Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Updated 2020-21 power rankings after NBA Draft deadline

By Tristan Freeman

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats walks the sidelines in the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats walks the sidelines in the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
24 of 27
Next
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 07: Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 07: Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

446. . . . Cavaliers . 4. team

The biggest news that the Cavaliers were waiting for involved junior big man Jay Huff, who decided to come back for one more season. The 7’1 center averaged 8.5 ppg and 6.2 rpg and is considered to be one of the best defensive big men in all of college basketball. Having him back only ensures Virginia’s top-tier defensive unit will remain as formidable as ever.

Even without leading scorer and All-ACC forward Mamadi Diakite around, the team will have Marquette transfer Sam Hauser available to start alongside Huff. He averaged nearly 15 ppg last season and has shot 45% from three-point range in his three seasons with the Golden Eagles.

There’s plenty of depth behind those two, including redshirt freshman Kadin Shedrick and sophomore Francisco Caffaro. But the question in terms of UVA’s true potential will come from the backcourt. Junior guard Kihei Clark (10.8 ppg and 5.9 apg) is coming back but will need more consistent production from the likes of Casey Morsell, Thomas Woldetensae, and Kody Stattmann.

If top-50 freshman wing Jabri Abdur-Rahim can provide some offense next season, then look for the Cavaliers to get back to being national title contenders. They looked that way towards the end of last season and with a little more scoring production, will be the team to beat in the ACC.

Home/NCAA Basketball News