24-1.

That is the record for the Virginia Cavaliers basketball team, which is also the best start in the history of the Cavaliers. At the forefront of all of it has been head coach Tony Bennett. Furthering the record has been the 12 ACC wins to only one loss in arguably the toughest conference in the nation.

That alone should make Bennett the easy choice for ACC Coach of the Year. The 45-year-old also won that same honor a season ago after leading the Cavaliers to a regular season and tournament championship in the conference.

If it is not, consider the Cavaliers have gone 3-0 since losing Justin Anderson. Anderson broke his finger in the first half of a 52-47 win over the Louisville Cardinals and was the Cavaliers’ second leading scorer with 13.4 points per game. The 6-foot-6 junior guard still sits first overall in the league with 3-point percentage of 48.4.

If that is not enough, consider the Cavaliers have given up the fewest points in the country (50.9). Bennett has created a culture in Charlottesville with tough on-ball defense and a slow offensive pace. It may not be flashy, but it has gotten the job done for the Cavaliers.

At this very moment, the Cavaliers are more than deserving of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. If they happen to win the ACC tournament and the Kentucky Wildcats slip up, the Cavaliers have every chance to grab the No. 1 overall seed. With only one loss and that kind of resume, it is hard to argue that Bennett should not repeat as the league’s coach of the year.

If he were to not get it, it would be nothing short of robbery.

Michael Costeines is the ACC basketball Blogger for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MCosteines, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.