It’s time for Virginia Cavaliers to get over the hump. Instead of storming the court when they beat an ACC big boy, it’s time to become an ACC big boy. The talent all belongs to Tony Bennett now, so no more excuses. It’s going to be year five and it’s time for all the growing pains to finally pay off.
Projected 2013-14 Lineup:
PG – Teven Jones (SO), 6-0/180
SG – Joe Harris (SR), 6-6/210
SF – Justin Anderson (SO), 6-6/230
PF – Akil Mitchell (SR), 6-8/235
C – Mike Tobey (SO), 6-11/230
Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell make up one of the best, if not the best, one-two punch in the league. In fact, Harris is a preseason ACC player of the year candidate. Primarily a three-point shooter coming into college, he now uses his great frame and improved ball handling skills to work inside. He’s physical and hard to handle, getting to the line 150 times last year.
Mitchell was an afterthought in Tony Bennett’s 2009 class, but the versatile forward has turned into one of the better fours in the league. He plays face-up and can put in on the floor going both ways. He gets good position on the defensive end and he could be the league’s top rebounder this coming season.
The Cavaliers are desperate for a third scoring option and the two most qualified to fill the role are Justin Anderson and Mike Tobey. Anderson is an elite athlete and the best defender on the team. He can attack the basket, but he’ll need to improve his outside shot if he wants to be that third option.
Tobey has a good feel for the inside game. He’s got soft hands and shows off some impressive moves. Yet, he struggles to be consistent because he lacks the size to fight for position inside.
Of course the key to the Cavaliers success is at point. Jontel Evans is gone and Teven Jones should step in. He started nine games last year and proved to be a tough, physical, athletic guard. He makes good decisions in the lane and can hit a shot from deep. He’ll need to show more maturity on the defensive end though in a tough Tony Bennett defensive scheme.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORS
SF – Evan Nolte (SO), 6-8/210
PF – Anthony Gill (SO), 6-8/230
SG – Malcolm Brogdon (SO), 6-5/205
The Cavaliers have some nice depth, with three players having averaged 20+ minutes (although Gill and Brogdon didn’t play last year). Evan Nolte could be a starting four on a lot of teams thanks to a solid outside shot. Meanwhile, Malcolm Brogdon redshirted last year with a broken foot, but he has the toughness that Bennett adores. He’s a smart player who can backup both guard spots.
Anthony Gill is an intriguing player…the transfer from South Carolina is not the flashy type, but he works hard inside. He moves well in traffic and can seal himself underneath. While he’s inconsistent from outside, he will put it up from three.
ROLE PLAYERS
PF – Darion Atkins (JR), 6-8/225
SG - Taylor Barnette (SO), 6-3/170
PG – London Perrantes (FR), 6-1/155
Darion Atkins is probably more than just a role player. He did average 16 minutes per game last year, but he’s more of a defensive specialist with a knack for shot blocking and rebounding. However, with Gill in the mix, I expect Atkins’ minutes to take a slight hit.
If given daylight, Taylor Barnette is lights out. In fact, he was 10-18 from three last year in ACC play. The problem is, without daylight, he’s pretty useless and needs to develop his ball handling skills.
Freshman London Perrantes is a savvy player with a good basketball IQ. He’s not the quickest cat on the lawn and he really needs to add some size, but if he can nail an occasional jumper, he should get some minutes behind Trevon Jones.
LIMITED ACTION
PG – Devon Hall (FR), 6-4/200
I think Devon Hall has a good future. He’s not athletic and will need to work on his ball handling skills, but he’s a lefty with a large frame, with great court vision. The problem is, there is just too much talent ahead of him at the point guard spot right now.
