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Virginia Basketball: Virginia Cavaliers 2015-16 Season Preview

By Michael Bonaventura

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Virginia Cavaliers

2014-2015 Record: 30-4 (16-2, ACC)
Postseason: NCAA Tournament – Round of 32

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For the second time in as many seasons the Virginia Cavaliers finished first in the ACC. They were also able to put up the best record in school history with a 30-4 overall mark (16-2 in the ACC). Virginia had the highest national ranking since 1983, but fell to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament and to Michigan State in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

On April 1, associate head coach Ritchie McKay retook the head coaching job at Liberty (he previously held the head coaching job there from 2007-2009 before coming to Virginia). The Cavs quickly replaced him with Brad Soderberg from Lindenwood.

Newcomers

C – Jarred Reuter (#156 247Sports Composite)
F – Mamadi Diakite (#85 ESPN100)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 16 at George Washington – The season gets off to a quick start for the Cavaliers. Playing on the road at George Washington is never a easy task. George Washington will give you their all, no matter the opponent. With a +5.4 scoring margin the Cavs will need to be on the boards hard if they want to avoid an upset.

Dec. 1 at Ohio State – The Cavaliers will need to look for the veteran players to step up when December hits. They start off the month against a very young, yet talented, Buckeye team. The Cavs will need Gill to crash the boards hard, but they’ll also have to mix in their young talent, Reuter and Diakite. The only thing that will hinder this process is the fact that it is yet another tough road game.

Dec. 12 vs West Virginia – The Jimmy V Classic is always a tough test, for any team involved in it. It’s under the bright lights of New York City, in Madison Square Garden, and on a national stage. Both of these teams had good seasons last year, but it’s a new season, with new players. Still, both have the young talent and veterans to make this a slug fest for the ages.

Key Players

Anthony Gill – The big redshirt senior looks to be a force to be reckoned with. At six-foot-eight and 230 pounds, he has the frame of a center, but the moves of a forward. This two-way player was named to the All-ACC Third Team in 2014-2015, and looks to improve on that status this season.

Jarred Reuter – The Marion Mass. product will be coming in off the bench for Gill, and he won’ give up much in terms of talent. This freshman looks to come in and make a name for himself right away, and that’s exactly what Virginia fans will want him to do. Last year, in high school career, he only averaged eight points per game and 7.5 rebounds. However, he fits Virginia’s system well and he’ll be a nice break for starter Anthony Gill. Frontcourt depth could be an issue for the Cavs unless this freshmen (or fellow freshman Mamadi Diakite) comes up big.

Season Outlook

I’ve been waiting for this part of the process, I look for Virginia to better their ranking that they finished with last season. They were able to add two key pieces (Reuter and Diakite) to their veteran leadership. This team might have a rocky start. They have a tough first part of their schedule, and it will be tough to get off to a fast start before conference play. They do, however, have a target on their backs after finishing first in the ACC for the past two seasons.

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