Gardner, Franklin likely returning but Kihei Clark has a decision to make

By Jerry Ratcliffe

When Jayden Gardner didn’t participate in Senior Day ceremonies before Saturday’s loss to visiting Florida State, it sent a signal that the East Carolina transfer would likely be back for another season.

Tony Bennett explained some of that during his radio show Monday night, noting that it’s hard to get credits from other colleges to transfer to UVA. Both Gardner and Indiana transfer Armaan Franklin had to take 12 credits last summer just to be eligible to play for the Cavaliers.

“It will take them an extra year to get a degree,” Bennett said of the two transfers. “Armaan is definitely coming back. I’m hoping the majority of this team is coming back. It has improved, but still has a lot of work to do to keep building.”

Meanwhile, there’s senior point guard Kihei Clark, who has an extra year of eligibility. Clark did participate in Senior Day with approximately 20 family members flying in from Hawaii to watch him play his final two regular-season home games.

Will Kihei stay or will he go?

Clark’s family told a media member last week that Bennett had invited Clark back for another year and the family believed he would return.

Bennett wasn’t sure on Monday night.

“Kihei has his degree,” the coach said. “He will have a decision to make. My assumption is that he’s probably in his last year. I just don’t know for sure.”

There’s no surprise that Bennett would like the players to return. He said that he is pleased in the direction the team has taken over the course of the season.

“You just want to finish strong,” Bennett said.

Virginia is 17-12 overall and 11-8 in the ACC, with the regular-season finale scheduled for Saturday at Louisville. From there, it’s on to the ACC Tournament in Brooklyn, where many experts believe the Cavaliers have to at least make it to the championship game to have any chance of getting an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

As of Monday night, UVA’s NET ranking stood at No. 81. No team ranked higher than 73 has ever earned an at-large bid to the NCAA. ESPN’s bracketology has UVA rated at “Next 4 Out,” which follows the “First 4 Out.”

“Up to this point, I think we have [improved],” Bennett said about his team. “That shows in the record. Then we lose a heartbreaker in the fashion we did, and it stings.”

UVA lost to Florida State three days ago on a last-second, 3-pointer from 30 feet, making it the first time all season that the Cavaliers lost back-to-back games.

“[The loss] doesn’t take away the improvement of individual players,” Bennett said. “I don’t know if one area stands out [in terms of overall team improvement]. We’re a little more efficient at guys finding certain spots they can score. Defensively we’re solid. Nothing great, but solid.

“Reece Beekman is better at creating for others, and we’ve seen that in Kihei, too.”

Bennett said that Gardner has developed over the season.

“He has good feet, quick feet and improved his slides in on-ball defense,” Bennett said, pointing out how well Gardner has played against Duke’s sensational freshman Paolo Banchero, whom he shut down in both meetings. “What you’ve seen [Gardner] do at a high level is slide on the ball and use his physical strength and mobility to keep guys in front. All of our guys are continuing to get better.”

Gardner, who Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last week was having an All-ACC caliber season, has been everything Virginia expected.

“When you bring in transfers, it’s important for them to impact and play a good amount,” Bennett said. “Losing [Trey] Murphy (to the NBA Draft last summer), we had some holes. We needed to bring in someone who could score and [Gardner’s] a proven scorer. He plays hard.

“We weren’t sure how quickly he would adjust defensively, but he’s worked hard. He’s a really good teammate. So is Armaan. They have fit in smoothly.”

Bennett said his plan was to coach Gardner hard, to “go after him in a good way.”

“He’s always going to try hard, he sprints off the court, he looks like he’s enjoying what he’s doing,” said the coach.

Bennett told a story about Gardner from over the summer, when he walked out of his office and heard a basketball bouncing on the court. He looked out to see who was on the floor.

It was Gardner, alone, shooting.

“He did not see me, but he was doing what we’ve all done, maybe in our driveway,” Bennett said. “He was counting down — 3, 2, 1, then shot the ball. He made a fist and was so excited. Maybe he was envisioning that Pitt shot.”

Bennett didn’t say anything, went back to his office, but never forgot the moment.

“You have to love that enthusiasm, his love of the game,” the coach said.

At halftime Saturday, Virginia announced its participation in the Roman Legends two-day tournament in Las Vegas next November. The field also includes Baylor, UCLA and Illinois, one of the stronger fields the Cavaliers have faced in early-season events.

“Where is that one?” Bennett asked before he was told Las Vegas. “Talk about a great field. Those two-day tournaments, we like to find good competition. That should be a high level tournament.”