In an offensively-challenged season in 2023-24, Virginia’s frontcourt did not consistently emerge as a scoring threat. Sophomore Ryan Dunn took a relatively small leap thanks to a 14.5 MPG increase from his freshman season, yet he struggled with his shot-making ability albeit boasting all-league defensive play. Interestingly enough, Dunn lit it up from behind the arc in NBA preseason play with the Phoenix Suns. All in all, the four contributing frontcourt players — Dunn, freshman Blake Buchanan, and graduate students Jacob Groves and Jordan Minor — combined for 23.2 PPG and 15.9 RPG. That could easily be confused with Zach Edey’s averages from his most recent National Player of the Year campaign.

While Dunn shined defensively and Minor/Buchanan contributed in spurts, this unit put much of the scoring pressure on guards Reece Beekman and Isaac McKneely — the latter of whom is more of a catch-and-shoot option rather than a shot creator. In 2024-25, Virginia’s frontcourt ought to see a major boost with five new contributors and one returner/projected starter in Buchanan. It is not unreasonable to expect a total flip in terms of scoring production this season, with the frontcourt arguably the primary offensive option depending on personnel. The individual defensive quality won’t be on the same par as Dunn (and at times, Minor), however.

Let’s break this down into individual positions in the UVA basketball frontcourt, beginning with some familiar faces at the five.

Personnel: sophomore Blake Buchanan, redshirt freshman Anthony Robinson, sophomore Carter Lang, freshman Jacob Cofie?

Arguably the weakest link on the team besides the absence of a “true” small forward, Virginia’s center rotation has a lot to prove in 2024-25. Buchanan — a 6’11’’ returner who started six games last season —  is the headliner of this group, while Robinson’s athleticism has generated some buzz around Charlottesville despite the presence of some offensive shortcomings. Lang returned to his hometown this offseason after a year at Vanderbilt and, despite being a walk-on, he could provide depth minutes as a seven-time starter in the SEC.

Buchanan showed flashes in his freshman season. After an 18-point outing in the second game of the season against Florida gave reason for a breakout, the Idaho native failed to establish consistency on the offensive end, albeit improving as a rim-protector. Hopefully, the occasional awkwardness around the basket will soon be cured with a year under his belt and a starting spot all but confirmed. Robinson — a redshirt alongside guard Christian Bliss — looks the part of the next Darion Atkins: strong, mobile, and defensively imposing in the paint. I expect his minutes to hover around 10 a game, however, on account of a limited offensive toolkit. 

Don’t be surprised if 6’10’’ freshman Jacob Cofie steals minutes away from Robinson as a backup center, or even as a four playing alongside Buchanan. The Top-100 recruit looked relatively comfortable in the Blue/White Scrimmage and showcased his physicality. Tony Bennett opted to redshirt four scholarship freshmen over the past two seasons (Elijah Gertrude’s was yanked several games into the 2023-24 season), but that whole equation changed with Bennett’s retirement and it’ll be fascinating to see if Ron Sanchez considers redshirting either of his two true freshmen in his interim season. Cofie and 6’5” guard Ishan Sharma have the potential to contribute immediately.