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NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that will exceed expectations in 2019-20

By Donovan Darlington

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers handles the ball on offense against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers handles the ball on offense against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Virginia Cavaliers

2018-19 Record: 35-3

Now let’s talk about the defending NCAA National Champions.

Lots of the analysts are labeling this as a rebuilding year for the Cavaliers. They just are not convinced that there is a lot left in the tank for Virginia to have another magical season. I disagree. Let’s not forget that this is a Tony Bennett squad… He will take care of what needs to be taken care of and figure out what needs to be figured out.

The losses of their top three scorers, Kyle Guy, De’Andre Hunter, and Ty Jerome to the NBA Draft= was definitely a huge blow to this roster. The trio did average 15.4, 15.2, and 13.6 ppg, respectively, in 2018-19. This will without a doubt result in them not being nearly as strong this season; however, I think a lot of this slack will be picked back up.

Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key, and Kihei Clark are definitely the top returners for the Cavaliers. Diakite is a great physical forward and averaged 7.4 ppg last season, but his contribution to the success of the Cavaliers goes well beyond offensive ability. Diakite is clutch. He made the basketball world aware of this when he hit a game-tying jumper to send Virginia’s slugfest with Purdue into OverTime in the Elite Eight of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

Braxton Key is now a senior. He has what it takes to be a big leader for the Cavaliers this year. Last season, he only averaged 5.7 ppg but led the team in rebounds. Kihei Clark got some decent minutes last year, but his shots were rather limited due to all of the other great scorers Virginia had on the floor. His success in the backcourt and ability to step up and be a huge offensive weapon could be what determines if the Cavaliers can compete in the ACC once again and grab a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Guard Casey Morsell and center Kadin Shedrick are great freshmen coming in. Both were ranked 56th and 68th in the 2019 class by 247 Sports, respectively. They will instantly be thrown into actions and play big roles.

The losses are great, but I feel like Tony Bennett knows exactly what to do. Virginia will be good again in 2019.

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