GETTING INSIDE

With eight of its top nine scorers and all five starters returning, Virginia has a good core for first-year coach Tony Bennett.

In fact, no other team in the conference returns as much in its point production as the Cavaliers, who have 91 percent of their offense back.

But the big issue will be at the other end of the court.

Bennett’s trademark in his successful run at Washington State was defense.

Bennett’s Cougars held opponents to a national low 55.4 points a game last season. Virginia allowed an average of 72.5. Something is going to have to change there.

But it’s likely to take a while, like a couple of recruiting classes.

In the meantime, Bennett can build around the likes of guard Sylven Landesberg, who averaged nearly 17 points per game last season, and fellow guards Calvin Baker and Sammy Zeglinski.

The three combined for 240 assists, with Zeglinski accounting for 84. Landesberg and Baker each had 78.

The Cavaliers have one of the more underrated forwards in the league, Mike Scott, who averaged 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season. If Assane Sene can stay healthy, that’s a fifth strong presence inside.

The addition of freshman Tristan Spurlock on the wing seems to be an upgrade. He could start for either Baker or Zeglinski if Bennett wants to stay big inside with Scott and Sene.

One other break in Virginia’s favor is in the conference schedule. The Cavaliers have only one meeting each with favorites North Carolina and Duke, and only one against what appears to be a significantly improved Georgia Tech team.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Virginia has managed a winning record in conference play only once over the last two seasons. The Cavaliers were 11-5 in 2006-07, finishing in a tie for first for the conference regular-season title.

• F Triston Spurlock, a 6-8 freshman, scored 15 points and had four assists to help the Capital All-Stars beat the U.S. All-Stars in the 2009 Capital Classic.

• G Sylven Landesberg earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors last season after averaging 16.6 points a game.

Last Year:   10-18 overall, 4-13 in the ACC.

Head Coach:   Tony Bennett (career 69-33); first year at Virginia.

Quote To Note:   “I’m realistic. There’s some ground to cover.”—Coach Tony Bennett, in the Newport News Daily Press, getting ready for his first season at Virginia.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Freshman Tristan Spurlock could be a valuable addition on the wing after averaging 23 points a game as a high school senior. He was a consensus Top 200 prospect among recruiting services. Jontel Evans likely will assume a role as a backup point guard.

Key Early-season Games:   The Cavaliers will travel to Tampa on Nov. 16 to meet South Florida and head ever farther south later in the month for the Cancun Challenge. Stanford is first up on Nov. 24, followed by either Kentucky or Cleveland State, upset winner over Wake Forest in last season’s NCAA Tournament, the next day. Virginia will host Penn State on Nov. 30 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. A trip to Auburn on Dec. 7 is the last non-conference road game for the Cavaliers.

Program Direction:   The Cavaliers have been on a downward spiral since they shared the ACC’s regular-season title in 2007, Dave Leitao’s second year as coach. Tony Bennett has veterans to work with as he begins the rebuilding project, but how they fit in with his disciplined approach and emphasis on defense will be interesting to see. It may be a year before the Cavaliers begin making significant strides.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Calvin Baker, SG Sammy Zeglinski, SG Sylven Landesberg, F Mike Scott, C Assane Sene.

Roster Report:  

• PG Calvin Baker had two surgeries during the offseason—for the stress fracture in his left foot and a procedure on his right knee.

• G Jontel Evans figures to a backup at point guard as a freshman, but he also could be asked to assume some of the scoring load in the backcourt as the Cavaliers try to give Sylven Landesberg support.