Tristan Spurlock News

When Bill Courtney arrived on campus this past June after he signed a contract to be an assistant coach with the Virginia Tech men's basketball team, it was a relief.

The arrival of new head coach Tony Bennett at Virginia has sparked enthusiasm that the Cavaliers will improve after several dismal seasons.

In his first game as Virginia men's basketball coach, Tony Bennett delivered on his promise not to hold the ball.

Virginia's depleted men's basketball roster got a little thinner Wednesday with word that forward Jamil Tucker will take an indefinite leave.

He takes over a Virginia program that won 48 in the same span. How quickly can he change the culture, Even with eight of their top nine scorers back, the Cavs are a long way from making waves in the ACC.

In many ways Virginia basketball has had this sign up in their gym since the departure of three-time national player of the year Ralph Sampson.

Coach: Tony Bennett 2007-08 record: Postseason: None Returning starters :A Sylven Landesberg, 6-6, sophomore, guard , Sammy Zeglinski, 6-, redshirt sophomore, guard ,A Mike Scott, 6-8, junior, forward .

One thing is very clear when you talk to Virginia freshman Tristan Spurlock - he's not some shy, timid kid who's just hoping to make an impact on the program someday in the future.

With eight of its top nine scorers and all five starters returning, Virginia has a good core for first-year coach Tony Bennett .

CHARLOTTESVILLE - The Kool-Aid fountains are plenty busy at Virginia as the arrival of new men's basketball coach Tony Bennett has enthusiasm running at a fever pitch, at least within the walls of the program.

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Freshman Tristan Spurlock could be a valuable addition on the wing after averaging 23 points a game as a high school senior.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Oct. 12 -- Practice officially begins Friday, but Monday was the first time all the Virginia's men's basketball players spoke publicly in the same room since the season ended with a loss to Boston College in the ACC tournament. That was Dave Leitao's final game as head coach after leading the Cavaliers to one NCAA tournament in four seasons. Tony Bennett replaced Leitao on March 31 after taking Washington State to two NCAA tournaments in three seasons.

He inherits a roster that returns eight players who averaged at least 10 minutes, including Sylven Landesberg, the ACC rookie of the year. But he also must rebuild confidence in a group that finished 10-18 last season and endured 34 losses during the past two seasons.

Last year was an unmitigated disaster for Virginia basketball. The Cavaliers had trouble running an offense, limiting turnovers, keeping players healthy and could not stop anybody on the defensive end.