QUOTE="Peacone36, post: 595935, member: 1374"]I don’t understand the Virginia love right now. I know Bennett is a great coach and that style levels the field a little bit but that roster was decimated. 78% of their made triples are gone, 56% of their free throws and 55% of their minutes played.
I have State and the Irish both ahead of the Wahoos right now until I see Morsell and the JUCO play at the D1 level.
My rankings:
1-Louisville
2-Duke
3-UNC
4-Notre Dame
5-NCST
6-UVA
7-FSU
8-GT
9-Miami
10-Syracuse
11-BC
12-Clemson
13-Pitt
14-Wake
15-VPI[/QUOTE]
I'm a Virginia fan, and I am a bit unsure about the upcoming season. You're right that Virginia lost a lot, however the losses were primarily in the back court. Despite the graduation of Salt, the front court looks to be stronger. The return of Diakite is huge. Also, if the past is any indication, the RS 3rd year, under Bennett, is typically the one where players really emerge. It's an unknown, but Huff does appear to be on that threshold. Caffaro is intriguing as is Kadin Shedrick. The real key, as you note, will be the contributions of Woldetensae and Morsell. There's serious potential there, but is is unproven. The back court lacks depth. If those two aren't ready, the team will have issues. Clark, despite his starts, is still something of a situational role player. He is great between the foul circles, but has issues below them. Especially against some teams. Somehow, Bennett is going to have to cobble some sort of production in the back court from Stattmann, Badocchi, McKoy, and/or Key, but that will depend on Woldetensae and Morsell being firmly in the equation, IMO. All in all, no real reasons for despair, but lots of unknowns, too