#0 JEFF ALLEN
Class: Senior
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 230
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Inside the numbers: Started 31 of 34 games a year ago … Averaged 12 points and a team-leading 7.4 rebounds per game … Shot 47 percent from the floor and 25.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Hit on 66.4 percent of his free-throw attempts … Had a team-leading 59 steals and 42 blocked shots … Scored in double figures 21 times, with a season-best 24 points coming against VMI … Had eight double-doubles.
Analyzing Allen’s game: Allen can be as good as any player in the ACC. He possesses size and strength, and he has a wide array of post moves that enable him to be dominant in the post. His long arms and anticipation make him an excellent rebounder, and he has an uncanny ability to generate steals. But inconsistency and foul trouble have hindered him at times.
Greenberg’s take: “Jeff is going to leave here with 1,700 career points, 1,000 career rebounds and finish in the top two or three in steals. Yet people are so negative. Jeff has had a magnificent career. We’ve got to accentuate what he’s done. There are a lot of guys in this league who would like to have Jeff Allen on their roster and I’m one of them.
“We need for him to be more consistent. He can’t have hiccups. He’s got to be a model citizen, he’s got to be a leader and he’s got to play like a senior.”
#1 TERRELL BELL
Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 205
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga.
Inside the numbers: Started in 33 of Tech’s 34 games last season at small forward … Averaged 6.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and two assists per game … Shot 43.9 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Made 63.2 percent from the free-throw line … Also had 38 blocked shots and 27 steals … Scored in double figures in seven games, with his best game coming at Georgia Tech when he scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
Analyzing Bell’s game: Bell settled into his role nicely a year ago and became Tech’s best offensive rebounder and one of the team’s best defenders. His shooting is a little inconsistent at times, but he excels at getting out on the break and uses his long, athletic frame to attack the offensive glass. He made a lot of key plays for the Hokies last year.
Greenberg’s take: “Terrell Bell has been the most consistent in our offseason workouts. He’s like Switzerland – he’s neutral. He does what he’s supposed to do. You don’t have to run 4,000 plays for him. He’s going to defend. He’s going to get to the glass. He’s everywhere he’s supposed to be every day. He’s absolutely zero maintenance.”
#32 PAUL DEBNAM
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Hometown: Farmville, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in 10 games a season ago, starting on Senior Day … Averaged 1.4 points per game, scoring 14 points for the season … Hit 5-of-9 from the floor, including both of his 3-pointers … Had six rebounds and three steals.
Analyzing Debnam’s game: Debnam was honored on Senior Day last spring, but he had one more season of eligibility left and Tech’s staff and Debnam agreed that he could return for that season. He’s a strong, physical walk-on who brings energy to practice and makes his teammates work. He also keeps things light in the locker room.
Greenberg’s take: “Paul is Paul. There is only one Paul. He is an original. He embraces his role. He’s unbelievable in the locker room. He’s really a good teammate.”
#23 MALCOLM DELANEY
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Inside the numbers: Started 33 of 34 games, missing the Seton Hall game with a sprained ankle that he suffered early in the Longwood game … Averaged 20.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game … Shot 38.7 percent from the floor and 30.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Made 84.2 percent from the free-throw line … Led the team in scoring and assists … Also had 41 steals … Scored 30 points or more on five occasions and scored 20 points or more 19 times.
Analyzing Delaney’s game: Delaney earned first-team All-ACC recognition after leading the league in scoring. He’s a tremendous offensive player, with the ability to score in a variety of ways. His shot selection is questionable at times, which leads to a shooting percentage that is not indicative of his shooting ability. He’s also a solid defender and good ball distributor. He could be an All-American this season.
Greenberg’s take: “We ask so much of him. There’s not a school in the country that asks more than we do of Malcolm. We’re asking him to start the play and finish the play. We’re asking him to play the ball and give us toughness. We’re asking him to lead. It’s a lot to ask. Yet he brings it every night.”
#5 DORENZO HUDSON
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Inside the numbers: Started 33 games at shooting guard, missing one game because of an ankle injury … Averaged 15.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season … Shot 43.7 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Connected on 75.5 percent of his free-throw attempts … Also had 25 steals and eight blocked shots … Scored in double figures in 24 games, including a 41-point effort against Seton Hall in Cancun.
Analyzing Hudson’s game: Hudson was easily the Hokies’ most improved player last season. He displayed a varied offensive game. He uses his body to draw contact and he makes his free throws. He also plays good defense. A little more consistency from beyond the 3-point arc and he could be in for another great year.
Greenberg’s take: “Dorenzo is just a pleasure. He’s emerged as a really good leader. He’s extremely prideful. He runs the court as hard as any guy I’ve had. He’s got a toughness about him. I want to see him guard the ball better. I expect Malcolm and Dorenzo to be one of the elite backcourts in the ACC.”
#33 JT THOMPSON
Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-6
Weight: 210
Hometown: Monroe, N.C.
Inside the numbers: Played in 34 games, starting three of those … Averaged 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game … Shot 47.8 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Hit 67.6 percent of his free-throw attempts … Blocked 10 shots, dished out 19 assists and had 27 steals.
Analyzing Thompson’s game: Unfortunately, Thompson will miss this season after tearing his ACL during a pick-up game in early September. He is eligible for a medical hardship waiver, which he should receive. When healthy, Thompson brings energy and passion off the bench. He does a lot of the dirty work that many college players shun. He knows his role and embraces it. He’s a “glue” guy for Tech.
Greenberg’s take: “I am extremely disappointed for JT. He is a huge part of what we have been able to accomplish over the past three years. His work ethic, energy, toughness and skill level will most definitely be missed.”
#14 VICTOR DAVILA
Class: Junior
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-8
Weight: 245
Hometown: Canovanas, Puerto Rico
Inside the numbers: Played in 34 games, starting in 33 of those as Tech’s center … Averaged 5.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game … Shot 47.7 percent from the floor and 53.8 percent from the free-throw line … Also blocked 26 shots and had 13 assists … Scored in double figures four times.
Analyzing Davila’s game: Davila possesses a nice array of offensive skills, with good footwork on his moves and decent range on his shot. He also gives Tech much-needed size inside. But his problem has been his lack of aggressiveness and confidence in his abilities. If he shows those, he could double his numbers this season.
Greenberg’s take: “Consistency is the key. He started off well last season and he finished well. But in the middle, he wasn’t as productive as I would have liked. He’s got great hands and good footwork. Physically, he’s strong. We need him to be a 10-point, six-rebound guy every night. He’s more than capable.”
#3 ALLAN CHANEY
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 235
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Inside the numbers: Sat out the season after transferring from the University of Florida … Appeared in 23 games at Florida, starting twice … Averaged three points, 2.1 rebounds and 9.8 minutes per game … He missed nine games with a sprained foot.
Analyzing Chaney’s game: Chaney probably will not play this season after being diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, in early September. When healthy, he’s an active offensive rebounder and brings small forward skills to the power forward position. His status probably won’t be determined before press time.
Greenberg’s take: “His long-term health is the most important thing right now. I’m not planning on him playing this year. He had the potential to be a double-double guy.”
#25 MANNY ATKINS
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard/forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 200
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga.
Inside the numbers: Played in 23 games, starting one of those … Started the Georgia Tech game because of an injury to Dorenzo Hudson … Averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game … Shot 44.3 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Made just 46.2 percent from the free-throw line … Also had 14 assists and 14 steals.
Analyzing Atkins’ game: Atkins is long and athletic and shows an ability to be a tremendous shooter. He also can be a terrific defender if he makes a commitment to it. He played well in the start against Georgia Tech, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. He could be in line for a significant increase in playing time this season.
Greenberg’s take: “He plays hard and he can make open shots. He’s got to take good care of the basketball. But every time he was given an opportunity last year, he embraced it, and that’s exciting. He does give us some toughness, which is important.”
#24 BEN BOGGS
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Hometown: Roanoke, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in 25 games as a freshman last season … Averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game … Shot 34.1 percent from the floor and 25 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Connected on 81 percent from the free-throw line … Had 10 steals.
Analyzing Boggs’ game: Boggs is a hard worker and a tough player who is solid in just about every role. He missed most of his senior season of high school with a broken leg and that set him back some entering last season, but he’s stronger now. He shows an ability to be a consistent jump shooter.
Greenberg’s take: “Ben is shooting the ball really well. He’s getting it off quick. He’s our best post feeder. I want him to be a physical defender. He has a toughness about him. He’s shot ready. Dorenzo and Ben are, by far, the guys who have put in the most time shooting the ball.”
#11 ERICK GREEN
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
Hometown: Winchester, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in 34 games last season, starting the Seton Hall game in Chapel Hill after Delaney went down with an ankle injury … Averaged 2.6 points and less than an assist and rebound per game … Shot 29.3 percent from the floor and 27.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Made 68 percent of his free-throw attempts … Had 17 steals.
Analyzing Green’s game: Green is a pure point guard who thinks pass first. He played sparingly a year ago, though, because of Delaney’s emergence at point guard. He’s a very good passer who excels at getting others involved and shows the ability to be a good defender. He needs to work on his perimeter shooting and continue to get stronger.
Greenberg’s take: “Erick Green has taken a huge step forward. He’s more confident. He’s stronger. His basketball IQ has improved. He’s shooting the ball really well. I expect him to really do some special things.”
#4 CADARIAN RAINES
Class: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 238
Hometown: Petersburg, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in 21 games last season … Averaged 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game … Shot 35.3 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the free-throw line … Blocked 16 shots and had four steals … Averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.8 assists per game at Petersburg High his senior season.
Analyzing Raines’ game: Raines underwent surgery in the spring on his foot and is still out while trying to recover. When healthy, he provides excellent size and strength in the interior and uses his shot-blocking ability to protect the basket. He still needs to polish his offensive skills and work on finishing around the basket.
Greenberg’s take: “He’s a high-energy guy who was a developing basketball player. This [the injury] has definitely slowed his progress. I need for him to be a physical post defender and protect the front of the rim. I need him to rebound on both ends. I need for him to be a great screener. I need some physicality up front from him.”
#31 JARELL EDDIE
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard/forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 209
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 23 points per game in leading The Cannon School to a 16-14 record in a competitive division … Scored at least 20 points in nine straight games during one stretch … Averaged 25 points per game as a junior and scored 2,700 points in his career.
Analyzing Eddie’s game: Eddie comes to Tech with the reputation as a big-time scorer. He has size, shoots the ball with range and is physically stronger than most wing players. He rebounds the ball well for his position. The question will be whether he becomes a tough enough defender to get on the court early.
Greenberg’s take: “Jarell has a little AD [Vassallo] in him. He can make shots. He’s got to understand the speed of the game and finish plays on both ends. He’s getting acclimated with the intensity you need to play with to be successful to play for me. He’s got a great work ethic and desire to be good.”
#21 TYRONE GARLAND
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 25 points per game in leading his team to a 19-10 record … Finished his career with 2,198 points. Came up 10 points short of passing Wilt Chamberlain into second place as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the fabled Public League … Scored more than 30 points in five games and more than 40 on one occasion … Averaged 29 points per game as a junior.
Analyzing Garland’s game: Garland is the typical Philly guard. He plays with toughness, and like Eddie, is a big-time scorer who can score in a variety of ways, particularly off the dribble. He possesses a great feel for the game and he loves to compete. In many ways, he reminds Tech’s staff of Jamon Gordon, though he’s more offensive-minded.
Greenberg’s take: “Ty is strong and tough. I want him to stay really aggressive. He’s going through a learning curve with defensive fundamentals and concepts. He’ll go through a learning curve with execution and sets. But he’s tough and he’s competitive. He’s just a wonderful person.
