. He's my roommate on the road. I've gotten close to him season. I'm glad he's part of the journey with us. He's one heck of a guy and I'm happy for him.

RYAN DUNN: Jordan put his head down and worked all year. And I'm very grateful to have him here. And he's put the work in. He's shown he's one of the best bigs in the ACC.

Not only Jordan but also Jake and Reece, having our seniors come back and being able to be here is big for all three. Jake wanted to come here to be back in the March Madness, which was good for him. And Reece came back for his last year to be here.

So I'm just happy for all three of them to be back here. I'm happy for us to help them be in this position that they're in.

REECE BEEKMAN: I just have a lot of respect for him. He came to this program. This isn't one of the easiest programs to -- it takes time to fit into the system and fully understand it.

His time, it took him a while to get under control, but when he came in, he made an instant impact, and I was very grateful for that.

I'm just very proud of him. He never gave up. He easily could have shut down when he wasn't getting the time he probably wanted. But when he stepped up, he did a lot for us, and he's shown that his growth over the season is a major help for us.