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Virginia Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Cavaliers

By Lukas Harkins

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts in the second half against the Auburn Tigers during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts in the second half against the Auburn Tigers during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Diakite of the Cavaliers reacts. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Diakite of the Cavaliers reacts. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Projected frontcourt starters

Braxton Key | 6-foot-8 | 230 lbs | Senior

Braxton Key took the court as a Cavalier for the first time last season after starting his career with two years at Alabama. Even though the 6-foot-8 wing only started six games and received inconsistent minutes last year, he is an all-around threat that looks poised to play a significantly more featured role this time around in the absence of DeAndre Hunter. Key can be a solid contributor in many different facets and can play multiple positions. His rebounding and defense really stand out considering his size, strength, and athleticism.

Perhaps most notably, though, UVA will need him to improve his scoring this season. Over the course of last year, Key averaged 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. He did, though, post 12.0 points per game as a freshman at Alabama and is a proven three-level threat as a scorer. Key will be handed more offensive responsibility this season and he could thrive in that role. The former top-100 recruit will be a key (no pun intended) piece on both ends of the floor for the Cavaliers.

Mamadi Diakite | 6-foot-9 | 224 lbs | Senior

Possibly the most important returner for this campaign, Mamadi Diakite was phenomenal in the NCAA Tournament this past season. He brings plenty of size at 6-foot-9, can be a menace defensively, and is a versatile offensive talent as well. Although not one of the featured scorers on last year’s roster, it is reasonable to assume that Diakite will shoulder more of the offensive burden this time around. He averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while starting 22 contests in 2018-19.

Diakite’s defense is well-documented as he is arguably one of the best shot-blockers in the country but his offense will need the most development this year. He already finishes at a solid rate around the rim but is improving as a jump-shooter as well. He shot just 5-for-17 (29.4%) from 3-point range last year but there is potential for him to be a much more dangerous threat this time around. If he starts consistently knocking down perimeter jumpers, that will greatly open up Virginia’s offense.

Jay Huff | 7-foot-1 | 243 lbs | Junior

Virginia’s frontcourt was absolutely stacked last season and therefore Jay Huff was relegated to deep reserve duty. He averaged just 9.3 minutes per game. Looking ahead to this campaign, though, it is very likely that the 7-foot-1 junior emerges not only as a starter but a household name in the ACC. He is an impressively versatile player with the ability to essentially do it all at the center spot. Huff has already shown potential as a major threat on both ends of the floor and it is time for him to play big minutes this season.

To put it simply, Huff’s small sample size of playing time does not do justice to his talent. Over the course of his first two seasons with the program, Huff has averaged 18.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per 40 minutes on shooting splits of .620/.421/.658. It is not reasonable to think he will post those numbers as a full-time starter but he could be a double-digit three-level scoring threat and elite defender at the rim. Huff might be Virginia’s most overlooked potential star.

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