Virginia’s floor general actually has more experience than the one on the bench this season.
As new Cavalier head coach Tony Bennett begins to take over a team that won just 10 games last year, he will rely heavily on reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Sylven Landesberg.
Bennett also has the luxury of having all but two of last season’s players returning to Virginia.
But Landesberg, who averaged 16.6 points per game last year as a freshman to lead the team, will be expected to not only improve his own game, but also to excel in his new role as a team leader.
“He’ll be a marked man this year,” Bennett said. “Even though he is young, my challenge for Sylven is to make his teammates better.”
Landesberg does not seem fazed by the challenge nor the added pressure placed on him, but has confidence in his ability and his teammates.
“We’re all excited for the season to start,” he said. “Last year was definitely a learning curve…. We’ve all matured from then. We won’t be surprised [if we play well], even though other people might be.”
Landesberg feels his work during the offseason will pay off as he seeks to improve on his ACC Rookie of the Year season.
“I don’t like people saying I had a big season last year. There are a couple of things I could have done,” he said. “This season, it’ll be a lot harder to guard me.”
Bennett, who previously had taken Washington State to the Sweet 16 in 2008, looks to shore up the defensive end, while stressing a solid halfcourt set on offense.
“We will give them no wiggle room on defense,” Bennett said. “We will do whatever gives us the chance to be competitive.”
Above all, however, Bennett hopes his team will come together as one.
“We talk about unity all the time,” he said. “We can’t let our house be divided.”
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