By Aidan Joly
It can be slow. It can be ugly. It can be boring. But, it’s good. Tony Bennett has built Virginia into one of the best programs in the country with that defensive philosophy that propels them to success. And don’t forget, they’re the defending champions heading into the 2020-21 season.
The 2019-20 version of the team, however, was different from the 2018-19 team that led them to a title. The defense last year led the country for the third straight year in scoring while being one of the worst offenses in the country. In 2018-19, the offense led by Kyle Guy, D’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome was the fourth-best in the country. The scoring just wasn’t there in 2019-20, but this year’s squad more resembles the 2018-19 team, despite the departures of Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key from last year, but probably the best sit-out transfer from last year joins and a highly-touted freshman class makes them scary.
Let’s start with the frontcourt. Like I just said, Sam Hauser was probably the best sit-out transfer after coming in from Marquette. He averaged 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Golden Eagles two years ago as they were one of the best teams in the Big East. He is dangerous from three-point range, a type of piece that the Cavaliers just didn’t have last year. He’ll be the guy at the four.
The top freshman coming in will start at the three, Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Abdur-Rahim in the No. 37 ranked prospect according to 247 Sports after averaging 32 points per game last year at Blair Academy in New Jersey. He is also a great defender, so despite the fact that Bennett doesn’t like to put freshmen in the starting lineup, he is the best option here.
The man in the middle will once again be Jay Huff, the 7-1 center who averaged 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in just under 25 minutes per game last year. With the departure of Diakite, Huff is sure to have a larger role. On top of his good shooting, where he shot 35.8% from three last year, he is also a great shot blocker, where he averaged a pair of blocks per game, fourth in the ACC. He will be one of the leaders on defense.
Four guys will get playing time off the bench. Kody Stattman is back after averaging 3.6 PPG, as well as Francisco Caffaro and Justin McKoy after they had very limited roles last year, but may have larger ones. The last is a freshman, Kadin Shedrick.
In the backcourt, Kihei Clark will start at point guard. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game last year, one of the best point guards in the league. However, they relied on him too much with 37 minutes per game. It showed as he would get tired during games and his stats would show that. His turnovers per game skyrocketed from one to 3.8 per game. As a floor leader, however, Clark is as good as it gets. A year older, he can be a guy who is a primary focus point. This is why freshman Reece Beekman, the No. 66 ranked prospect from 247, is probably the most important for Bennett. If he plays like he’s supposed to, he can give Clark breathers and allow Bennett to have two ball-handlers on the floor at the same time.
In the other guard spot, look at Casey Morsell again. He was a major get for Bennett in the 2019 class but he hasn’t played up to his potential yet, averaging just 4.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game last year and had a dreadful 27.7% field goal percentage, by far the worst of the key contributors. He showed flashes of competency last year but will be carrying a load of minutes this year. He is a guy they have to rely on to improve. If not, his minutes will slip.
If Morsell doesn’t work out, they have options. Senior Thomas Woldetensae is solid, averaging 6.6 PPG last year, as well as freshman Carson McCorkle, a top 150 prospect, may see some minutes. We will have to see how he looks coming off of foot surgery, though. However, he is a great shooter, almost 55% in high school. As mentioned before, Beekman could get some minutes at the two as well.
If the expected offensive transformation works out, this team will look very similar to the 18-19 team. They won’t be as talented as that team was, but it’s realistic to say they will make a deep tournament run and compete to be college basketball’s first repeat champion since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
AJ Hoops 