Random thoughts on Virginia Basketball...
At 14-7/5-3, we're still on the outside looking in at the NCAA Tournament. We really needed to win either the VT or Wake game, both of which we agonizingly lost in OT. The remaining schedule [@UMD, @VT, FSU, @Clemson, @Miami, Duke, @BC, UMD] provides ample opportunity for resume-type wins. But make no mistake: if the Hoos are going dancing this season, the home game against Duke on Feb. 28th is a MUST-WIN.
I'd say the magic number for an NCAA Tournament berth is five, but that five must include the above-mentioned Duke win. Without beating Duke, I'd say the magic number is six. I know an ACC team that finished 10-6 in the conference has missed the tournament before... once. An 11-5 team should be a lock.
My depth chart guess for next season, assuming Landesberg returns for his junior season:
1) Evans / Zeglinski / Farrakhan
2) Zeglinski / KT Harrell / Farrakhan / Jones / Harris
3) Landesberg / Harrell / Spurlock / Harris / Jones
4) Scott / Sherrill / Regan / Johnson / Spurlock
5) Sene / Johnson / Regan
NCAA Tournament or bust.
If we lose Landesberg, I'm not sure we can effectively replace his ~18 ppg unless 4-star shooting guard recruit K.T. Harrell comes in as advertised, Zeglinski continues to improve as a go-to outside shooter, and Evans picks up his scoring ability. We're already facing an offensive downgrade at the center position, with Meyinsse graduating. I'm not sure I think a starting lineup of Evans-Zeglinski-Harrell-Scott-Sene (or Johnson or Regan) is especially NCAA Tourney-worthy... and sadly, Coach Bennett probably needs to make the Big Dance either this year or next in order to hold the fan base's interest.
No comments:
Post a Comment