Virginia Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Cavaliers

Projected Virginia Starters

Point Guard – Reece Beekman (Senior)
Being familiar with the system after holding a starting role for the majority of three seasons now, Reece Beekman will be a key piece in the Virginia backcourt. The reigning ACC defensive player of the year and two-time ACC All-Defensive Team player will provide stability to a fresh Virginia team. As noted earlier, Beekman took a massive step in offensive production last season as well. His athleticism on both ends of the ball and ability to drive to the basket as well as now shoot from deep make him a dangerous and versatile two-way player at the one.

Point Guard – Dante Harris (RS Junior)
The rotation beyond Beekman is a little tricky in terms of who will share the backcourt in the starting role. Isaac McKneely could very easily find himself there through the season. However, Dante Harris, while not the same threat from three, provides some great depth defensively. With his ability to neutralize guard play on the defensive end, Harris should be Bennett’s go to sharing the backcourt with Beekman.

Shooting Guard – Andrew Rohde (Sophomore)
Rohde seems to have the ability to score based on his offensive metrics at St. Thomas for his freshman year. Provided he can compete consistently in a power conference, he should be able add another dimension on the offensive side of the ball for the Cavaliers.  He fits well in this rotation as a supplement to Harris’ defensive prowess with his potential to score.

Small Forward – Jake Groves (Graduate)
After spending his first two years at Eastern Washington and the last two at Oklahoma, Jake Groves will finish out his college career in Charlottesville. He will likely be one of the best shooters on the roster which has been a sorely missed asset in Virginia’s last handful of seasons. With the most recent memory of the scoring and three-point woes being had against Furman in a (LINK) performance, Groves will be a much-appreciated addition to the starting rotation and Virginia front court.

Power Forward – Jordan Minor (Graduate)
Minor could be a major asset to the interior. He can fit in ACC play in terms of his ability to post up backing down to the rim and defending down low. Perhaps his greatest upside is his speed and agility which will help him in a scheme where he will have to hedge and recover multiple times a possession. Similar to Rhode, he has not played in a power conference but certainly shows promise in his play style with the ability to move off a pick and roll as well as create for himself under the basket. If he can become a substantial piece at the five, it can really open up the floor for other guys like Groves or Taine Murray to find open looks beyond the arc.