THIS IS NOT MEANT TO OVERSHADOW FOOTBALL, WHICH IS ROLLING RIGHT NOW.
Brace yourselves Wahooze fans, it’s basketball season. The Hoos opened the season with a 75-38 win over South Carolina State, featuring a smothering defensive performance which made every point the Bulldogs mustered extremely difficult and contested. This season is looking the brightest for the Hoos since Sean Singletary left and took the hopes and dreams of this program with him I’m going to make a prediction here, and that is that we will make the NCAA tournament this year. I’d go as far as saying that it will be a disappointment if we don’t make it this season and will put Coach Bennett firmly on the hot seat. This is a crucial make or break season for the coach to prove whether or not his system can cut it against the athletes in the ACC. That being said the Hoos have been picked to finish 4th by the coaches in a very top heavy ACC this season. UNC is far and away the best team with Duke also separating itself. UVA is in the second teir along with teams like FSU, Virginia Tech, Miami, and Clemson. This season has a lot of reasons to make the UVA fans excited. Let’s take a look why:
The Starting 5:
Is very VERY solid. Lead by the return of Mike Scott and the emergence of Joe Harris last season the Hoos boast a nice mix of veteran presence and youth in their starting 5. Here’s the breakdown:
Point Guard: Sammy Zeglinski
Zeglinski is fully healed and ready to roll this season. Now that he is the 3rd scoring option at best on the floor it will be interesting to see how Zeglinski handles being a pass first point guard. One of my pillars of a successful college program is a strong veteran presence in the backcourt. When hot, Zeglinski can be one of the best shooters on the floor, in 2009-2010 Zeglinski won some games seemingly by himself. Without the pressure of being “the guy” Zeglinski should excel passing to the likes of Joe Harris and Mike Scott, while still drawing respect from the defense.
Shooting Guard: KT Harrell
After coming in last season with a ton of hype Harrell was relegated to the role of second fiddle to the incredible rookie season of Joe Harris. With Mustapha Farrakhan out of the picture Harrell has the chance to finally show what he can do. He will have pressure to perform though as young sharpshooter Malcolm Brogdon waits in the wings behind him. The success or failure of Harrell in this role will shape how this team looks for the future. If he plays well, Brogdon could be molded into the point guard of the future. If he falters, Brogdon could be taking his job. I’m expecting Harrell to up his play big time this season, and I think the coaches hope that is the case as well.
Small Forward: Joe Harris
The battle for touches between Mike Scott and Joe Harris should be interesting to watch. Harris is the absolute perfect fit in Coach Bennett’s system. An unselfish big man who can score from almost anywhere on the floor Harris is a matchup nightmare. With the return of Mike Scott Harris, can return to his natural position where I fully expect him to flourish. If the Hoos decide to go small, Harris can slide down to the 4 spot making a tough matchup for any true 4 to handle. Harris should build off the success of last season and have another big year this year. Look for him to be in the mix for all ACC with the likes of Harrison Barnes and Austin Rivers.
Power Forward: Mike Scott
Scott his back for what seems like his 20th season in Charlottesville and his return is HUGE. Scott brings a dominating presence under the basket that the team sorely missed last season. With the shooters UVA has having a big body down low like Scott that will command a double team every time he touches the ball makes my mouth water. He should and will be the focal point of the offense and, since he is about 29 at this point, should dominate most opponents. It has always been a question of motivation with Scott, but on a good team it will be interesting to see how he reacts. His presence does nothing but help everyone. Especially his partner in the paint.
Center: Assane Sene
The other half of the SWAT team returns for his senior season and my excitement could not be higher. After 3 seasons it finally looked like everything started to click for Sene at the end of last season. As most likely the 5th option on offense, unless Jontel Evans is out there, Sene can flourish in his role as a hustle player, tenacious rebounder, and shot blocker. I fully expect Sene to fill the stat line every night averaging 10/10/3 at least. Now that he can catch the ball look for Sene to get a ton of clean up points and maybe even kick out assists. Coach Bennett loves passing big men so you never know.
But the strength of this team is not limited to the starters. In a rare sight at UVA over the past few seasons this team is deep. I’m fully expecting a 9 or 10 man rotation from Coach Bennett. Let’s look at the key reserves:
James Johnson Power Forward Redshirt Freshman
Johnson is coming in with a lot of hype. At 6-9 238 the kid is an absolute load built almost exactly like Mike Scott. In fact that is who he is most commonly compared to. Johnson will be looked to as a primary sub for either big man off the bench, and could push Sene for the starting Center job if Sene reverts back to his previous struggles. He’s had an entire season to sit and watch, it will be interesting to see how hungry he is to get out on the floor.
Malcom Brogdon Point/Shooting Guard
Brogdon was the big haul of this year’s recruits and has a chance to be a big time force off the bench. The play of the rest of the team will determine his role but I look for him mainly to be used spelling KT Harrell at 2 or potentially playing beside him when the Hoos go small. Brogdon is a dead-eye shooter with deep range who is athletic enough to penetrate and play tough Tony Bennett defense. It will be interesting to monitor where he will play this season which will be telling for the faith Coach Bennett has in Jontel Evans at the point for next season.
Jontel Evans Point Guard/Fullback
Everyone knows Jontel’s struggles with his jumpshot. It was not uncommon to see teams give him a 5-6 foot cushion last year. Evans is a classic penetrate and pass point guard who looks to have the defense collapse on him and kick it out too shooters. Evans’ success in the program and this season will be his ability to consistently knock down shots. He is already a tremendous defender and distributer, adding a jumper will make him a legitimate ACC point guard. If not, he will continue to be the defensive replacement.
Akil Mitchell Power Forward
Mitchell will look to be used as more than an athletic big man this season. He’s been working on developing more of an offensive game instead of relying on getting mop up points in the paint. Mitchell will be used primarily as a defensive upgrade and to spell Assane Sene. Mitchell will always be a defensive enforcer and athletic rebounder but it will be interesting to see how his offensive game has developed.
That should be the main 9 man rotation this season. Freshmen Paul Jesperson and Darion Atkins may, and in my opinion should, redshirt this season.
Another note from the game was the presence of recently inked stud recruit for 2012 Justin Anderson, who mentioned that he will be at a healthy number of games this season and is very excited. This team has a very legitimate shot at cracking and staying in the top 25 this season and will only help recruiting for 2013. Notable targets are Gonzaga guard Nate Britt and Dematha Forward/Center Beejay Anya. 2014 could be wrapped up with a strong showing this season also with the commitments of the Stith brothers and Devon Hall. The future of UVA is bright and this season has the potential to be the first of many great seasons to come.
Game previews will be coming in our next post.
GO HOOS
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