Atkins' offensive contributions would have presumably increased next season, as he was projected to at least contend for a starting spot.
He was one of only two small forwards on the team's roster last year, along with Eddie, and would have been one of only five players returning next season who had played in more than nine games in 2010.
Bummer. Manny Atkins played well down the stretch and event though he averaged just 4.9 ppg, that number balloons over 14 if you average it on a "per 40 minutes" basis. However, just because he performed well when Jarell Eddie was suspended doesn't mean his playing time was guaranteed to go up.
The Hokies have a much-heralded recruiting class arriving on campus this upcoming season, including the star of the class: Small forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Add in athletic power forward C.J. Barksdale and there's a good chance Atkins would have found himself toward the end of the rotation, in the same position he was in last season.