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Message: [QUOTE="73CAV, post: 1642561, member: 3916"] Interesting thread. Two years ago, posters on this board said the UVa would not recover from the loss of Joe Harris (and, to a lesser extent, Akil Mitchell). Last year a number of posters here said that Virginia could not sustain its success without Justin Anderson (and, to a lesser extent, Darion Atkins). I realize that these weren't universal sentiments among Syracuse fans, but their proponents seemed quite vocal about the matter. For those not paying attention, you might notice that Virginia has eleven eligible scholarship players this year and that Bennett routinely plays ten of them, although not the same ten every game. He is developing players. Also, while UVa has its best recruiting class in a long while enrolling this summer, I suspect that none of them will start next fall. I expect that next year's juniors (two true, three redshirts), along with London Perrantes, to provide the core of the team. Are any of them as good as Brogdon or Gill? Individually, I doubt it. On the other hand, I imagine that collectively they will be fine, especially if they remain on the same developmental curve they've demonstrated to this point in their careers. And there are some intriguing unknowns about the current roster. Jack Salt, a RS frosh has been starting, but rarely playing beyond the first media time-out. While he might not be ready yet, IMO he is as good as Akil Mitchell at the same point in his career. I believe the minutes Salt plays now will pay dividends later. Probably not next year, but eventually. The interesting questions for next year revolve around which of the frosh will pick up Bennett's defense (because they won't see the floor until they do), and how quickly will Austin Nichols integrate himself with the returnees. Right now, I have no idea how well next year's edition of the 'Hoos will perform, but I am reasonably optimistic. I also find it interesting that posters here are moderating their expectations, however so slight those changes might be. Two years ago, several suggested that UVa would return to the lower echelon of the league. Last year, it was predicted that Virginia would merely be 'middle of the pack' mediocre. Now, it seems, those same are saying that UVa will not be as good, and that Bennett has been 'lucky'. If Virginia remains a contender in the conference race next year, I am not sure that 'lucky' would be the appropriate adjective. Lastly, Bennett is now being criticized here, only by some, because he has yet to take a team to the Final Four. I think it worth mentioning that Boeheim did not take a Syracuse team to the Final Four, as a head coach, until his eleventh season, if I am not mistaken, and that he took over an exceedingly healthy Orange program from Danforth. Bennett had to rebuild a seriously broken UVa program, practically from the ground up. That he took a Washington State team to a Sweet 16 is almost as noteworthy as a Final Four appearance according to many pundits. Regardless, I don't believe comparisons between Boeheim and Bennett are appropriate just yet. I believe they can wait for several years. [/QUOTE]

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