Virginia Cavaliers Face Challenges of Blending New Faces After Mass Exodus of Players

The losses saved coming for Virginia after final season.

Seven gamers left this system following a 68-67 loss to Thirteenth-seeded Furman within the first spherical of the NCAA Match.

Three had been anticipated as Kihei Clark, Jayden Gardner and Ben Vander Plas had exhausted their eligibility, however the remainder weren’t. Guard Armaan Franklin made himself accessible for the NBA draft, and prized freshman Isaac Traudt, who redshirted, ended up transferring together with large males Francisco Caffaro and Kadin Shedrick.

The retooled Cavaliers are unranked to start out the season for the primary time since 2017-18 and have extra newcomers than holdovers.

Guard Reece Beekman virtually made it eight departures, however after testing the NBA waters, the Atlantic Coast Convention defensive participant of the 12 months is again, together with guards Isaac McKneely and Ryan Dunn, who each performed extensively final season, extremely regarded Leon Bond III, who redshirted, and Taine Murray.

Newcomers embody Jake Groves, a 6-foot-9 graduate switch ahead from Oklahoma, level guard Dante Harris, a junior switch from Georgetown, capturing guard Andrew Rohde, a sophomore switch from St. Thomas (Minn.), and 5 freshmen. It presents coach Tony Bennett and his employees with a tall order to carry the staff collectively and train the finer factors of the Cavaliers’ signature Pack-Line protection.

The expertise introduced by the transfers figures to assist considerably.

BEEKMAN’S TEAM

Beekman typically took a again seat to Clark when each had been on the ground, however has improved yearly. He’s a fierce defender and averaged 9.5 factors and 5.3 assists per recreation. It’s his staff now, particularly with McKneely extra suited to capturing guard and Dunn prone to see time as an off-guard and ahead because the Cavaliers search for extra dimension.

NEWCOMERS

A trio of gamers shall be wanted to contribute straight away, maybe as starters.

Groves began 34 video games for Oklahoma over the previous two seasons, averaging 6.8 factors final 12 months and hitting 38% from 3 with 9 video games in double figures.

Harris is a speedy on-ball defender very like Clark was at Virginia, His capturing is a piece in progress, however he drives and kicks nicely and, as a sophomore, averaged 11.9 factors with 118 assists (4.0) and 44 steals.

Rohde averaged 17.1 factors and three.7 assists and was the highest freshman within the Summit League and a primary staff All-Summit League choice final season.

SHOOTERS

Moreover McKneely, who hit 51 3s on 39% capturing, the remainder of the returning Cavaliers made solely 34 3s and none shot higher than Beekman’s 35%. Groves and Rohde, particularly, shall be requested to assist make it arduous for groups to key on these two.

FRESHMEN

The first one to look at figures to be Blake Buchanan, who led his staff to the Idaho state championship final season, averaging 15.2 factors, 9.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and three assists. Precedence one for him: studying Pack-Line particulars.

SCHEDULE