As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close, GMS likes to review some of the power conference or power program teams that made it to the Big Dance and ask whether or not they’ve got a shot to return to the show next season. We continue on with teams eliminated in the Elite Eight.
Recruit and Reload: Virginia Cavaliers
Key Losses: Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill, Mike Tobey
Key Returners: London Perrantes
Key Newcomers: Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, Jay Huff, DeAndre Hunter
Breakdown: What a heart breaking way for the season to end for Virginia, especially considering they lose the two players who were probably the heart and soul of their program. However, bringing back a veteran point guard like London Perrantes ain’t too shabby. Perrantes is someone who consistently gets left behind in conversations about the best point guards in the country, yet continues to make strides for a program that has established themselves as one of the best in the country.
Coming in is, perhaps, the best recruiting class that Tony Bennett has ever signed, headlined (in this writer’s opinion) by Kyle Guy who is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the country. He’s not just a shooter, rather he can attack the basket and create for his teammates. Count him as an early favorite for the All-Man Crush Team next season. All four players won’t have the kind of pressure that accompanies prospects who head to more Blue Blood-like programs, a benefit of Bennett’s program still somehow being so underrated on the national scene.
