Virginia Basketball Predictions

Posted by Jack Jones - Google+

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2010-11 Results:

Overall: 16-15 (11-6 H, 4-6 A, 1-3 N)
ACC: 7-9 (4-4 H, 3-5 A)
Conference Tournament: 0-1, lost in first round
Postseason: None

The Cavaliers made some progress last year, winning one more game overall and two more in ACC play than in 2009-10. The squad seemed to lack some consistency, as it never could get a good rhythm going – it did win five straight games early to get to 8-3 but then lost seven of nine later and ultimately fell in overtime in the first round of the ACC tournament. With head coach Tony Bennett heading into this third year, expectations are raised a little higher with the experience that will be returning in 2011-12.

Returning Starters

Jontel Evans
Joe Harris
Assane Sene
Sammy Zeglinski

Returning Lettermen

KT Harrell
Akil Mitchell
Mike Scott

Other Returning Players

Doug Browman
Thomas Rogers

Newcomers

Darion Atkins
Malcolm Brogdon
Paul Jesperson
James Johnson

Head Coach

Tony Bennett, third year

Key Losses

Mustapha Farrakhan is the only starter lost from last year’s team. He was second on the team in scoring (13.5 ppg) and assists (57) while leading the team in free throws made (104) and attempted (134) and ranking second in percentage (78 percent).

Will Sherrill started 13 games and averaged 19 minutes, 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while leading the team in 3-point accuracy (44 percent).

Schedule

2011-12 Preview

Four starters and seven significant contributors overall return this year, and with the incremental steps taken the last couple of years, the expectation within the conference is that Virginia should be in the top half, as it was ranked fourth in the league’s preseason poll.

Backcourt

Three of the four top returners from last year’s guard corps were starters and the fourth was one of the top six scorers. This group will likely be the strength of the Cavaliers this year with their combined experience.

Sophomore Joe Harris is the top returner, leading the team in 3-pointers (65 made, 42 percent) while finishing third in scoring (10.4 ppg), rebound average (4.4 pg) and steals (27).

Sophomore KT Harrell finished fourth on the team in scoring (8.0 ppg) and shot 42 percent from beyond the arc.

Junior Jontel Evans led the team in assists (109) and steals (40) while averaging 5.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.

Senior Sammy Zeglinski was second in steals (32), third in assists (54) while listing fifth in scoring (7.8 ppg) and fourth in rebound average (3.1 pg).

Frontcourt

In terms of experience, the frontline is looking a little thin in terms of numbers with signficiant minutes, but at least two of these players were starters and had major contributions to last year’s team – thus should be the leaders this year.

Senior Mike Scott was granted an additional year of eligibility for medical reasons. In 10 games last year, he started nine and led the team in scoring (16 ppg) and rebounding (10.2 pg) while shooting 88 percent from the f our line (53-59).

Senior Assane Sene was tops in blocked shots (39), second in rebounding (5.5 pg) and shot a team-best 53 percent from the floor.
Akil Mitchell played 15 minutes per game off the bench, tallying 2.4 points and three rebounds per contest, shooting just 34 percent from the field.

Other Resources on Cavalier Basketball:

• The Sabre

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About the Author: Jack Jones has been ranked in the Top-5 on the Overall Leaderboard for almost all of 2012 here at BetFirm. He has climbed as high as No. 2 while competing against roughly 80 of the best handicappers in the world. He finished as the No. 6 Ranked Basketball Handicapper from 2011-12, which combines pro and college hoops. His $1,000/game basketball players cashed in $22,310 last season. Head on over to Jack's premium pick page to see what he has in store for tonight!

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