We continue our recruit and return series with the Virginia Cavaliers, whose season ended Saturday with a loss to Florida in the East Region. Here is a look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five
G: Kyle Guy
G: Devon Hall
Who is lost: There’s only one scholarship senior on the roster for coach Tony Bennett, but it will be a big loss. London Perrantes entered Virginia as an unheralded high school recruit from the West Coast but became one of the best point guards in the country during his Virginia career. As a senior, he became the team’s go-to scorer out of necessity, and he ended up leading the team in scoring. He won’t be easy to replace.
Who is added: Bennett alternates big and small recruiting classes a lot of the time, so he has only one incoming freshman. Marco Anthony is an under-the-radar prospect from San Antonio, but he’s tough and has a big, strong body at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds. He’ll help on the defensive end early. Bennett also redshirted two former ESPN 100 recruits this past season: Philadelphia wing De'Andre Hunter and Durham big man Jay Huff. Hunter could help at both ends of the floor, while Huff should bring a different dimension up front.
What it means for next season: Losing Perrantes shouldn’t be overlooked. He was clearly the Cavaliers’ best player this past season, and at times he was the only player who could get a basket when it mattered. On the plus side, the rest of the rotation returns: Thompson and Hall in the backcourt, Shayok on the wing and Wilkins up front. All four players played starter minutes. Jack Salt brought physicality and toughness to the post, while Jarred Reuter and Mamadi Diakite helped down low. The two key names next season will be Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome. As freshmen, Guy and Jerome brought much-needed energy and scoring at different times throughout the season. Next season, one of them will likely have to step up and be the go-to-guy. Guy is more explosive. Jerome is a better shooter. If both of them take big strides, Bennett will have a backcourt that can score with any in the ACC.
Trending: Down. Virginia’s lack of offensive playmakers was clear in the second half of the ACC season, and the Cavaliers are now losing their best player. Defense will continue to be there under Bennett, but the offense needs to improve in a big way.