
Babcock Hoops' scouting team covers extensive ground, with scouts strategically positioned across various regions to evaluate NBA prospects nationwide and beyond. Our talent evaluators attend specific matchups in person, developing these reports to establish an initial baseline on a player or provide an updated assessment of their development. Unlike full scouting profiles, these evaluations focus exclusively on a player’s performance in a single game, emphasizing key takeaways and data points gathered from live scouting observations.
Blake Buchanan
Position: Forward/Center
College: Virginia
Class: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'11", 225 lbs
Birthdate: January 29, 2004
High School: Lake City (ID)
Game Matchup
Teams: Virginia Cavaliers @ Miami Hurricanes
Date: January 29, 2025
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Final Score: Virginia 82 - Miami 71
Stat Line
MIN: 33 | PTS: 16 | FG: 6-8 | 3PT: 0-0 | FT: 4-6 | REB: 9 (5 OREB) | AST: 2 | STL: 0 | BLK: 1 | TO: 0 | PF: 1
Performance Overview
Blake Buchanan strongly impacted Virginia’s road win over Miami, showcasing his high motor, physicality, and basketball IQ. He was engaged from the jump, setting solid screens, carving out space for teammates, and making hustle plays on both ends of the floor. His ability to hold his own against bigger opponents was notable, as he used positioning and timing rather than brute strength to secure rebounds and influence possessions.
His screen-setting was particularly valuable, creating clean looks for teammates, including Isaac McKneely, who benefited from Buchanan’s ability to free up space. Defensively, Buchanan demonstrated good awareness and rotational discipline, contesting shots and making multiple efforts to recover. While he’s not a dominant shot-blocker, his defensive activity and effort were key in Virginia’s win.
Despite a strong overall performance, Buchanan still needs to improve. He sometimes struggled against stronger, more physical bigs, getting pushed off his spot. Additionally, his reaction speed when defending quicker players needs improvement, as he was occasionally beaten off the dribble in face-up situations.
Strengths
High Motor & Hustle: Constant energy and activity, battling on the glass and making winning plays.
Screening & Off-Ball Impact: By setting solid, well-timed screens, he created space for shooters, particularly McKneely.
Decision-Making & Passing: Showed strong awareness, including a key read on a short roll leading to a cross-court dime for an open three.
Defensive Rotations: Reacted well to help situations, made multiple efforts on plays, and altered shots with positioning.
Concerns
Physicality Against Stronger Bigs: Lynn Kidd could sometimes displace him, affecting his defensive positioning.
Reaction Speed vs. Quick Attackers: Struggled against quicker face-up players who caught and attacked immediately.
Offensive Role: Virginia’s system doesn’t feature him much as a focal point; it is unclear how much he can expand his offensive game.
Questions
Will he have more opportunities to expand his offensive production?
Can he develop a consistent jumper to increase his offensive versatility?
How will he hold up against more physically dominant bigs?
Bottom Line
Blake Buchanan continues to show why he’s a valuable high-motor big with strong intangibles. His screening, rebounding, and defensive activity were key factors in Virginia’s win. While his physicality and reaction speed remain areas for growth, his overall performance reinforced his high-IQ, high-energy approach. If he’s given more offensive usage, he has the potential to be more than just a glue guy and could emerge as a key contributor and NBA prospect moving forward.