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October 6th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Virginia
Cavaliers
Overall Rank:
#34
Conference
Rank: #5 ACC
2005-06:
15-15, 7-9, 7th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Virginia
lost five of their last six games and much of that can be
attributed to the tired legs of the backcourt. Sean Singletary
and J.R. Reynolds each averaged over 33 minutes per game and
appeared to have run out of gas by late February. Even with
issues of fatigue, Singletary and Reynolds supplied 34.7 points
per game, over half of the team’s production.
Who’s Out:
The
graduation of Billy Campbell and the transfer of T.J. Bannister
raise more concerns about the depth of the backcourt. Neither
could really replace Singletary or Reynolds off the bench, but
at least were experienced players. Now the Cavaliers will have
to depend on freshmen to fill most of the backcourt minutes off
the bench. Walk-ons Drew Shiembob, Mike Forkin and Matt Deasey
will not be rejoining the squad this season.
Who’s In:
The
backcourt is where the Cavs need some depth. Will Harris and
Solomon Tat have the talent to immediately fill in some minutes
on the wing. Harris has the physical tools and the outside
shooting ability to contribute the most of the freshmen. Tat
lacks the perimeter shot to be an ideal option spelling Reynolds
or Singletary, but he is a great athlete and a strong rebounder.
Jamil Tucker could see some minutes at both forward spots. The
6-9 Gary, Indiana product can step outside and hit the long
ball, but is most effective using his large wing span driving
the lane. Up front Penn transfer Ryan Pettinella and incoming
freshman Jerome Meyinnse will add depth. Pettinella averaged
4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds for the Quakers two years ago and
spent last year not playing basketball while attending Monroe
Community College in New York. Meyinnse has plenty of
potential, but hasn’t been playing basketball very long and will
need some time to develop his game. Walk-on forward Andy Burns
will also be joining the squad for the 2006-2007 campaign.
Who to Watch:
While
the flair is in the backcourt with one of the best point guards
in the nation in Singletary and an underappreciated long range
shooter in Reynolds, the frontcourt has to step up if second
year coach Dave Leitao hopes to make the NCAAs. Jason Cain,
Laurynas Mikalauskas, Adrian Joseph and Tunji Soroye all have
starting experience in the paint. Cain led the squad with 7.6
rebounds and Mikalauskas added 4.5 boards and 6.2 points per
game. Joseph is a solid scorer from anywhere on the floor, but
he is a liability on defense, which could cost him a starting
job. Soroye is a true center and the 6-11 Nigerian is a force
on the defensive end.
Final
Projection:
Mamadi Diane, a
6-5 wing, may end up starting at the small forward spot over
Joseph and handle backup duties at the shooting guard spot until
the newcomers are ready to contribute. Diane, who started 11
games a year ago, isn’t a great long range shooter, but can put
up some decent numbers in the scoring column. The newcomers,
specifically Tat and Harris will have to be productive players
off the bench by the end of the year, otherwise it will be
another difficult February and March for Virginia.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Sean Singletary,
Junior, Guard, 17.7 points per game
J.R. Reynolds,
Senior, Guard, 17.0 points per game
Mamadi Diane,
Sophomore, Guard, 6.0 points per game
Laurynas
Mikalauskas, Sophomore, Forward, 6.2 points per game
Jason Cain,
Senior, Forward, 7.4 points per game
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