Hoos in First!

Virginia basketball currently stands at a very solid 10-4 overall and an downright unbelievable 2-0 in the ACC. It's early, but we're alone in first place in the conference!

Much of the basketball team's recent success can be attributed to the natural, organic improvement of our young players. But make no mistake -- without Tony Bennett's systems and focus on playing sound defense and protecting the basketball, we'd be nowhere right now. Case in point, the 2008-2009 team went 10-18, 4-12 in the ACC. It averaged 12.4 assists to 14.8 turnovers. The Bennett-coached 2009-2010 team is currently sitting at 10-4, 2-0, and has averaged 14.1 assists against just 10.2 turnovers. Teams must beat us, instead of just waiting for us to beat ourselves.

This year's basketball team, under Coach Bennett's guidance, has become more than the sum of the parts. It has truly become a team.


Here's a quick player-by-player look at what I've seen so far this season. For a fun twist, the players are ranked in order of what I believe to be their overall value to this year's team.

1) Sylven Landesberg
Landesberg continues to be the primary go-to scorer for the team (averaging 17.4 ppg), but he has really stepped up in terms of getting his teammates involved, especially recently. His defense continues to be a liability, but his shooting percentage from the perimeter has risen dramatically to 40% (up from 31% last year.) His best asset might be his accuracy from the free throw stripe -- he's shooting 81.7% from the line, and getting there roughly six times per game. If this improvement continues, I fully expect to see Syl bolt for the NBA after this season.

2) Mike Scott
He missed a few games with a high ankle sprain, and his absence made the heart grow fonder. Scott is our best interior player, and is really our only low post scoring threat. His rebounding has always been solid, and this year he's close to averaging a double-double -- 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. The team usually struggles without Scott on the floor, so his improved defensive footwork, body control, and focus on sound positioning has really been a boon to the team. As he avoids ticky-tack fouls, he avoids leaving games prematurely, and we're able to put a reliable big man on the floor in crunch time.

3) Sam Zeglinski
Sammy is our 3rd-most valuable player? Really? I absolutely think so. One of Coach Bennett's best decisions this season has been to move Sammy over to more of a shooting guard role, freeing him from some of his ball handling duties. Sammy has drained 34 threes as a spot-up shooter so far this season, hitting from the bonusphere at a remarkable 50% clip. Best of all, his shot seems the most sure when the team needs it the most. It's always key to have a clutch three-point sniper, and that seems to have become Sammy's role with this team. His defense has also improved, and while he'll never be mistaken for a defensive stopper, he's been doing a fine job of "heating up the ball" from the point in the pack-line defense.

4) Mustapha Farrakhan
Easily our most improved player, Mu has emerged as our best on-ball defender. Coach Bennett's decision to put Mu on UAB's Elijah Millsap basically won that game for the Hoos. Additionally, Mu has stepped up as a scorer and also has seen some time running the point.

5) Jerome Meyinsse
His numbers have been modest, but his widebodied presence has been vitally important to a team that is extremely thin in the frontcourt. His defensive effort in the Georgia Tech game was a critical piece of the Cavaliers' success on Wednesday night. Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors should have been able to pound us to death, but Meyinsse prevented that from happening. He's a solid defender, a solid rebounder, and gives the team 17 solid minutes each game.

6) Jeff Jones
He's embraced his role of "instant offense" coming off the bench, and that's been a very big thing for the Hoos this season. JJ is stroking a nice 45.2% from downtown, and his confidence seems to be growing.

7) Jontel Evans
I like to think of the freshman as the straw that stirs the drink. He's always good for a lift, as he's a tenacious defender and attacks the basket on offense. As he continues to improve, I imagine he'll take over as our starting point guard, making Sammy's move to the 2 a more permanent thing.

8) Calvin Baker
Currently standing in Evans' way is the grizzled old vet, Calvin Baker. Baker earned a spot in UVA fans' doghouse by being careless with the ball and committing way too many boneheaded turnovers in the two years prior. This season, he's cleaned up his game considerably, with an impressive 31 assists against just 10 turnovers. (Compare that to last year's miserable 78 assists against 70 turnovers. Horrendous for a point guard.) Baker is finding his teammates this season, and he hasn't lost any of his unconventional scoring ability.

9) Assane Sene
His lack of progress has been frustrating, and many fans wonder why he isn't playing more. The answer is simple -- he still hasn't gotten comfortable in the pack-line. Until he does, he won't play major minutes unless matchups dictate. You have to play strong fundamental defense in order to see the floor for coach Bennett. Still, Sene has a ton of talent, shows flashes of being great, and can really block shots with the best of 'em. If the light flickers on for him, look out.

10) Will Sherrill
This walk-on has given us some solid minutes this season, and his three point shooting carried us to a comeback win over Cleveland State in Cancun. He's too slow and unathletic to play big minutes against ACC foes, but he puts forth a good effort and plays with strong fundamentals.

11) Tristan Spurlock
Like Sene, Spurlock just isn't "getting it" on the defensive end of the floor. His plus athleticism could be an asset to the team on offense, but he's too much of a defensive liability and too careless with the basketball to play for Coach Bennett. Sadly, Spurlock is a prime example of how Leitao players sometimes don't fit with Bennett's system. Don't be surprised if Spurlock transfers after this season.

The other players have only seen time in mop-up duty, so I won't bother listing them. The above eleven players are basically our team for this season.


Trying to keep my expectations in check, but winning six more games -- including one against UNC Wilmington -- would put us at 16-13 and in the NIT mix. A major step forward from last season's disaster.

(And I hate myself for thinking and typing this, but...) going .500 the rest of the way would put us at 18-11 and 9-7 in the ACC, and likely on the NCAA bubble. I seriously doubt we'll battle our way to that point, but we're really looking pretty good right now.

Saturday's game is crucial. A win over Miami would put us at 3-0 and would serve notice to the ACC: Virginia basketball is back.

The remaining schedule:
Miami
UNC Wilmington
@ Wake
Virginia Tech
@ UNC
NC State
Wake
@ Maryland
@ Virginia Tech
Florida State
@ Clemson
@ Miami
Duke
@ BC
Maryland

My prediction is that we win six more (including UNCW) to get to 16-13, 7-9 ACC heading into the ACC Tournament.

I'm really liking the progress we're making under Coach Bennett.

GO HOOS!