FanPost

Preview of UVA by an alum whose dad was a Syracuse alum




I have done previews before, but for those who don't know me, I grew up in downstate NY rooting for Syracuse, where my dad did his undergrad in the early 1950s. I used to listen to almost every radio cast of Orange games, starting with the season after their final four run pre-Boeheim.

Here's a preview of UVA:

(1) You know what we lost -- our three best scorers in Hunter, Jerome and Guy, as well as our pillar of (Jack) Salt, who was scoring-challenged but played strong D and set knee-crumbling screens. That's a lot to lose, which means that it's probably better to play us early in the season.

(2) Among returning players, our strength is our frontcourt and point guard. Up front, Diakite seems ready to continue the strong played he showed in March, and has worked off-season on becoming a threat behind the arc, something he needs to become a legit 1st round pick in the draft. Braxton Key is expected to also be a strong defender and rebounder as well as a bit of a playmaker from the forward spot. 7-footer Jay Huff has the highest ceiling on the team -- he has a beautiful shot behind the arc and the athleticism to punish teams that close on him too quickly. How much he progresses is critical. Justin McCoy is an underrated freshman who was offered by UNC too before selecting Virginia. Has an ACC-ready body and motor and a well-rounded game. Francisco Caffaro is a 7-foot 244 lb. bruiser in the Salt mode but with more offensive upside in the post and a little less of a mountain than Salt. He's from Argentina and redshirted last year. He's also questionable for next week after a deep thigh bruise. All in all, good, established talent and depth.

(3) Speaking of underrated, Kihei Clark was overlooked -- easy to do for a player who is just 5'9" -- until he made what I think is the greatest pass in NCAA history, the end of regulation, full-court, under-pressure, baseball throw right into the shooting pocket of Diakite for the buzzer beater. Clark is one of the country's best on-ball defender and exceptionally smart and poised on offense. UVA each year does a fitness test that pushes players to physical and mental exhaustion. The highest score of all time was earned by Malcolm Brogdon. Clark's score as a freshman was just behind. Clark was not counted on to score a lot last year but has a solid shot from behind the arc and the quickness to get to the rim. He won't be the scoring threat that Jerome was but may be even a better passer and decision maker.

(4) Lots of new faces at shooting guard and small forward and it remains to be seen who will step up. Freshman Casey Morsel may be the best bet at the 2; he is built like Russell Westbrook though a bit shorter at 6'2". Would team with Clark to form perhaps the toughest defensive backcourt in the country in terms of pressuring the ball. Able to get to the lane and basket. Shooting is decent but needs to improve. Played in one of the best high school conferences in the country, Washington DC's Catholic system. Tomas Woldetensae is a 6' 5" junior college transfer who shows promise as both a shooter and ball handler. Kody Stattmann is a 2nd year from Australia who supposedly stepped up this Fall after a quiet freshman year. Has upside as a shooter with good hands and skills but needs to adapt to the faster pace of ACC play. Could be a surprise or a non-factor.

(5) This team won't be as prolific behind the arc as recent teams after losing its three best shooters. The roster is in much more a state of flux with the 2 and 3 somewhat up for grabs. The team is likely to be less cohesive, especially early in the season. On the flip side, it could be our best front court we have had.

Good luck to you the coming season! I might make the drive for the game next week -- I am 5 hours away.