UVa's Mike Scott receives extra year of eligibility; Cavs now a sleeper?

In a piece of news that flew under the radar yesterday, Mike Scott -- Virginia's leading scorer and rebounder a season ago -- was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Scott averaged 15.9 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 10 games last year, but he underwent a pair of surgeries on his left ankle. Scott never suited up after December, and since he only played in 10 games, he remained under the 30% maximum the NCAA requires to grant an extra year of eligibility.


While the 'Hoos lose second-leading scorer Mustapha Farrakhan to graduation, they return the core of a team that had some promising young talent; four of Tony Bennett's top eight were freshmen or sophomores a year ago, when UVa went 7-9 in the ACC and 16-15 overall.

KT Harrell and Joe Harris, who combined to average over 18 points a year ago, are back for their sophomore years, as it Akil Mitchell. Point guard Jontel Evans will be a junior. Sammy Zeglinski, like Scott, will be a fifth-year senior while seven-footer Assane Sene will help Scott provide muscle inside on a team with a lot of depth on the perimeter.

Throw in highly-regarded freshmen Malcolm Brogdon and Paul Jesperson, and the Cavaliers have a chance to surprise some people next season.