UVA’s Soroye exploring redshirt option

By Whitelaw Reid
Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: February 19, 2008

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - For those who thought the days of “Tunji Time” were winding down…

Well, maybe not.

After Virginia’s 79-74 win over Boston College on Sunday, UVa senior Tunji Soroye told The Daily Progress that he has talked with the UVa coaching staff about the possibility of applying for a medical redshirt that would enable him to return to the team next year for a fifth season.

“I’m kind of leaning toward that now - to come back and get my master’s [degree],” Soroye said. “I think it would be a good idea.”

Soroye, an anthropology major, certainly hasn’t had the kind of senior year that he or Virginia fans envisioned. The 6-foot-11, 252-pounder has appeared in just two games due to knee and back problems.

Soroye, who has averaged nearly one swat per game in his career, is, if not much else, a defensive presence. His absence has had a noticeably adverse effect on Virginia’s interior defense. Currently, UVa is dead last in the ACC in shotblocking.

Virginia coach Dave Leitao has pooh-poohed the idea of Soroye redshirting, but if the Nigerian were to return next season, it would certainly put less pressure on incoming big men John Brandenburg and Assane Sene to produce immediately. In addition, Soroye could serve as a mentor to the freshmen duo.

Exactly how Virginia would go about freeing up a scholarship for Soroye is unclear. At the start of next season, UVa, with the addition of three freshmen, will be at the 13-scholarship maximum.

There may be a chance that Virginia could apply for a waiver. A call to the NCAA was not returned.

However, Soroye didn’t completely rule out a comeback this season. He’s scheduled to meet with doctors later this week.

“We’re still thinking about all that stuff,” Soroye said. “By Thursday, we will know for sure.”

Back to the bench

After starting the previous two games against Wake Forest and North Carolina, sophomore Jamil Tucker came off the bench in Sunday’s win over BC - and that was fine with Tucker.

“I came off the bench my whole first year and my whole first half of this year,” said the 6-foot-8 Tucker, “so it’s not really about coming off the bench or starting. It’s about what you can do for the team.

“I can’t be mad or anything. It was a great game.”

Tucker, who averaged 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in his two starts, finished with three points and a rebound in 11 minutes against the Eagles.

Tucker’s replacement, freshman Mike Scott, had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Lithuanian anthem?

Given Lars Mikalauskas’ production the last two games, a reporter asked whether maybe Virginia should consider playing the Lithuanian national anthem prior to games at John Paul Jones Arena.

“We should do that,” said Virginia junior Mamadi Diane. “We should. Maybe it will amp him up a little more and get him even more hyped for the game. Whenever he’s hyped, he’s all over the place, and that’s good.”

Mikalauskas had an ACC career-high 13 points versus BC.

Sean Singletary, however, wasn’t really digging the idea.

“He can put that on his headphones when he warms up,” said Singletary, smiling.

Lucky charm?

Virginia coach Dave Leitao may want to think about wearing a vest with his suit for the team’s last five ACC games. UVa is now 2-0 when Leitao wears a vest this season. Leitao has gone with the look in both of Virginia’s wins over BC.

“You should tell him that,” Diane said. “I think he’s kind of into that. When something’s going good - keep going with it.”