Virginia Tech Basketball: Analyzing the Hokies’ rotation for 2018-19

Power Forward

Minutes Allocation (40 total): Kerry Blackshear (12), PJ Horne (8) and Chris Clarke (22)

If I had to pick one player from this team to have a breakout campaign it would be Blackshear. After missing an entire season due to injury, the 6’10 big man came back to average 12.5 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 25 mpg. He had to deal with being the only player on the roster over 6’7 last year while coming back from a serious setback.

One reason why I like Blackshear to do well is that he’s playing at his natural position at the four-spot. He’s not a shot blocker or a rim protector on defense and was prone to foul trouble. As a power forward he’ll take on undersized forwards and take advantage of them while being in a better position to succeed on the defensive end.

Horne was a solid contributor as a freshman last season, chipping in with a few points and rebounds in 11 mpg. I project him to be a role player as a forward from this point forward with his production going up over his four years at Virginia Tech. Due to more talent coming in than going out, Horne might see his minutes slip through no fault of his own.

Blackshear will start as a power forward, splitting his time between the four and five-spots. Clarke could ultimately get the most minutes at this position but I see him better served coming off the bench. More on him in a bit.