Wahoo Wire

Virginia Cavaliers

Last Season:

Overall: 16-15

ACC: 7-9

Postseason: None

What they lost:

The Wahoos come into the 2011-2012 campaign having lost three players from last season’s squad: seniors Mustapha Farrakhan and Will Sherrill to graduation and freshman Will Regan to transfer.  Farrakhan, a captain and starter, led Virginia in both minutes (30.8) and points per game (13.5) in 2010-2011, stepping into a larger, more leadership-oriented role in his last year in blue and orange.  Fellow captain, Will Sherrill, had his senior season dampened by recurring injuries, yet still managed to provide a spark on the court in the limited minutes that he did play.  Regan, who came to Charlottesville as part of Tony Bennett’s highly touted first recruiting class, saw action in 20 games last season, averaging just 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game.  Due in part to his small role on the court and a desire to play closer to his family, Regan opted to transfer to his hometown University of Buffalo.

What they gained:

Simply said, experience.  With a roster halfway composed of true freshman, Virginia’s young guns were “baptized by fire” throughout the 2010-2011 season.  While they may have suffered some growing pains along the way, now sophomore players Joe Harris, KT Harrell, and Akil Mitchell got some invaluable experience last year and will have benefited greatly with another offseason of training under their belt.  Add to that the return of senior forward Mike Scott and Virginia is poised for big things in 2011-2012.  Scott, who was averaging a double-double before suffering a season ending ankle injury in December, was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA and returns for what will be his sixth year in Charlottesville.

Virginia also boasts a 2011 recruiting class that features the Wisconsin and Georgia Gatorade Players of the Year in Paul Jesperson and Malcolm Brogdon, respectively.  Joining them is 6’8” big man Darion Atkins from the Landon School, who is expected to see playing time in the frontcourt backing up Mike Scott and Akil Mitchell.

Summary:

In his third season at the helm of the Virginia basketball program, head coach Tony Bennett finally looks poised to lead the Wahoos to the NCAA Tournament in 2011-2012.  All the pieces are there – experience, size, athleticism, and talent – and if the Cavaliers remain healthy and adhere to their patented pack-line defense, they should turn some heads and finish near the top of the ACC.  Anything less than a trip to the Big Dance would be a disappointment to a hungry and optimistic fan base.