Coach Bennett's Big 3

Left to Right: SF Justin Anderson, SF Evan Nolte, and C Mike Tobey

Tony Bennet already has started to put his mark on the program by brining in big talents like Joe Harris, KT Harrell, and James Johnson in his first season, and following that year up with another big one with dead-eye shooter Malcom Brogdon from Atlanta as it’s centerpiece. But both of those years pale in comparison to the way the 2012 class is starting to shape up. Let’s take a look.

 

Justin Anderson:

                This is the big fish. The biggest of fish. Justin Anderson has drawn comparisons to Vince Carter, as a sophmore. He can absolutely fly and can be a program centerpiece at small forward. Truly excels in transistion Anderson’s athleticicsm is off the charts. Has the ability to take over games. Strong finisher at the rim also has the ability to catch and dunk at the other end of an alley-oop lob pass. Will be a strong player with defenses being force to respect the deep game of Malcom Brogdon and Joe Harris, already established as deep threats. Coach Bennett is also in love with his tenacity on defense and rebounding. While his athleticisim makes him a strong defender and a tough matchup it’s the polish in his game that has Coach Bennett salivating. He will need to work on his range to blossom into his full potential but he is by far one of the best recruits we’ve had in a while.

 

Evan Nolte:

                Before Anderson committed this was the big commitment from the recruiting class, and for good reason. Nolte stands 6’7” with deep deep range. His game runs a great compliment with Andersons as the perfect kick-out guy for a penetrating Anderson.  Nolte excels in the slow down half-court style offense that Coach Bennett runs. Paired with Brogdon, Nolte will create a dead eye shooting tandem that will be a nightmare to defend, spreading defenses super thin as they will have to guard them all the way out to the three point line. This eliminates what killed us last year which was the packed in 2-3 zone. By spreading it out it allows our penetrating wing players and post guys to have more room to operate, if only we could hold onto Mike Scott another year.

 

Mike Tobey:

                Tobey is a low post presence we are going to need. Tobey will join Darion Atkins and James Johnson to make a very formidable frontcourt for the future. With a deep front court being addressed earlier in recruiting (Atkins, Harris, Johnson, Mitchell will probably be our 4/5 rotation for the next few years) it will allow Tobey to grow into his body. Tobey needs a good bit of polishing but has a ton of potential. Unlike the Sene project of a few years ago Tobey can already catch the ball in traffic and has a soft touch, and a few post moves. His body is a little doughy but that is not atypical of a high school player his size. He needs to develop his low post game more and solidify his frame and he can become a force in the paint.

 

                I’m stunned at how well Coach Bennett is recruiting. When we first brought him in I didn’t think his style of play would attract many top recruits because it is more of a team mentality rather than a showcase of one or two good players. However I am actively being proven wrong. The key to Bennett’s ultimate success or failure at UVA will be his ability to bring in his kind of players that buy into his system but can also compete night in and night out with the tremendous talent that the ACC has to offer. So far Coach Bennett is far exceeding my expectations and I am incredibly excited for the future. Now all we need is someone to run the show. Someone to distribute the ball to these new weapons.  Someone who Coach Bennett can trust to have his head on straight. Someone like…

 

James Robinson:

                This would complete this team. This commitment would bring UVA to the next level. Robinson would be the starting point guard the instant he set foot in Charlottesville. A product of DeMatha High School, Robinson already has all the polish of a pass first point guard that would fit Coach Bennett’s system perfectly. Our main competitor for his talents is of course Georgetown who seems to sustain their program with former Stags. If Robinson looks closely and sees what UVA is building I find it hard to believe he could turn us down. And lord knows we need him. This upcoming season will be crucial for recruiting but I think with a good showing we should land Robinson and be potentially at the top of the ACC.