UVa. was picked to finish fourth in the conference behind Duke, North Carolina and Louisville. And although fans are grumbling, players and coaches aren’t distracted. They know what they are capable of.
“It’s not something you really process,” said redshirt junior Malcolm Brogdon.
“We actually embrace that underdog role; it just adds fuel to the fire.”
Brogdon led the Cavaliers in scoring and steals last year after sitting out for the 2012-2013 season with a foot injury. This year, the Atlanta native was named to the preseason All-ACC team, and is poised for another big year.
Along with Brogdon are two pieces from the team that won its first ACC regular season title since 2007 and its first tournament title since 1976 last season. Sophomore point guard London Perrantes and junior Justin Anderson, who will slide into the position that Joe Harris occupied, both return.
In the frontcourt, Darion Atkins and Anthony Gill will be called upon to fill the void that Akil Mitchell left after graduating. Atkins, one of few Cavalier seniors, said that he is ready to step up.
“In the offseason I’ve just been working on getting stronger,” he said. “Naturally I’m a pretty good defensive player and rebounder, so I’ve just been primarily working on my offense.”
Once again, the key for the Cavaliers will be predicated on defense and selfless play.
