Projected 2013-14 Lineup: Virginia Tech Hokies - SCACCHoops.com

Projected 2013-14 Lineup: Virginia Tech Hokies

by ACCBasketball.com

Posted: 5/28/2013 8:54:16 AM


Last year the Virginia Tech Hokies were not a good team and that was with the scoring monster Erick Green leading the way. Maybe this will be a classic case of…big star gone, team becomes an actual team and plays better as a group. On the other hand, the Hokies could continue to struggle as head coach James Johnson breaks in seven new faces and a new-look fast pace VCU style press.

Gone: Erick Green, Robert Brown, Joey Racer

Projected 2013-14 Lineup:

PG – Marquis Rankin (JR), 6-1/170
SG – Donte Clark (FR). 6-4/180
SF – Jarell Eddie (SR), 6-7/210
PF – C.J. Barksdale (JR), 6-8/230
C – Cadarian Raines (SR), 6-9/240

Let’s be clear, all because I’m predicting this will be the Hokies’ starting lineup to begin the season, I have little hope this will be the starting lineup by season’s end. If this team quickly shows that it is headed straight to the ACC basement (as it should), then why shouldn’t James Johnson just do what Brian Gregory did last year at Georgia Tech, sit the veterans and throw the freshmen into the fire?

For now, Marquis Rankin takes over the point. He’s the ideal point guard for Tech’s new VCU style of attack. He’s quick and dangerous in the open court. He’s got a solid first step and can finish at the rim with both hands. However, he’s still tiny and can get bitched slapped inside the paint. He’s also not a good outside shooter, which will allow defenders to back off to protect themselves from that wicked first step.

With Erick Green gone, the team needs a go-to scorer and Jarell Eddie probably fits that role best (Hokie nation cringes). He’s the leading returning scorer by a lot. The good news is, after playing a lot at the 4 spot, he should get a majority of his time at the three this year. This should allow him to work his size and length to his advantage against smaller defenders. However, he needs to work on his three-point shot so he can be a more consistent outside shooter.

Right now, I have Donte Clark as the only freshman starting opening day. Yes, he’s the most talented of the bunch, but his only competition at shooting guard is walk-on Will Johnston and fellow freshman Ben Emelogu. I like Clark because he delivers the length and frame Tech needs to truly run and gun. He excels at putting the ball on the floor and above the rim.

Fact is, by spreading out their opponents, the Hokies should be able to create havoc with both Rankin and Clark taking their men on in one-on-one situations.

Inside, there is experience, but what I would call a low ceiling. C.J. Barksdale is long and athletic, a good rebounder when he wants to be and can step out and hit a jumper. However, he’s undersized to bang with the big boys and doesn’t possess offensive moves inside. Yet, he’s not quite a stretch four, since he can’t deliver from outside either.

Cadarian Raines is a high energy guy, who loves to use his wide frame to own the paint. He’s a good shot blocker, tough rebounder and works hard on both sides of the floor. Still, despite being a redshirt senior, his offensive game is still raw (thanks to a pair of foot injuries). Most of his points come from dunks or put backs.

SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORS
PF – Joey Van Zegeren (PF), 6-10/225
SF – Marshall Wood (SF), 6-8/210

Picking the starting five wasn’t that hard. However, deciding how head coach James Johnson will use his bench is something quite different. Of the few returning players, none have ever been significant contributors before and the big question remains, does Tech run with the freshmen over the veterans because the future is now?

Sophomore Joe Van Zegeren is a Holland native with some good offensive moves. In fact, he may be the most polished big man on the roster. The problem is, he’s not the strongest or most aggressive tree in the woods, preferring to play like a stereotypical European stretch four. Look for him to backup primarily the four spot this season.

Although he didn’t really show it as a freshman, Marshall Wood may be the best three-point shooter on the team. Last year, 62-percent of his shots were threes, but he only hit about a quarter of them. After that, he can take a couple dribbles and put up a mid-range, but he’s not attacking the rim.

ROLE PLAYERS
C – Trevor Thompson (FR), 6-10/215
C – Maurice Kirby (FR), 6-8/215
SG – Will Johnson (JR), 6-3/190
PG – Adam Smith (SO), 6-1/170
SG – Ben Emelogu (FR), 6-10/210

You can’t have five role players on a team, but when it comes to this patch, it’s nearly impossible to predict which one or two will step up and become a major contributor, so I’m not going to guess and embarrass myself.

Will Johnson is a walk-on who actually started four games last year, averaging about 11 minutes per contest. He’s a solid outside shooter and is surprisingly athletic. He brings energy to the floor and a willingness to do anything asked of him, so he could easily be put in the one category above.

Either way, I think between Johnson and freshmen Adam Smith and Ben Emelogu, head coach James Johnson has a nice five-man rotation at the guard spots. Smith is a transfer out of UNC Wilmington. He proved to be a better scorer than distributor, averaging over 13 points per game.

Emelogu is a kid I’m curious about. He’s an athletic shooter, who should do well off screens when he set his feet. However, despite having a decent frame, because he’s a poor ball handler, he won’t deliver any inside punch.

Johnson has two freshmen big men to play with inside. Trevor Thompson is extremely light and will struggle at the defensive end, but he’s got good motor, runs in transition and can score with both hands with his back to the basket.

Kirby is both short and skinny (not a good combo), but he’s got good length and a soft touch. Inside, he can’t do much damage, but he can nail a jumper from the elbow.

LIMITED ACTION
SF – Christian Beyer (JR), 6-7/200
PG – Devin Wilson (FR), 6-4/175
PG – Malik Mueller (FR), 6-3/240

Christian Beyer is another walk on who has played scholarship minutes. He’s an aggressive rebounder, who can hit a jump shot or two. The problem is, as the freshmen get their minutes, I expect Beyer to get squeezed out of his.

Both Devin Wilson and Malik Mueller will be victims of a crowded backfield. The former has a good build and is known as an unselfish floor leader, but he’s raw and will need time to develop.

Mueller is a bit of a freak. He’s got a large frame for a point guard and when watching his game highlights, his lack of athletic ability shows. It’s hard to see him squeezing too many minutes this coming season. If anything he should redshirt and sculpt his body some.

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