Two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year Reece Beekman and first-team All-ACC defensive selection Ryan Dunn aren’t walking through that door for Virginia this season. Albeit stockpiling transfers this offseason, Coach Tony Bennett is staring down a roster bereft of individual defensive stars and one with limited experience in the vaunted Pack Line Defense.
The data-driven website KenPom puts out yearly rankings based upon measures such as offensive and defensive ratings, luck, and adjusted tempo. According to the site, the ‘Hoos have notched an impressive nine appearances in the top-10 of overall defensive ratings since 2012. Alarmingly, however, is the sharp dip in the post-COVID era; finishes of 36th, 59th, and 25th occurred in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, respectively. Last year’s roster did bounce back with a seventh-overall ranking in KenPom’s defensive ratings, thanks in large part to the contributions of Beekman, Dunn, and transfer center Jordan Minor’s emergence halfway through the season.
Now, the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, which culminated in double-digit losses, an NIT appearance and a 26-point play-in defeat, vary significantly in their offensive and defensive outputs. The former finished 85th and 59th overall in offensive and defensive ratings, respectively, while the latter’s numbers show 200th and 7th — a massive discrepancy. With the Cavaliers losing the three aforementioned pieces on defense, the offense might be expected to shoulder a heavy burden to offset a roster without much Pack Line experience (hopefully, rumors are true surrounding Bennett’s desire to change some offensive schemes).
Nonetheless, here are some ‘Hoos who could pick up the slack.
*DBPR, according to EvanMiya, another data-backed college basketball site, “reflects the defensive value a player brings to his team when he is on the court. This rating incorporates a player’s individual efficiency stats and on-court play-by-play impact, and also accounts for the defensive strength of other teammates on the floor with him, along with the offensive strength of the opponent’s players on the floor.”
McKneely isn’t Beekman, but he’s a steady guard who has played in the Pack Line throughout college and high school (at Poca High in Poca, WV). Courtesy of EvanMiya, McKneely posted a .98 DBPR* last season — good for fifth out of eight Cavaliers graded by the site — and a .86 in 2022-23 — sixth out of eighth. I’d argue that McKneely passes the eye test as a fluid and smart defender occasionally undersized in some matchups, yet his metrics suggest that improvement will be needed quickly to compensate for Beekman’s absence.
A senior transfer from in-conference foe Florida State, guard Jalen Warley projects to be a high-quality fit in Bennett’s scheme despite his offensive shortcomings. The senior from Philadelphia outranked all fellow Seminoles two seasons ago with a DBPR of 1.16 followed by a fourth-best 1.85 mark in 2023-24. These numbers appear to be low; however, Florida State’s roster two years ago, having finished the season 9-23, featured five players with a negative DBPR. The team DBPR average increased by 0.93 after a 17-16 record in 2023-24, a sizable jump.
At 6’7, a player like Warley fits a mold closer to a Ryan Dunn or a Braxton Key than he does a McKneely or Beekman, and thus possesses more versatility when it comes to guarding the 1-4. Blanketing the opponent’s best guard might not fall to McKneely, as anticipated, but to a lengthier defender with a penchant for disrupting passing lanes and providing sound help defense. Assuming Bennett squeezes the defensive potential out of an already-impressive on-ball defender in Warley, there’s reason to believe that the defense will recover from its losses.
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If there’s one player to watch for the ‘Hoos defensively, it’s the Florida State transfer.
Potential Defensive Breakouts: freshman center Anthony Robinson, sophomore guard Dai Dai Ames
I’ve heard nothing but palpable buzz surrounding the redshirt center this offseason. Despite having such a limited read on a player who hasn’t yet touched the court, it’s clear that Robinson has gained several pounds of muscle over the course of his redshirt season and may be thrust into the rotation earlier than expected. Robinson could, in time, fill the role of a Darion Atkins-type player for Bennett: a strong rebounder, interior defender, and player whose importance to the roster can’t be reduced to a box score summary. At 6’10,” 238 lbs., the redshirt isn’t far off from Atkins’ measurables before his senior season in 2014-15 — 6’8,’’ 240 lbs. One can hope that Robinson replicates Atkins’ underrated career in Charlottesville, one in which he garnered an ACC Defensive Player of the Year honor and noticeably improved following his junior season.
While Virginia’s transfer class isn’t defensively-loaded outside of Warley, sophomore transfer Dai Dai Ames has shown flashes as an on-ball defender. The ex-Kansas State guard registered a measly 1.14 DBPR last season — good for sixth out of seven Wildcats — yet also took on tougher on-ball assignments with 5’11’’ backcourt mate Tylor Perry limited defensively. If Ames takes the point guard job from Warley or freshman Christian Bliss, he’ll have less pressure to take on matchups against larger shooting guards or even wings, so long as Warley, McKneely, or a bigger guard such as Andrew Rohde or Taine Murray are on the floor. There’s a reason why Bennett brought in Ames, a crafty playmaker whose toughness will be key.
While the defensive personnel is thin, the Pack Line will endure. The individual stardom might be lacking without Beekman and Dunn in the fold, yet Bennett will find a way through on that end of the floor. He always does.
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We’re highlighting the many threads that make Virginia so special
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the rich history of the place we call home. (WSLS 10)
Virginia is filled with so much history just waiting to be explored. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re celebrating this milestone with a new series: Patchwork 250.
The series will highlight the many threads that make Virginia so special and celebrate every patch (whether that’s a remarkable person, an unforgettable location or a memorable event).
As this new initiative gets underway, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite pieces of history and be a part of Virginia’s ongoing story.
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Using Pin It or the form below, let us know: what’s a unique piece of history from your community that you think more people should know about?
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About the Author
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Jazmine Otey
Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.
A fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday evening has claimed a life and prompted a significant road closure in South Reno.
The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to reports of the crash at approximately 5:29 p.m. on February 26. The incident occurred on northbound South Virginia Street, just north of Damonte Ranch Parkway.
According to the Nevada State Police, the rider of the motorcycle, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site, though no further details regarding other injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. Northbound South Virginia Street: Completely shut down from Damonte Ranch Parkway to Bishop Manogue Drive.
Southbound South Virginia Street: Open, but expect “rubbernecking” delays as drivers pass the emergency vehicles. Officials expect the northbound lanes to remain closed until at least 11:30 p.m. as the NHP Highway Patrol Division completes their investigation.
A new effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs to help missing persons. (Ron Lach/Pexels.com)
HAMPTON ROADS— A proposed initiative known as The Guardian Network seeks to strengthen coordination and public access to verified information when children, seniors, and vulnerable adults go missing in Virginia.
The effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs through a budget amendment to SB30. If the amendment passes, development would move forward through the Virginia State Police.
Reid said the idea grew from her years of public service.
“The difference between politics and public service is simple,” Reid said. “One is what you say. The other is what you do.”
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Reid began her career representing domestic violence survivors and said she witnessed firsthand how quickly families can be thrown into crisis.
“When someone does not make it home, that is a family’s worst moment,” Reid said. “The Guardian Network comes from a belief that we can strengthen coordination in those first critical hours and better protect vulnerable communities.”
The network is designed to complement existing alert systems such as AMBER, Silver, Ashanti and CODI alerts. Participation would be voluntary for both families and the public.
“It does not replace them. It reinforces them,” Reid said. “What we lack is one centralized, accessible place to see verified information. This is about coordination and clarity.”
Currently, information can be fragmented, she said, making it harder for families and communities to respond effectively.
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“Families in crisis should not have to search multiple platforms,” Reid said. “Public safety requires structure. Our response should be organized and accessible.”
The United Way of the Virginia Peninsula has expressed support for the initiative, citing its alignment with the organization’s mission to improve lives by advancing education, financial stability and health.
“Children are the highest age demographic experiencing eviction and homelessness, which creates unique vulnerabilities including separation, exploitation and trafficking,” said Charvalla West of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. “Seniors face increasing isolation, housing instability and caregiver strain in what many describe as the ‘Silver Tsunami’ of a rapidly aging population.”
She said the organization supports The Guardian Network because it strengthens coordination during the most critical moments when vulnerable individuals go missing.
“The Guardian Network aligns directly with our work to stabilize families and protect vulnerable communities,” West said. “When vulnerabilities are reduced, safety increases.”
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United Way collaborates with certified partner agencies across the Virginia Peninsula that focus on homelessness prevention, youth development, domestic violence response, aging services and housing repair. Those organizations would continue serving in their core roles, providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, mentorship, caregiver support and case management, while the network enhances coordination and awareness.
“The Guardian Network enhances coordination and awareness, while nonprofits provide the direct relational support that protects individuals before, during and after crisis events,” West said.
The concept also includes a second phase of development that would establish a standing advisory committee composed of survivors, impacted family members, nonprofit leaders, victim advocates and public safety professionals. A third phase would focus on identifying and allocating resources to support coordinated response efforts in collaboration with law enforcement, including ensuring necessary logistical supplies are available during active situations.
The immediate focus is Virginia. If successful, supporters say the model could be scalable to other states seeking to strengthen coordination in missing-person cases.
Reid said the goal is clear.
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“A stronger safety net. Better coordination. And helping bring loved ones home,” she said. “Everyone deserves to come home.”
