Amid mixed expectations, the Cavaliers begin their first season under Coach Dave Leitao, many questions linger about the strength and depth of the team's frontcourt. The Cavaliers lost forwards Devin Smith, Elton Brown and Jason Clark to graduation last year, and Leitao is now faced with the challenge of filling the void.
"Trying to find [natural rebounders] is a little more difficult on this team," Leitao said.
Rebounding will be one of the central concerns for the Cavaliers because Smith (6-5), Brown (6-9), and Clark (6-8) combined to average 19 rebounds per game last season. Leitao, however, has a list of viable candidates who may be able to make up for the absence of these three former Cavaliers.
Junior forward Jason Cain (6-9, 212-pounds) is one of the players who Leitao expects to have a solid year.
"[Cain] is intriguing -- he's 6 [foot]-9, has some pretty good athleticism, can get up and down the court and can jump," Leitao said. "He has a pretty good skill package as a face-up [power forward] and could create some match-up problems."
Despite Cain's height and skill as a big-man, he lacks the body type that allows him to consistently overpower defenders.
"I think he has been hindered because his body hasn't changed a whole lot since he has been here," Leitao said. "He's never going to be a 250-pound guy. I think the lack of strength has hurt him and has probably been a major part of his inconsistency."
Supporting Cain will be sophomores Adrian Joseph (6-7, 195-pounds) and Tunji Soroye (6-11, 212-pounds). Joseph most likely will play small forward, however, he could get moved to power forward or shooting guard depending on the type of line-up that Leitao creates. Either way, Joseph will have the opportunity to contribute to a team that is in need of another skilled member of the frontcourt.
"I underestimated him in terms of his athleticism," Leitao said. "The [small forward] is a very important position. He's got a really good skill package [and] can shoot the ball well."
Accompanying Joseph in the frontcourt will be Soroye, a sophomore from Nigeria. Since arriving at Virginia, Soroye has been known as a player with a lot of potential. Cavalier fans got a glimpse of that potential last year in the final two games of the ACC Tournament, when Soroye blocked seven shots and pulled down nine rebounds.
"Not many people want to go down the lane against Tunji," sophomore guard Sean Singletary said. "He's wiry, but he's real strong and he likes to [be physical] too."
Soroye may be the inside presence that Leitao is looking for. He is big and can protect the basket. In order to become a complete player, Soroye must improve on both sides of the court.
"[Soroye] is a guy that, as he is learning more about his offense, can contribute on that end of the floor," Leitao said.
There is no question that Leitao has a lot of height on this year's squad, however, he is still working to develop his frontcourt into the type of players who can occupy the middle, block shots, protect the basket and intimidate opponents down low. If Cain, Joseph, Soroye and the rest of the Cavalier frontcourt can successfully compliment Virginia's talented backcourt, the Cavaliers may just surprise some people.
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