ACC Basketball: Chris Mack, Tony Bennett top 2019 COY Award candidates

By Jerran Anderson | Mar 8, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, FL - JANUARY 12: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half at Donald L. Tucker Center on January 12, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images /

2. Tony Bennett, Virginia Cavaliers

The Virginia Cavaliers continue to impress with their play and now it seems, their defense has become their fuel on offense. On Monday night, they trailed the Syracuse Orange 34-32 at halftime on the road before coming out in the second half and tearing the Orange apart, albeit on the road.

The Cavaliers outscored Syracuse 47-19 in the second half as Kyle Guy and De’Andre Hunter shot a combined 13-17 from 3-point range to the tune of 25 points and 21 points, respectively. Ty Jerome was right behind them with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field.

This group is peaking at the right time under Tony Bennett and they’re on their way to at least a share of the regular season conference title alongside the North Carolina Tar Heels. They’re showing they aren’t a team you want to face at all as March Madness looms, they’ll just need to keep it up.