When I spoke Friday to U.Va. basketball coach Dave Leitao, I got the impression that he was leaning toward using his final scholarship for 2008-09 on 6-11, 250-pound center Tunji Soroye.  I’m hearing now that Soroye indeed will be back for a fifth year.  A release from U.Va. is expected tonight or tomorrow.

Soroye, a native of Nigeria, played in only two games as a senior in 2007-08 because of knee and back injuries, and he requested a medical redshirt from the NCAA.  He’s started 36 games as a Cavalier and has career averages of 1.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots.

His return means U.Va. will have five centers on its 2008-09 roster: Soroye, 6-8 senior Laurynas Mikalauskas, 6-8 junior Jerome Meyinsse, 7-0 freshman Assane Sene and 6-11 freshman John Brandenburg.  As his offensive game develops, Sene may be able to play power forward, too.

Virginia starts practice tomorrow for its late-month trip to Montreal for three exhibition games.  The Wahoos are allowed 10 practices before leaving for Canada.