Quick. Somebody pinch Pete Gillen. Make sure he knows this isn't just a bad dream.
On Monday, Gillen's right-hand man and star guard decided to leave the Virginia men's basketball team for more profitable careers. Tom Herrion, who has been Gillen's assistant since his Providence days, will be leaving Charlottesville for the southern comforts of Charleston to become the new head coach of the College of Charleston's men's basketball team. Junior guard Roger Mason Jr., Virginia's leading scorer, ended a season of will-he or won't-he speculation by declaring himself eligible for the upcoming NBA draft.
After Gillen finishes with the formalities of wishing both well in their new endeavors, he will have to pick up the pieces from a basketball team that has lost two of its key individuals. The energetic Herrion kept players inspired from the bench, while smooth-shooting Mason kept the Cavaliers inspired from the court and was their best player in the clutch. Both will be missed, but the Cavaliers are very capable of overcoming both losses.
At first glance, Mason's decision to enter the draft leaves a gaping hole in the Virginia backcourt. If freshman point guard Keith Jenifer falters next season, who can be counted on to play the point? Who will replace Mason's team-leading 18.6 points per game? Most importantly, who do you give the ball to with the game on the line?
Although Mason may leave, the Cavaliers have the arrival of transfer Todd Billet and the return of the injured Majestic Mapp to look forward to. Mapp, a natural point guard, may start the season as Jenifer's backup, but could reclaim the starting job once he sheds his two years of rust. At worst, the Cavaliers turn to Billet, who was a capable point guard at Rutgers. But if Mapp improves on his 1999-2000 form and plays up to his talent level, the Cavaliers' backcourt will have improved drastically from last season.
Obviously, Mason's scoring will be hard to replace, but Billet and an improved Jermaine Harper should be enough to compensate. An excellent three-point shooter who set Rutgers' school record for most three-pointers in a season with 82, Billet should be able to step into Mason's shoes from downtown. Harper, a slashing shooting guard, has the potential to break out next year as an impact player if Gillen gives him more playing time. Besides, with 6-foot-10 transfer center Nick Vander Laan joining 6-8 forward Travis Watson and 6-10 forward Elton Brown in the frontcourt, opponents will have their hands full with Virginia's post players, giving Billet, Jenifer and Harper the opportunity to wreak havoc from the perimeter.
Will the Cavaliers be a better team with Mason in the fold? Absolutely. Will Virginia fall flat on its face without Mason? Probably not.
Herrion's departure, however, may prove to be a different story. Good assistants are as important to a team's success as good players, but good assistants are harder to find. Look what happened to the Georgia Tech football team once offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen left for Maryland: Friedgen led the Terrapins to a 10-2 record and the ACC crown while the Yellow Jackets dropped to a three-way tie for third place in the conference.
Gillen had the presence of mind to bring Herrion with him when he left Providence for Virginia. But after cultivating an eight-year coaching relationship with Herrion, Gillen will find himself without his trusted assistant by his side. How Gillen reacts remains to be seen. During games, Herrion matched Gillen shout for shout and intensely berated and directed Virginia's players. Gillen will sorely miss Herrion's presence on the bench.
Will Gillen ever be able to find another assistant who will match Herrion's tenacity and energy? Probably not. Will Gillen be able to motivate a very talented but often lackadaisical team by himself? We'll see.
Even though the Cavaliers will sorely miss Herrion and Mason, they still are capable of having a very successful 2002-2003 season. The players have to step up and fill Mason's big shoes on offense while Gillen will have to find another capable assistant. Or else.
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