2009-2010 ACC Previews: UVA

LCB believes that while teams have been playing games since the start of November the real college basketball season does not begin until conference play is in full gear. Over the next couple of weeks, we will preview each ACC team by remembering some of the conference's past players that may have gone forgotten in some circles.

Season Outlook: Last year Barack Obama inspired the nation with his campaign for hope and change, making people believe that we could all be a part of something bigger than ourselves. For the citizens of Charlottesvile, when it comes to their basketball program, they have been hearing news of hope and change for what must seem like eons. This longing was never more true than in 2001, when the Cavaliers had an incoming class of Roger Mason and Travis Watson. This duo was skilled enough to help UVA stay afloat in the talent rich waters of ACC basketball. But they were missing the extra something to make them truly special. That missing piece was Desagna Diop, who the fans of UVA hoped would bring great change to a struggling program. But that's the problem with hoping for change, sometimes it's not enough. Diop couldn't resist the temptation of the NBA, UVA continued to struggle, and the only change that occurred was the name on the door to the head coach's office. Diop could have made UVA an elite program, but it didn't happen; and now they are back at square one, hoping for change.

Key Players: G Sylven Landesberg and F Mike Scott

Top Newcomer: F Tristan Spurlock

Record at Time of Posting: 6-4

Teach's Prediction: 12th in the regular season

Langston's Prediction: 11th in the regular season

Iceman AD's Prediction: 12th in the regular season

Key Games:
L Stanford 52-57
L Penn State 66-69
L @ Auburn 67-68
NC State 1/09
@ Wake Forest 1/23
Virginia Tech 1/28
@ UNC 1/31
@ Virginia Tech 2/13
Duke 2/28
Maryland 3/06