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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: Clark of the Cavaliers handles. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Clark of the Cavaliers handles. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Key storylines to follow

1. Will there be enough backcourt depth?

Virginia definitely lacks backcourt depth and experience this year. Kihei Clark is the only proven guard at the D-1 level and there are bound to be concerns as a result. This is especially true considering Clark only averaged a relatively inefficient 4.5 points per game last season. Virginia’s newcomers, Casey Morsell and Tomas Woldetensae, are going to need to be high-level performers right away, especially in the scoring department.

Considering their respective reputations, it is reasonable to assume that they will follow through on those expectations but there are still worries regarding depth. Virginia traditionally does not run a deep rotation but any injuries to those three could seriously affect the team. This is true with regards to overall ball movement as well as scoring and defense. They should be just fine in the backcourt as long as the main trio remains healthy.

2. How effective will newcomers be in Bennett’s system?

Considering how much I have discussed Virginia’s “system” on both ends of the court in this article, I think it is prudent to mention this as a storyline. The Cavaliers are adding several newcomers to their rotation this season and they will need to quickly learn how to be effective in their roles. For Morsell and Woldetensae, they will be the “movers” on offense, which means their job is to read defenses off screens to determine their next move as perimeter scorers. On the defensive end, they need to stay disciplined and understand their part in the whole.

Additionally, Caffaro and Shedrick will be competing for one of the main reserve spots in the frontcourt. While they will not see as much playing time as either of the incoming guards, they could play pivotal roles. While Caffaro already has a year in the system, we are yet to see him on the court. They will mostly be used as screeners on the offensive end and need to protect the paint and rebound at a high level.

Virginia is not a program that traditionally relies on immediate impact freshmen or newcomers but these players could all see significant minutes this season. As a result, they will need to be fast learners.

3. Can the system overcome personnel?

Don’t get me wrong – this Virginia roster is very talented and will surely make the NCAA Tournament. With that said, though, it would be a mistake to simply overlook the program’s massive losses this season. Jerome, Guy, Hunter, and Salt were all major factors in the Cavaliers’ success over the past few years and it would be an insult to their talent to assume they will easily be replaced. That does not mean, however, that Coach Bennett’s system cannot still carry this team near the top of the national rankings.

Even though Virginia will be less talented than it has been in the past, they can always be counted on to feature one of the best defenses in the country. In fact, teams coached by Tony Bennett have finished in the top-25 in adjusted defensive efficiency in 11 of the last 12 years (both at Washinton State and Virginia). This includes top-10 performances in the category in each of the last six campaigns.

As a result, it is reasonable to assume that the Cavaliers will once again be elite on the defensive end of the floor. Their offense just needs to be solid in order to be a top-25 team if that is the case.

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