‘Tunji time’ returns

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Just when it seemed like “Tunji Time” had run its course, Virginia fifth-year senior Tunji Soroye — kind of like Jason from those “Friday the 13th” movies — resurfaced out of nowhere.
Soroye, who had contributed virtually nothing this season due to an assortment of injuries, had his best game in a long time.
Soroye had four points, three rebounds and a steal in 13 minutes during Virginia’s 68-57 loss to No. 25 Florida State on Tuesday night.
Soroye’s impact belied his statistics. The Nigerian seemed to provide a physical defensive presence — something Virginia has sorely needed.
“Tunji, when he was out there, he gave us some positive minutes — he did good things out there,” said Virginia freshman Sylven Landesberg. “That could definitely help us.”
UVa coach Dave Leitao said Soroye is still not
100-percent healthy.
“I don’t think he’s where he needs to be, health-wise,” Leitao said, “but he and I kind of made a decision to put his best foot forward and try and get through it and see what happens.
“It means that I’m going to try and go to him a little bit more and he’s going to try and stay with the process a little more.”
Soroye said that back and knee problems have once again been the issue for him this season.
“Sometimes I can go for two days, but then can’t go for two days after that,” Soroye said, “but it’s been way better now than before.”
Soroye played in just two games last season. After being granted a medical redshirt, the 6-foot-11 center’s plan was to finish his Virginia career on a much better note — something that hasn’t exactly come to fruition.
“It’s been very, very tough, but I’ve been through a lot of things in my career,” said Soroye, who contracted malaria the summer after his freshman season, “so I haven’t let it get me down or anything. It’s been one of those things that you just deal with in life.
“I’m feeling good now. The guys played really well. We need to build on it against Clemson [on Sunday].”
Early in the first half, Soroye scored on a shot in the lane as he was being fouled by FSU’s Xavier Gibson. In the second half, Soroye made a layup off a nice feed from Jeff Jones.
An encouraging sign for Soroye came a few minutes later when he swatted the shot of Seminole 7-footer Solomon Alabi. Soroye was called for goaltending on the play, but the mere sight of Soroye having some spring in his legs was good to see.
Of course, no Soroye story, just like those “Friday the 13th” movies, can end well.
Late in the second half, Soroye, just like Jason, took some physical punishment when he was poked in his left eye and had to leave the game.
“I couldn’t see for a while,” Soroye said.
Don’t be surprised to see Soroye in a hockey mask come Sunday.