Sammy Zeglinski and Mustafa Farrakhan are two up-and-comers that didn’t get much chance to prove themselves last year. Singletary’s loss means that point guard duties will most likely fall to Baker, but if Baker does not improve his turnover rate this season, then Zeglinski might be able to take over his spot.
In this vein, there’s reason to optimistic too; Leitao landed Sylven Landesburg, Virginia’s first McDonald’s All-American since Majestic Mapp. He’s listed as a small forward with a good mid-range game. Hopefully, his addition will round out the roster and leave Virginia with enough scoring options to make it through the season.
Leitao, however, needs some luck for this upcoming season to pan out. The injury bug bit last year’s team hard. This offseason has already seen Diane go in for foot surgery and Mikalauskas has gone under the knife to fix up his shoulder.
More than any other year during his tenure, Leitao will be judged on his success with this very green roster. The Cavaliers right now possess a lot of unknowns and will be hurt by this in the preseason polls. Most media outlets will look at last year’s season, note the loss of Singletary, and bury them.
Don’t be fooled. Watch this team. There are good ingredients here. Bill Simmons might purport that this season has Ewing theory potential. I’m not sure if I’m ready to put that stamp on it yet, but I think the potential for sucess is good.
The season will have its up and downs, but a middle of the pack finish in the ACC has to be considered a success for the Wahoos and Leitao. The strength of North Carolina, Duke, and Wake Forest will make it difficult, if not impossible to contend for any sort of title.
If Virginia can pull out the type of season Virginia Tech did last year, Leitao will have done an excellent job with this bunch and will deserve whatever kudos come with it.
If Virginia wallows at the bottom of the standings and the players don’t display improvement, then speculation about Leitao’s future will surface.
Either way, it ought to be interesting.
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