Tony Bennett’s postgame interview was all class after Virginia lost to No. 16 UMBC
Virginia’s coach was thoughtful during a tough moment.
Tony Bennett was disappointed. He had to be. Virginia was the best team in college basketball all season, but no one will remember that anymore. From now on, the 2018 Cavaliers will be known as the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA men’s tournament.
UMBC pulled off the biggest upset in college hoops history Friday night, walloping the ‘Hoos by 20 points. For as humiliating as this must be for Bennett, the coach handled himself with dignity in the moments after the loss.
Here’s a transcript of Bennett’s comments:
We got our butts whipped. That was not even close. That’s first a credit to the job Ryan did, Coach Odom. Their offense was very hard to guard. They shot it well. We kept getting broken down and did a poor job.
I told our guys, we had a historic season. A historic season in terms of most wins in the ACC. A week ago we’re cutting down the nets and the confetti is falling. And then we make history by being the first one-seed to lose. I’m sure a lot of people will be happy about that. And it stings. I told the guys, this is life. It can’t define you. You enjoyed the good times and you gotta be able to take the bad times. When you step into the arena, the consequences can be historic losses, tough losses, great wins, and you have to deal with it. That’s the job.
But we got throughly out-played. Did not play well. We had a hard time with their mobile fours and their four guards. I don’t know what to say but that. That was a thorough butt whipping.
UMBC faces Kansas State in round two.
