Cavalier Corner

December 2016

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you take your group with you. Sometimes it's just a matchup thing. "We should celebrate when we do it. And then you got to be careful that you celebrate so much that you don't try to win the na- tional title. "Basically, the equivalent of going to a Final Four is the equivalent of winning four bowl games in football. Well, you only made it to the Sweet 16? Well, that means we won two bowl games. "So much of our sport is judged very harshly on what you haven't done instead of what you've done, so what he's done is he's only built one of the best programs in America. But because of what he hasn't done, that's the focus of attention. If we were coaching another sport, you would have said, 'Look at all the success that he had.' "Our sport's tough. Our sport is very, very difficult. I would say there's a good chance that he will do that [go to a Final Four]. Hopefully where he's not knocking us out." Krzyzewski's Blue Devils are the favor- ites to win the ACC this season, but the Cavaliers are expected to be on their heels. Nichols, a 6-9, 234-pound forward, has the potential to anchor UVA's return to a deep level of the NCAA Tournament. The third-year averaged 13.0 points and 3.4 blocks per game in 2014-15, his last season at Memphis. "Expectations, I like to embrace them," Nichols said. "I know there's a lot of ex- pectations out there for me, and that's OK. I kind of figured that was going to be how it was coming into Virginia. "I don't get nervous or anything like that, I just kind of embrace it. I just try to go out there and do what I know best." Which starts defensively, where he fig- ures to give the Wahoos a rim protector they didn't have last season. While sitting out last winter because of NCAA transfer rules, Nichols made his presence felt as a member of Virginia's scout team. "I had to figure out new ways to get my shot off because I was getting my shot blocked all over the place," Wilkins said. "So he's definitely a very good rim protec- tor and I'm definitely glad he's on our side now." The new faces theme continues with a loaded five-man first-year class ranked among the top 10 in the country. Indianapolis guard Kyle Guy is the head- QUICK FACTS Head Coach: Tony Bennett, 165-72 at UVA (8th year); 234-105 career (10th year) 2015-16 In Review: 29-8, 13-5 ACC ( T-2nd); advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 9/5 Key Additions: F Mamadi Diakite, G Kyle Guy, F Jay Huff, F De'Andre Hunter, G Ty Jerome and F Austin Nichols Key Losses: G Malcolm Brogdon (18.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game), F Anthony Gill (13.8 and 6.1) and C Mike Tobey (7.3 and 4.4) RETURNING LEADERS Points: London Perrantes (11.0 per game) Rebounds: Isaiah Wilkins (4.1 per game) Assists: Perrantes (4.1 per game) Steals: Perrantes (1.0 per game) Blocks: Wilkins (0.8 per game) FG Pct.: Darius Thompson (53.8) 3FG Pct.: Perrantes (48.8) FT Pct.: Perrantes (80.3)

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