Tony Bennett – Virginia Cavaliers Post Defense

Written by Wes Kosel

Wes Kosel will enter his first season as an Assistant Coach at Augustana University under Tom Billeter in 2016-2017. Kosel came to Sioux Falls after two season at Colorado College as the lead assistant. Kosel, a native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, served as an assistant coach at Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Texas Lutheran University from 2012-2014. Kosel graduated from the University of Kansas in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He also has a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Houston. While attending Kansas, Kosel served as an assistant coach at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. A life-long student of the game, Kosel honed his coaching skills by working summer camps for various programs in Texas, Colorado, Missouri, and New Mexico. Kosel also is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Personal Trainer, both of which are certifications earned through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Kosel and his wife, Molly, live in Colorado Springs.

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October 24, 2016

Tony Bennett – Virginia Cavaliers Post Defense by Wes Kosel

Here is a video with several clips showing post defense by Tony Bennett’s Virginia Cavaliers. Bennett is entering his 11th season as a head coach and 8th at Virginia. His overall record in 10 seasons is 234-105, with 69 wins as the head coach at Washington State and 165 wins at Virginia. Since 2013, he has put together an incredible 89-19 record, including back to back 30 win seasons in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Bennett is the son of Dick Bennett, who coached at Wisconsin, Green Bay, and Washington State as a head coach. Tony played for his father at Wisconsin-Green Bay and helped lead the Phoenix to an NCAA Tournament appearance. He was also named conference player of the year twice. He spent time as an assistant at Wisconsin and Washington State before getting his own head coaching job in 2006. He has tied the single-season win records at both Virginia and Washington State.

Tony Bennett – Virginia Cavaliers Post Defense

Bennett’s 2015-2016 squad finished 2nd in the nation in scoring defense allowing only 60.1 points per game. The only team to beat Virginia was Wichita State who allowed 59.0 points per game. In the video, you will see how Bennett’s defenders guard in the post and some different tactics that Bennett utilizes to stop dominant post players.

In this first clip, the Cavaliers double in the post with the other big man. The weak side guards make sure to shrink over to help on any dive by the unattended big man on offense.

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In the second clip, Virginia does a great job of “bodying up” and the defender uses his chest to force Iowa State’s Georges Niang away from the basket. The other players help by reaching in some on the dribble to make it harder for Niang, but the post defender does a really great job keeping position and moving laterally to stay in front.

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