All right, it's time for a look ahead to the next Virginia basketball season. Earlier in April, the team picked up a transfer, Nigel Johnson, from Rutgers. There was the thought that UVa would find another transfer, but that might not happen, or at least hasn't happened yet. So I'm going to go ahead with this post, and then I'll just post later about anymore offseason developments.
Unlike last year, it didn't look like there would be much change coming this offseason with the loss of just one senior. But that changed with a trio of transfers and the addition of at least one new player, not to mention two redshirts who will be eligible and a true freshman who could see time. Let's get to it:
It'll be time for someone else to lead the team. London Perrantes, who started nearly every game in his four years at Virginia, is graduating, leaving a leadership void he filled on the court as the point guard. Of course, two years ago, Malcolm Brogdon was a co-leader. There was no doubt who the leader would be this past season. But now it is up in the air. The team was set to have four seniors -- Devon Hall, Isaiah Wilkins, Marial Shayok, and Darius Thompson -- which would've been quite the core of veterans, but the last two in that list transferred (forward Jarred Reuter was the third). Hall and Wilkins are certainly capable. They've both started a lot of games the past two seasons, giving them the experience and wisdom necessary. Hall is quieter, but Wilkins possesses a boisterous personality and injects a lot of energy into the team. When he went out at the end of the year with whatever sickness he had, it definitely affected the team. He has been working out in the offseason, and it seems like he will be good to go for his final year, which is great news for the team and fans. In addition to those two, it certainly seems like also in line to lead are Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy. Jerome is set to be the starting point guard and, at times, already had the look of a veteran when on the floor. No one will forget the way he took over on Virginia's final offensive possession against Villanova as a true freshman and took his guy, one-on-one, to the rim to the tie the game. Guy's personality, like Wilkins and Justin Anderson from a couple years ago, shines, and he seems like a natural leader. He will also be a big part of the offense, and it just makes sense he should lead.
How will Nigel Johnson fit in on the team? Johnson, the transfer from Rutgers, averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.2 steals for Rutgers this past season. He especially played well down the stretch on offense. He fills a big need for UVa with Shayok and Thompson exiting, so he should be able to get minutes right away. Obviously, understanding the defense and playing hard on that end of the floor is always a big deal at Virginia, so that will factor into playing time decisions for him. I really doubt that he starts, but the absence of a true backup point guard and the loss of the two transfers means there's playing time to be had. He wasn't an excellent shooter, but he should get some good looks depending on who he's playing with. Teams will certainly focus on Guy and Jerome a lot, and if UVa gets more down low scoring, that will help, too.
Which brings me to my next point on scoring in the post. As has been discussed ad nauseum, Virginia really could have used some scoring in the paint this season and the dismissal of Austin Nichols ended up being a big hit for the team. Who will step up? Last year, the team had to adjust on the fly. This year, the Cavaliers will have a whole offseason to develop a post offense. Jack Salt made a few strides but is still pretty awkward around the basket. Mamadi Diakite has athleticism off the charts but just needs to harness it somehow, learn to use it, a bit like Anderson had to. Diakite could be very special once he understands the game more and oh, stops passing the ball when he's two feet away from the basket. Go up for the dunk young buck! He did not really show an array of post moves in his first season, though, and showed more of a face-up, athletic-type game and also shot decently well from the paint. Wilkins is a great junkyard dog. He plays excellent defense and can rebound and block shots. He can also hit an open 15-footer, but he won't be a big-time back-to-the-basket player. And then there's Jay Huff. The 7-footer sat out this year so he could bulk up. There seems to be great debate among Virginia fans for what role he will play. Supposedly he has a mean streak and a developing down low game. He also can hit 3-pointers. Most of us don't know what to expect. But the prospects are exciting if he can both put together both an outside and inside game. That would really open up the offense. I'm not sure where it'll come from, but I think we all know that UVa needs to find more down low scoring next season.
What kind of player will Marco Anthony be? You might have forgotten that Virginia got one commitment last summer for this upcoming class of 2017 since, before the transfers, Perrantes was going to be the only departing Cavalier. That spot went to Marco Anthony, a combo guard/forward from Texas. He's 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, and has the body of Brogdon or Anderson, meaning it already looks like he's ready for the NBA. He was not a highly regarded recruit, but Tony Bennett
has been great at developing under-the-radar guys in the past, so this is another opportunity for that to happen. Anthony would've been a good candidate to redshirt behind Hall, Thompson, Shayok, Guy, and Jerome, but now he could very well be needed for depth. Plus, it sounds like he is versatile and can play many positions and guard them, too.
Can Guy and Jerome take the next steps as they develop? As I already touched on a little, these two guys are set to become bigger leaders for the team. They both showed great flashes this past season but both must improve in certain areas. Guy noticed late in the season he must show great effort on the defensive side of the floor to get major minutes. He also appeared to rush his shots at times. He's a little short at 6-3, so he must work a little harder to get open. He needs to watch Joe Harris tape in the offseason and see how hard he worked to get open. That might make his job easier once he catches the ball. When Guy was open this year from behind the 3-point line, he was deadly. He also showed some nice passes on drives to the basket, and I hope he's able to expand that part of his game. Jerome had to recover from hip surgery last offseason, and that might have affected him early but he certainly got stronger as the year progressed. As I alluded to, his coming out party was the Villanova game, when he led the team with 15 points. He also scored in double figures against Duke, Pittsburgh twice, and Notre Dame. He shot almost 40 percent from 3 and shot it from almost anywhere with a quick trigger. I feel like better shot selection would make his percentage even higher. Of course, he will need to develop his overall point guard game, and that should come with more time. He needs to get quicker on the defensive end, as he struggled to stay in front of players and also got into foul trouble at times.
Don't forget about DeAndre Hunter. The 6-7 wing player redshirted this past season along with Huff. It's certainly possible that a couple of Virginia's most capable offensive players were on the bench in 2016-17. If that's the case, these guys could really cure some of the offensive ills from this past season. I already talked
about Huff. Hunter is able to shoot the 3 and can also drive to the basket. The 'Hoos could've really used some forceful penetrators this year. If Hunter can bring some of that versatility to the floor, he will be a real asset on offense.
Does the offense needs to change? There was lots of angst, especially toward the end of the year, about Virginia's offense this past season. UVa had been called "bad for basketball" other years, but those people, frankly, didn't know what they were talking about. The Cavaliers also had people praise them and say their offense was beautiful. Indeed, it was quite efficient. This year, it was not quite as efficient. Still not that bad, but not as crisp as it had been. The lack of a second go-to scorer -- UVa had capable players but no one consistently stepped up -- and a post presence definitely played into this. Still, the assistant coaches and Bennett have both alluded to the fact that the offense might need to be tweaked in the offseason. The thought is that the Florida loss, in which the Wahoos mustered just 39 points, hurt Bennett and he saw, on a big stage, that more was needed on the offensive end. It's certainly possible that the adjusting the team had to do on the fly when a probable leading scorer was kicked off the team after the second game of the season played a major role and everything will be back to normal next year. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to maybe look at what else could've gone wrong as well and make some changes.
This year was a step back based on what the team did from 2013-16. But it still pretty much met expectations after the early-season developments. A Sweet 16 bid was always to going to be a ceiling. Unfortunately, the offense never quite turned the corner and never fully made up for the loss of Nichols. There will be new players and maybe new schemes next year, so it's going to be another unpredictable but exciting season as we watch how the players and team develop.
Unlike last year, it didn't look like there would be much change coming this offseason with the loss of just one senior. But that changed with a trio of transfers and the addition of at least one new player, not to mention two redshirts who will be eligible and a true freshman who could see time. Let's get to it:
 |
| Isaiah Wilkins could be the heart and soul of the team next year. |
It'll be time for someone else to lead the team. London Perrantes, who started nearly every game in his four years at Virginia, is graduating, leaving a leadership void he filled on the court as the point guard. Of course, two years ago, Malcolm Brogdon was a co-leader. There was no doubt who the leader would be this past season. But now it is up in the air. The team was set to have four seniors -- Devon Hall, Isaiah Wilkins, Marial Shayok, and Darius Thompson -- which would've been quite the core of veterans, but the last two in that list transferred (forward Jarred Reuter was the third). Hall and Wilkins are certainly capable. They've both started a lot of games the past two seasons, giving them the experience and wisdom necessary. Hall is quieter, but Wilkins possesses a boisterous personality and injects a lot of energy into the team. When he went out at the end of the year with whatever sickness he had, it definitely affected the team. He has been working out in the offseason, and it seems like he will be good to go for his final year, which is great news for the team and fans. In addition to those two, it certainly seems like also in line to lead are Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy. Jerome is set to be the starting point guard and, at times, already had the look of a veteran when on the floor. No one will forget the way he took over on Virginia's final offensive possession against Villanova as a true freshman and took his guy, one-on-one, to the rim to the tie the game. Guy's personality, like Wilkins and Justin Anderson from a couple years ago, shines, and he seems like a natural leader. He will also be a big part of the offense, and it just makes sense he should lead.
How will Nigel Johnson fit in on the team? Johnson, the transfer from Rutgers, averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.2 steals for Rutgers this past season. He especially played well down the stretch on offense. He fills a big need for UVa with Shayok and Thompson exiting, so he should be able to get minutes right away. Obviously, understanding the defense and playing hard on that end of the floor is always a big deal at Virginia, so that will factor into playing time decisions for him. I really doubt that he starts, but the absence of a true backup point guard and the loss of the two transfers means there's playing time to be had. He wasn't an excellent shooter, but he should get some good looks depending on who he's playing with. Teams will certainly focus on Guy and Jerome a lot, and if UVa gets more down low scoring, that will help, too.
 |
| The offensive possibilities for Jay Huff are exciting. |
Which brings me to my next point on scoring in the post. As has been discussed ad nauseum, Virginia really could have used some scoring in the paint this season and the dismissal of Austin Nichols ended up being a big hit for the team. Who will step up? Last year, the team had to adjust on the fly. This year, the Cavaliers will have a whole offseason to develop a post offense. Jack Salt made a few strides but is still pretty awkward around the basket. Mamadi Diakite has athleticism off the charts but just needs to harness it somehow, learn to use it, a bit like Anderson had to. Diakite could be very special once he understands the game more and oh, stops passing the ball when he's two feet away from the basket. Go up for the dunk young buck! He did not really show an array of post moves in his first season, though, and showed more of a face-up, athletic-type game and also shot decently well from the paint. Wilkins is a great junkyard dog. He plays excellent defense and can rebound and block shots. He can also hit an open 15-footer, but he won't be a big-time back-to-the-basket player. And then there's Jay Huff. The 7-footer sat out this year so he could bulk up. There seems to be great debate among Virginia fans for what role he will play. Supposedly he has a mean streak and a developing down low game. He also can hit 3-pointers. Most of us don't know what to expect. But the prospects are exciting if he can both put together both an outside and inside game. That would really open up the offense. I'm not sure where it'll come from, but I think we all know that UVa needs to find more down low scoring next season.
What kind of player will Marco Anthony be? You might have forgotten that Virginia got one commitment last summer for this upcoming class of 2017 since, before the transfers, Perrantes was going to be the only departing Cavalier. That spot went to Marco Anthony, a combo guard/forward from Texas. He's 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, and has the body of Brogdon or Anderson, meaning it already looks like he's ready for the NBA. He was not a highly regarded recruit, but Tony Bennett
 |
| Marco Anthony already looks good in orange and blue. |
Can Guy and Jerome take the next steps as they develop? As I already touched on a little, these two guys are set to become bigger leaders for the team. They both showed great flashes this past season but both must improve in certain areas. Guy noticed late in the season he must show great effort on the defensive side of the floor to get major minutes. He also appeared to rush his shots at times. He's a little short at 6-3, so he must work a little harder to get open. He needs to watch Joe Harris tape in the offseason and see how hard he worked to get open. That might make his job easier once he catches the ball. When Guy was open this year from behind the 3-point line, he was deadly. He also showed some nice passes on drives to the basket, and I hope he's able to expand that part of his game. Jerome had to recover from hip surgery last offseason, and that might have affected him early but he certainly got stronger as the year progressed. As I alluded to, his coming out party was the Villanova game, when he led the team with 15 points. He also scored in double figures against Duke, Pittsburgh twice, and Notre Dame. He shot almost 40 percent from 3 and shot it from almost anywhere with a quick trigger. I feel like better shot selection would make his percentage even higher. Of course, he will need to develop his overall point guard game, and that should come with more time. He needs to get quicker on the defensive end, as he struggled to stay in front of players and also got into foul trouble at times.
Don't forget about DeAndre Hunter. The 6-7 wing player redshirted this past season along with Huff. It's certainly possible that a couple of Virginia's most capable offensive players were on the bench in 2016-17. If that's the case, these guys could really cure some of the offensive ills from this past season. I already talked
 |
| DeAndre Hunter could really bring a nice dimension to the offense in 2017-18. |
Does the offense needs to change? There was lots of angst, especially toward the end of the year, about Virginia's offense this past season. UVa had been called "bad for basketball" other years, but those people, frankly, didn't know what they were talking about. The Cavaliers also had people praise them and say their offense was beautiful. Indeed, it was quite efficient. This year, it was not quite as efficient. Still not that bad, but not as crisp as it had been. The lack of a second go-to scorer -- UVa had capable players but no one consistently stepped up -- and a post presence definitely played into this. Still, the assistant coaches and Bennett have both alluded to the fact that the offense might need to be tweaked in the offseason. The thought is that the Florida loss, in which the Wahoos mustered just 39 points, hurt Bennett and he saw, on a big stage, that more was needed on the offensive end. It's certainly possible that the adjusting the team had to do on the fly when a probable leading scorer was kicked off the team after the second game of the season played a major role and everything will be back to normal next year. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to maybe look at what else could've gone wrong as well and make some changes.
This year was a step back based on what the team did from 2013-16. But it still pretty much met expectations after the early-season developments. A Sweet 16 bid was always to going to be a ceiling. Unfortunately, the offense never quite turned the corner and never fully made up for the loss of Nichols. There will be new players and maybe new schemes next year, so it's going to be another unpredictable but exciting season as we watch how the players and team develop.
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