Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Player Profile: Mike Tobey

Virginia fans need something from Mike Tobey.

Aggressiveness. Fierceness. Maybe some anger.

Mike Tobey, now in his third year (OH MY GOSH HOW IS HE A THIRD YEAR ALREADY?), has done well for the Wahoos, but still seems to be juuuust not quite physical enough down low. His touch is incredibly smooth for a big man, and there's not much the fans enjoy more than a Tobey skyhook.

Tobey played in all 37 games, starting 28 last season. He was second on the team in offensive rebounds with 70 (Akil Mitchell had 72), but only pulled in 69 defensive rebounds. His total of 139 rebounds was fourth on the team behind Mitchell, Brogdon (seriously, he does it all), and Gill. Tobey led the team with 39 blocks on the season, but when you're seven feet tall, that's not wholly surprising.

Last season, Mike averaged 6.4 points per game, with his season high coming with 18 at Davidson. As mentioned in the previous Darion Atkins profile, the big men will have to pick up the slack for Akil Mitchell's departure, and Tobey is a prime candidate (along with Anthony Gill) to contribute on the offensive end.

Tobey's defense improved as the season went on (as the Tony Bennett pack line system gets more comfortable), and I fully expect to see Mike back in the starting lineup when the team takes the court at JMU on Friday.

The arrival of first year Jack Salt may have been the best thing to happen to Tobey, with Salt being described as a real tough player and very intense. Tobey has the talent and the skill set to become one of the best big men to come through Charlottesville, but he needs to get the fire to make the next jump.

One storyline to watch is what combinations that Coach Bennett goes with in regards to the big men. I'd like to see the offensive combo of Gill and Tobey, but their defense wasn't as strong as Darion's (and Akil's) last season. With one redshirt still floating around in the mix, I wouldn't be surprised to see that go to one of the first year big men, either Salt or Wilkins. Mike Tobey is an integral part of getting the Cavaliers back to the ACC Championship and deep into the tournament.

The Stats:

Position: Forward/Center

Height: 7-0 (Still Growing!)

Weight: 253

Best Play Last Season:

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Animal Most Similarly Resembles: Newborn Giraffe

Most Likely To: Take Awesome Christmas Instagram Photos with Joe Harris and Evan Nolte