NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team frontcourts for 2022-23 season

20. Virginia Cavaliers

When Jayden Gardner transferred from East Carolina a year ago, it was unknown how he’d fit with the Cavaliers. Turned out it went very well, with the forward leading the team with 15.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg last season. The 6’7 forward was in double figures for 29 of 35 games, including 26 points against Georgia Tech and 17 points and 14 rebounds versus Virginia Tech.

Gardner is back for a 5th-year and will be the focal point of Virginia’s offense once again. So is the center duo of Kadin Shedrick and Francisco Caffaro. These two spilt the 40 minutes at the five-spot and combined to average 11.2 ppg and 9.7 rpg. Shedrick is the better offensive player, while Caffaro was a little better on the defensive side. But the team will always have a solid big man with both of them on the roster.

Also joining the frontcourt rotation is Ben Vander Plas. The 6’8 transfer from Ohio averaged 14.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg,6. and 3.1 apg and is a skilled forward. He’s a capable three-point shooter (something the other three aren’t) and good passer and can impact the game even when he isn’t scoring. If Virginia wants a more offensive-minded lineup, they can have Gardner at the five and Vander Plas at the four.

It’ll be hard for him to get a lot of minutes but top-50 freshman forward Isaac Traudt has a promising future. He’s a talented stretch forward that can score but may have to wait until Gardner and Vander Plas leave to have an impact.