Season Preview

Mike Scott

5. Virginia


2010-2011 record: 16-15 (7-9 ACC)


Games against NCAA Tournament teams: 9
Best non-conference game: 12/18 at Oregon






Projected Starting Five:


C - Assane Sene (Senior)
F - Mike Scott (Senior)
F - Joe Harris (Sophomore)
G - Sammy Zeglinski (Senior)
G - Jontel Evans (Sophomore)




There has been a lot of negativity around the UVA basketball program for so long that I think not many people realized that the Cavaliers ended up with a 7-9 record in the conference last year.  That included winning four out of their last five conference games.  And now there is a lot of optimism, with a majority of the team coming back this year.


Of course the key is forward Mike Scott.  Scott was primed to have a monster year last year, but an injury early in the season forced him to sit the rest of the way.  He was granted a medical redshirt and will be back this season.  If he can be the double-double man that he has shown the promise he can be, that will be huge for this team.


The rest of the parts aren't bad.  Last year's freshman class included some promising players, including Joe Harris, who averaged 10.4 points per game, and K.T. Harrell, who averaged 8 points per game.  Jontel Evans isn't a big scorer but is a solid point guard for Coach Tony Bennett's offense.


The non-conference schedule sets up well for success.  UVA doesn't have to hit the road until December 18th, when they have a date with Oregon.  A road game later on against LSU is a chance to win against a struggling SEC program.


I think Coach Bennett has this team in a good spot.  They are so frustrating to play against, because they slow the tempo down and force you to play their game.  Here's why I don't think their ceiling is that high: their offense is structured to run the clock down and shoot a fair amount of outside shots.  If they are shooting the ball well, they win games.  But if they aren't making their 3s, they could put up an ugly offensive number in the 30s or 40s.  I think UVA is bound to have some of those games, which could keep them from going 10-6 in the conference.  They have a decent shot of making the NCAAs, though.