Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/53106
bounds in 22.2 minutes per game last season. The 6-4 guard showed some nice glimpses, in- cluding a season-high 20-point outing against Oregon that earned him ACC Rookie of the Week honors. Mitchell averaged just 2.4 points last year. His offensive game remains a work in progress. However, his defense is something that re- ally excites Bennett. "He said, 'I want to make an impact defen- sively on the game. I really want to be one of the best defenders in our program.'" Bennett said. "He's taken that real serious." Mitchell is looking forward to being the team's defensive stopper. "I think that year under my belt has really allowed me to know where to be exactly when something happens and be able to anticipate things," he said."Being a little stronger and quicker — I feel like I can guard just about any position. If there's a bigger guard, you can throw me on him. And I feel like I can defend on the perimeter. "I feel like when there will be switches and mismatches, I'll be able to hold my own." Rounding out the wings is first-year Paul Jesperson, who may have a tough time, at least initially, cracking the rotation. Jesperson, the Wisconsin Associated Press and Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school senior, can shoot the ball, though. "He's got a good feel," Bennett said. "He's almost 6-7. His strength is his feel for the game. He has a natural feel. Once he catches up to the pace of the game and his strength and athleticism improve … "He's pretty versatile, pretty complete." IN THE POST With Scott back in the fold, this figures to be an area of strength. At Media Day, Scott was voted to the preseason All-ACC team, QUICK FACTS Head Coach: Tony Bennett, 31-31 at UVa (3rd year); 100-64 career (6th year) 2010-11 In Review: 16-15, 7-9 ACC (T-7th) Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 10/3 Key Additions: F Darion Atkins, G Malcolm Brogdon, G Paul Jesperson Key Losses: G Mustapha Farrakahn (13.5 ppg. and 2.8 rpg.), F Will Sherrill (4.3 ppg. and 2.8 rpg.) RETURNING LEADERS Points: Mike Scott (15.9 per game) Rebounds: Mike Scott (10.2 per game) Assists: Jontel Evans (3.5 per game) Steals: Jontel Evans (1.3 per game) Blocks: Assane Sene (1.3 per game) FG Pct.: Assane Sene (.527) 3FG Pct.: KT Harrell (.421) FT Pct.: Mike Scott (.881) 18 ◆ CAVALIER CORNER HOO TO WATCH: KT HARRELL nitely not one of those people. "I wasn't having as much confidence as I should have." Harrell said. "I was playing really timid." The 6-4 shooting guard from Alabama, the highest-rated member of head coach Tony Bennett's inaugural six-member recruiting class, started 15 of Virginia's 31 games and averaged 8.0 points, which ranked fourth on the team. However, after scoring in double figures 11 times in his first 19 games, Harrell didn't crack double figures in the team's final 12 contests. Harrell's biggest goal over the summer was to shed some weight. "I feel like it had to be done to get quicker, faster, more athletic," said Harrell, who dropped about eight pounds. "Looking at film from last year, I wasn't as fast as I wanted to be or as athletic as I wanted to be." So far Bennett has liked what he's seen out of Harrell heading into year two. "KT's midrange game has always been pretty strong," Bennett said, Harrell averaged 8.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 22.2 minutes a game last season. PHOTO BY ANDREW SHURTLEFF "but he's been getting to the rim a lot more and has been finishing around the rim among big players." Harrell is looking forward to this season. "I think having experience now is definitely helping," he said, "and I'm really excited." — Whitelaw Reid becoming the first Virginia player since Sean Singletary to receive that honor. The fifth-year was averaging a double-dou- ble last season before an ankle injury tripped him up and led to a medical redshirt. "He's developed some leadership," Ben- nett said. "Only an injury or sitting out or something being taken away from you can give you that kind of experience and wisdom that's needed. "I've seen him trying to be more of a leader. He's more encouraging. He's more business- like and professional. The way he approaches practice and tries to lead his team — he's just different than before this had happened. Part of that's age and part of that's having basket- ball taken away." Joining Scott on the blocks will be fourth- year Assane Sene. The seven-footer from Sen- egal improved more than anybody last season, increasing his scoring average by 3.5 points and his rebounds by almost two per game. In ACC games, Sene averaged 1.7 blocks, which ranked seventh in the league. With Scott out of the lineup, Sene took advantage of increased opportunities. By sea- son's end, he seemed a much more confident player. His highlight was a game-winning tip-in against Norfolk State. Behind Scott and Sene will be redshirt first- year James Johnson and first-year Darion At- kins. They are considered two of the most athletic players on the team. Bennett loves both players' upsides. Johnson, a 6-9 redhead, has benefitted from a year of work with Virginia strength and con- ditioning coach Mike Curtis, packing on some bulk that could help him in conference play. Johnson also spent a few weeks in the sum- mer working out with NBA players near his home in California under the guidance of for- mer UCLA standout Don MacLean. "He's just got to get used to the timing and playing a lot of five on five," Bennett said. "But James has a very good upside. I like how he's improved, and he's just fierce. He's one of the more physical, tough-minded young men that I've been around, and he really works at his game." Atkins, meanwhile, has already earned a reputation as the team's best shot blocker. In practice, it's not uncommon to see the Mary- land native — who has a 7-1 wingspan — swat several shots in a row. "Darion is really active around the rim," Zeglinski said. "He's quick off his feet, and his arms are really long. "He's pretty impressive with just his feel and his shot-blocking ability." OUTLOOK Virginia's schedule is highlighted by a trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam tour- nament; a sojourn west to play Oregon and Seattle; and a home date with Michigan, part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. In ACC play, Virginia has to face preseason No. 1 North Carolina twice and Duke once. Will it all add up to the Wahoos dancing come March? "It's a noble goal," Bennett said. "And when you can get there it's just the best. Having done it as a player and as a coach I know what it does for your program, and that's why you're desperately fighting to get there. "But you can't be so consumed with it that it takes your focus off of being as good as you can be. That's the one thing we caution about. It will all take care of itself if we keep building on what we've been building." ◆ KT Harrell's first-year season was considered by most people to be a success. Harrell, though, is defi-