#4 Cadarian Raines
Class: r-Senior | Position: Forward | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 238 | Hometown: Petersburg, Va.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season … Scored in double figures on eight occasions and reached double figures in rebounds four times … Started 30 of 32 games … Shot 48.2 percent from the floor and only 43.4 percent from the free-throw line … Blocked a team-leading 34 shots … Had 13 steals and 13 assists.
Analyzing Raines’ game: Raines possesses size and strength to be a productive low-post presence for the Hokies, and his low-post moves have gotten better each year. But a year ago, he was a little inconsistent and only scored in double figures one time in the Hokies’ final 10 games. Shooting better from the free-throw line would help. Tech needs for him to be more productive in his final season, but that also means getting him the ball a little more – he only got in double figures in shot attempts in five games. He’s a physical presence on the defensive end, and overall, he should lead this team in rebounding and blocks.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s had a great offseason. He’s playing much more confidently right now. Last year was really his first year playing. He got his feet wet. I think he’ll be more comfortable out there on the floor this year. We need for him to give us some scoring and rebounding. A lot of teams tried to take him away with double-teaming last year, and that was one of the biggest things he learned. He had never seen that. He had to learn to play with that, but now he’s a lot more confident.”
#31 Jarell Eddie
Class: r-Senior | Position: Forward | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 220 | Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season … Started 28 of 32 games … Finished second on the team in scoring … Shot 39.6 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Connected on 84.2 percent of his free-throw attempts … Dished out 42 assists and had 24 blocks and 11 steals.
Analyzing Eddie’s game: Eddie got off to a good start last season, scoring in double figures in 10 of the team’s first 13 games. He tailed off in January, though, scoring in double figures just twice that month. He did score in double figures in the final three games of the season, including a 21-point outing against NC State in the ACC Tournament. He’s way too good of a shooter to have shot less than 40 percent from the floor. If he improves his intermediate game and takes the ball to the basket more and gets fouled – he excels at the free-throw line – he could be in for a huge offensive season. Like most of Tech’s perimeter players, he needs to improve his on-ball defense.
Coach Johnson’s take: “I look forward to him having a good year. He’s been more consistent throughout the entire preseason. He’s one of the best shooters in the ACC. He has a big body and can go down low and post up some. He’s a good 3-point shooter. We expect him to play both ends of the floor and rebound the basketball. He’s in the best condition of his career.”
#10 Marquis Rankin
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170 | Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 3.4 points and one rebound per game last year … Started in seven of the 29 games in which he played … Shot 39.3 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Shot 58.3 percent from the free-throw line … Dished out 26 assists and had 17 steals.
Analyzing Rankin’s game: Rankin got off to a slow start last season, missing the first two games with a knee injury. He scored in double figures just twice the entire season, including a 15-point outing in the regular-season finale at Wake Forest. He is a better shooter than his percentages indicate, but Rankin’s game isn’t scoring. He’s more of a distributor of the basketball, and he really gets into people on the defensive end. He may well be the Hokies’ best on-ball defender, and the Hokies need for him to be a defensive stopper on the perimeter this season.
Coach Johnson’s take: “Marquis has taken an unbelievable jump from last year. He works hard. He competes. He’s starting to be more of a vocal leader on the floor, which, as a point guard, you have to be. We need for him to stay healthy. His body broke down some last year, so we need for him to stay healthy. That’s a big key for us. He’s a veteran and has played some, and we need that experience and leadership.”
#14 Greg Donlon
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 230 | Hometown: Midlothian, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in nine games last season for a total of 18 minutes … Played a personal-best seven minutes in Tech’s win over Mississippi Valley State … Scored one point, which came in the Hokies’ loss at BYU … Took only one shot attempt and made 1 of 2 from the free-throw line … Had one rebound.
Analyzing Donlon’s game: Donlon gives the Hokies depth in the post, but his most important contributions come in practice. The walk-on uses his big, physical presence to make the other post players work hard, and he also serves as a scout-team player of sorts by helping run the opposing team’s plays.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s the ultimate teammate. I’m pleased to have him as a member of our team. He’s a hard-working kid. He gets the most out of what he has.”
#22 Christian Beyer
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 200 | Hometown: New Bern, N.C.
Inside the numbers: Played in 23 games a year ago … Averaged 1.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game … Scored a personal-best nine points and grabbed a personal-best 11 rebounds in the Hokies’ loss at BYU … Shot 40.5 percent from the floor and 68.8 percent from the free-throw line … Had three blocked shots and four steals.
Analyzing Beyer’s game: Beyer was surprisingly productive last season in his first as a Hokie. He gave Tech quality minutes in the post for much of the season, playing tough defense and being active on the glass, particularly on the offensive glass. He figured to be more of a practice player who would make Tech’s players better, but he developed into more, becoming a solid reserve. He should see some minutes in a backup role again this season.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s a hard-working kid. He helped us in some games last year. He adds depth and athleticism to our frontcourt. He was very good in our pressing last year. He’d be more of a ‘face-up’ 4 type of guy.”
#25 Will Johnston
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205 | Hometown: Midlothian, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in 29 games last season, starting four of them … Averaged two points and less than a rebound and an assist per game … Scored a personal-best nine points in back-to-back games versus VMI and UNC Greensboro … Shot 34.6 percent from the floor, but shot better from beyond the 3-point arc (35.4 percent) … Connected on 45.5 percent of his free-throw attempts … Dished out eight assists and had seven steals.
Analyzing Johnston’s game: Johnston played more than any of Tech’s walk-ons last season, as he won the coaching staff’s trust and gave the Hokies solid minutes. His smart, heady play made him a valuable reserve, and he hopes to continue in that role after using the last year and this past summer to improve his shooting and ball handling. If he makes shots and holds up on the defensive end, he could help this team.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s deep a 3-point shooter. He has worked on his body and gotten bigger. He’s worked on putting the ball on the floor and not making himself just a 3-point shooter. But that’s [3-point shooting] his strong point. He’s a great kid and a great teammate.”
#42 C.J. Barksdale
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 235 | Hometown: Danville, Va.
Inside the numbers: Started 30 of 31 games last season … Averaged 5.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game … Shot 52.3 percent from the floor and 77.1 percent from the free-throw line … Led the team among regulars in field-goal percentage and finished third in free-throw percentage … Scored in double figures on nine occasions last season, including five times in ACC games … Scored a career-high 17 points in the Hokies’ win over Florida State … Had 19 assists, 16 blocks and 12 steals.
Analyzing Barksdale’s game: Barksdale got a lot better as the season rolled along last year, giving the staff optimism heading into this season. He scored in double figures in four of the final seven games of last season. He’s a big, physical presence inside and has the range to shoot from 15-18 feet. Plus, he makes his free throws. He’s a solid defender on the other end, and overall, the coaches expect him to improve on his progress from last season.
Coach Johnson’s take: “I’m hoping C.J. can pick up where he left off in ACC play last year. It took him a little while to get going and get accustomed to how I coach and do things, but once he figured it out, he was a force in the ACC. I’m expecting him to do similar things right from the start. He can score inside and outside. At 6-8, 235, he’s another physical guy.”
#3 Adam Smith
Class: r-Sophomore | Position: Guard | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170 | Hometown: Jonesboro, Ga.
Inside the numbers: Sat out last season while meeting the NCAA’s residency requirements after transferring from UNC Wilmington … Averaged 13.7 points per game as a freshman two years ago … Started in 29 of 31 games that season … Scored in double figures in 20 games and scored 20 or more points six times … Shot 37.9 percent from the floor, including 33.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
Analyzing Smith’s game: From most accounts, Smith is a big-time scorer from the guard spot and should replace some of the scoring that left when Erick Green departed. He averaged just 1.6 assists per game as a freshman at Wilmington, so it remains to be seen if he’s a pure point guard or a combo guard. He also needs to get a little better defensively. But Smith can score, and the Hokies are going to need that.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s a prolific scorer. I can sum it up best by saying he’s a scorer. He can make an array of shots in many different ways. He can make shots off the bounce, coming off screens, tough shots, contested shots … he’s just a scorer. He’ll get a lot of shots with our up-tempo style. His size on the defensive end is a little bit of a concern, but with his quickness and athleticism, I think he’ll be able to pester some guys.”
#2 Joey van Zegeren
Class: r-Sophomore | Position: Forward | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 225 | Hometown: Hoogeveen, The Netherlands
Inside the numbers: Played in all 32 games, starting four of them … Averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game … Shot 52.6 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from the free-throw line … Finished third on the team with 21 blocked shots … Had nine steals and four assists … Scored a career-high 10 points in the Hokies’ win over Iowa and added 10 points in the loss at Maryland – his first career start.
Analyzing van Zegeren’s game: Last year, van Zegeren showed flashes of being a productive player. He has some offensive skills, and his length on the defensive end creates problems for opponents. Plus, he does a nice job of drawing charges despite being 6-10. Van Zegeren, though, needs to continue getting stronger and playing more physically on both ends. If he does that, he could help the Hokies this season.
Coach Johnson’s take: “Joey is much improved. I think last year he got his feet wet after the redshirt year. He’ll feel a little more confident in the post on the offensive end, but he’s our presence on the defensive end. He’s a shot blocker, but he’s also always in position to take a charge. He’s getting more comfortable using his skills.”
#33 Marshall Wood
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 230 | Hometown: Rustburg, Va.
Inside the numbers: Played in 25 games a year ago, missing seven games with a fractured bone in his foot … Averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game … Scored a personal-best 14 points in the Hokies’ loss at NC State … Shot 30.3 percent from the floor and 23.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc … Hit 63.9 percent of his free-throw attempts … Had 10 blocks and three steals.
Analyzing Wood’s game: Wood struggled once he came back from the broken foot, going scoreless in 10 of the final 15 games, but he showed his potential with his 14-point, 16-rebound performance against NC State. He is long and big and could create matchup problems for other teams. He possesses the ability to score and rebound, and with more confidence, he could be a very good player.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s a face-up 4. He’s a hard-playing kid. He can do a lot of things. His 3-point shooting is what he does best, but he’s worked hard at putting the ball on the floor and scoring in different ways. He’s making himself more versatile, and he’s a very good rebounder. I’m happy to see him healthy and hopefully he can stay healthy.”
#15 Ben Emelogu
Class: Freshman | Position: Guard | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 205 | Hometown: Grand Prairie, Texas
Inside the numbers: Averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals as a senior for 5A state runner-up South Grand Prairie High School … Had 27 points and 16 rebounds in two games at the state tournament and was named to the all-tournament team … First-team all-area by The Dallas News … An all-state selection according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
Analyzing Emelogu’s game: Emelogu is a big, strong, physical guard with tons of athleticism. He also possesses the ability to knock down shots. He excels in transition by running the floor and spotting up for open jumpers. He needs to work on his ball handling and will need to rebound more for this team, but Johnson loves his potential and expects him to play significant minutes this season.
Coach Johnson’s take: “Ben is going to figure big into what we’re doing. He’s a big, strong, physical guard. He can shoot it with deep range. He can score off the bounce. He could be a very good defender. At 6-5, he’s a good rebounder for his position.”
#11 Devin Wilson
Class: Freshman | Position: Guard | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185 | Hometown: Mckees Rocks, Pa.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 17 points per game this past season as a senior at Montour High School … Finished his career with 1,438 points … Named the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Male Athlete of the Year … Led Montour this past year to its second WPIAL championship in three years and a spot in the PIAA semifinals … A first-team All-Class AAA selection as a senior.
Analyzing Wilson’s game: Wilson is a pure point guard who loves to pass, and at 6-4, he can see over the top of smaller defenders. He’s a good ball handler, and as a shooter, he has good range. He may be the most advanced defender among the freshmen, using his smarts and instincts more than his physical attributes. Johnson likes him because of his toughness and his work ethic.
Coach Johnson’s take: “Devin has a winning mentality. He won in football, and he won in basketball in high school. He’s a tough kid. He could be one of our better defenders on the team. He’s a pass-first point guard. He looks to get the others involved. He’s a kid that the guys like playing with.”
#32 Trevor Thompson
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Height: 6-11 | Weight: 210 | Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 10 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots as a senior at Ben Davis High School before spending a postgraduate year at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Wisconsin.
Analyzing Thompson’s game: There is a lot to like about Thompson’s game. For starters, offensively, he is a little more polished than the typical freshman post player. He has good moves, and he runs the court well for a big guy – something Johnson wants to see from his post players. Defensively, his length enables him to block or alter a lot of shots. He needs to get stronger to be able to defend in the post and to establish position on the offensive end. The upside with him is there. It’s just a matter of him getting stronger and maturing into a finished product.
Coach Johnson’s take: “He’s a talented young forward/center. He’s long and athletic and can really run the floor. He’s got very good skills. He needs to get stronger, but he could potentially be a very good piece for us. He’s a lot more advanced. As he gets stronger and more mature, he could be a very good scoring option for us. We’re looking for him to help us rebound the basketball.”
#21 Maurice Kirby
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 235 | Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Inside the numbers: Averaged 15.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as a senior at Basha High School … Also averaged two assists and 1.8 blocked shots … Shot 44 percent from the floor and 44 percent from the free-throw line … Averaged 7.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, two assists and 1.2 blocks per game as a junior … A first-team all-district selection following his senior season.
Analyzing Kirby’s game: Kirby has a lot of skills and potential. He already possesses ACC quality size and length, and that enables him to get his hands on a lot of balls on the defensive end. On offense, he has a soft touch, but he needs to refine his post moves. In particular, he needs to work on his footwork and remaining in balance. He’s very similar to Cadarian Raines when Raines was a freshman. With his work ethic, Kirby could develop into a very good post player.
Coach Johnson’s take: “Maurice gives us a big, physical body up front. He adds depth to the frontcourt. He’s an extremely hard worker. He’s a very good rebounder. He’s also a good defender. He’s a little raw offensively, but I think he can help us this year.”
#1 Malik Mueller
Class: Freshman | Position: Guard | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210 | Hometown: Ehingen, Germany
Inside the numbers: Was the MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic international game in 2010 at Madison Square Garden … Had 21 points and four 3-pointers in that game … Was 16 years old at the time … Led his Urspring team to the championship of the Arby’s Classic last December in Bristol, Tenn. … Scored 11, 17, 23, 29 and nine points in the five games of the Arby’s Classic, earning the tournament’s most valuable player honor.
Analyzing Mueller’s game: Mueller will sit out this season after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA. He is a big, thick point guard with tons of international experience, and at 19 years old, possesses a little more maturity than the other freshmen. He’ll work on his game and return next season. The staff likes him because he can score, with the ability to hit the 3-pointer, and he also gets to the basket. He’s a solid defender who uses his intelligence more so than his athleticism. He should help the other guards get better by making them work harder in practice.
Coach Johnson’s take: “I’m disappointed for Malik. He worked hard over the summer, but I know that he’ll use the year to improve as a player and work on his academics. He’ll help us in practice and on the sidelines.”
