Cavalier Corner

December 2014

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team returns seven of the nine players from last season's rotation, including All‑ACC first‑team selection and redshirt third‑year guard Malcolm Brogdon. The most logical players to replace Harris and Mitchell in the starting lineup are Anderson, a third‑year guard, and An‑ thony Gill, a redshirt third‑ year forward. A n d e r s o n , w h o wa s named the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year last sea‑ son, is the Cavaliers' most physically gifted player. Gill is the squad's best interior scorer. Toward the end of last season, the Charlotte, N.C., native was practically unstoppable when he caught the ball in the paint. In the ACC Tournament final win over Duke, Gill went to the free throw line 17 times. Gill got better with his defense as the season pro‑ gressed, learning the nu‑ ances of Bennett's "Pack‑ Line" scheme. Still, he'll have big shoes to fill. Mitchell was arguably the best defender in the ACC over the last two seasons and a beast on the boards. "I think we're all going to rebound," Gill said. "We've got to share the load. Akil was a great re‑ bounder and great defender. We just have to pick up the slack together as a team." Forward Darion Atkins, the lone fourth‑year, will be part of that equation. Since an injury early in his second‑year season, Atkins' playing time has been sporadic. But this year he figures to see a big increase in his workload. Atkins pos‑ sesses just as much natural talent as Mitchell. He may even be more skilled offen‑ sively. The challenge for Atkins is harnessing ev‑ erything and playing with the consistent motor — on both ends of the floor — that Mitchell was known for. A similar type of chal‑ lenge is confronting third‑ year center Mike Tobey. By his own admission, the seven‑footer admitted he was far too inconsistent last season. One of Tobey's biggest issues has been an inability to finish strong around the basket. "The offseason focus was for me to get a lot stronger, which helps you finish around the rim better and all the things that come with that," To‑ bey said. "I do have to do a better job of finishing. I remember a couple games specifically where I didn't finish as well as I should have — like the Duke game at Duke. I think just being stronger is going to help me a lot." "I think the key really is — and I told them this — that to realize as a group we are a different team. We're going to certainly have to find our identity, and we will as the season progresses." HEAD COACH TONY BENNETT ON BUILDING OFF OF LAST YEAR'S SUCCESS QUICK FACTS Head Coach: Tony Bennett, 106‑60 at UVa (6th year); 175‑93 career (9th year) 2013‑14 In Review: 30‑7, 16‑2 ACC (1st) Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 12/4 Key Additions: G B.J. Stith, G Marial Shayok, F Isaiah Wilkins and C Jack Salt Key Losses: G Joe Harris (12.0 ppg. and 2.9 rpg.) and F Akil Mitchell (6.8 ppg. and 7.0 rpg.) RETURNING LEADERS Points: Malcolm Brogdon (12.7 per game) Rebounds: Brogdon (5.4 per game) Assists: London Perrantes (3.8 per game) Steals: Brogdon (1.2 per game) Blocks: Mike Tobey (1.1 per game) FG Pct.: Anthony Gil (.587) 3FG Pct.: Perrantes (.437) FT Pct.: Brogdon (.875)

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