Dear Old U.Va.

Clearing the Bench

Monday, November 10 2008 by Ben

(Note: I did not get to attend the exhibition game against Sheperd, so these are my observations based on last season.  Regardless, it's next to impossible to watch one preseason game and foresee exactly how the rotation will go.  However, if it is a good indicator, then perhaps I've short sold Farrakhan and oversold Brandenburg.  Alas.)

The always thorough, always enjoyable Tiki shall be leading you all through a preview of the starters on the Wahoos.   Today, I'm plumbing the dank, clammy regions of the depth chart.  Perhaps we'll come across Shawn Wilson's shoes, Dirk Katstra's socks, or the lighter that Andy Burns used to ignite his hair.

It only seems natural that we begin with #1, sophomore Jeff Jones.  Jones began last season with a bang; he torched Arizona in the season opener racking up 15 points from three.  That's probably the only game that Jones probably wishes to remember from that season, because he played terrifically the rest of the way.  I mean that in the archaic sense of the term, as in "causing terror."  Jones had abysmal season on offense.  Everything you can do wrong with the ball, Jones did it: he turned the ball over (TO percentage = 24%), he didn't shoot it well (eFG percentage = 42%), and his offensive rebounding stats are marginal, at best.

This year, however, Jones and his stats will improve. He'll be a year older (huge for a rising sophomore). He's going to benefit from the absence of Sean Singletary's ball-dominating ways and find himself a spot within the offense.  I also think that having him come off the bench is a good idea.  There's no starting spot for him to lose, reducing the pressure he might feel.  Jones has the game - he showed that much in fleeting moments last year - he's finally in a situation to succeed.

Like Jones, Jamil Tucker played brilliantly against Arizona, even becoming one of Seth Davis' "Sophomores to Watch" (In hindsight, Seth, that was an overreaction to just one game).  Given those lofty expectations, Tucker's season was somewhat of a disappointment.  He definitely played well in a number of games: he had 13 points on 7 shots in 21 minutes against Georgia Tech and 14 points on 6 shots in 20 minutes against Miami.

The knock against Tucker is that he's a tweener.  I'm not sure I (or Dave Leitao) really know what to do with this kid.  He's listed at 6"8', shoots a solid clip from 2 and 3 (37%), rarely goes to the free throw line (a FT rate of 18% - we're not talking 2006-2007 Adrian Joseph, but still, it's bad), plays decent post defense, and clears the defensive glass well. 

With the newly arrived twin towers, John Brandenburg and Assane Sene, and returning starter Tunji Soroye taking over spots/minutes he played last year, where does he go on the depth chart?  Is he quick enough to guard the small forward position? Unfortunately, he's going to be lost in the shuffle, I'd think. 

Virginia fans have reason to be excited about those twin towers. I won't say that John Calvin Brandenburg is predestined to become a star, but he could be very good.  He's listed at 6'11" and averaged 13 points per game in high school.  I've also heard that he jumps so high, he's making his own anti-gravity chambers.

Reports indicate that Assane Sene is a tad more "raw" offensively than Brandenburg.  No matter. Dave Leitao has finally shored up the interior with some taller gentlemen.  The primary (and woefully underreported) reason for last year's difficult season is that Virginia basically had almost no interior defense.  Trolling the middle was Ryan Pettinella, Mike Scott, Jamil Tucker, and Lars Mikalaskaus - not exactly murderer's row there.

This season should be different.  Unlike offense, defense is primarily about hustle and, if you're athletic enough,  timing.  As a result, expect Sene and Brandenburg to contribute defensively before you see any offensive dividends.  Hopefully, Leitao's defensive schemes will cover up the deficiencies that I foresee on the offensive end.

There's three players left: Solomon Tat, Mustafa Farrakhan, and Jerome Meyinsse. Solomon Tat  was injured for 11 games last year.  He's a big strong defender that might see an increase in playing time if Baker elects to have surgery on his ankle.  He also possesses the most aesthetically pleasing name.  I love saying "Solomon Tat."  I watched Farrakhan play against Elon in person.  He looked hesitant, but there was a modicum of talent there.  Finally, Jerome Meyinsse played in 26 games last year, but will probably be relegated to end of the bench this season.