A new season has generated a new team for the 2002-2003 Virginia men's basketball team. The Cavaliers have undergone significant structural changes with the addition and loss of several players and a new assistant coach.
Since the 2001-2002 season Virginia has suffered the loss of four key players: Roger Mason Jr., Chris Williams, J.C. Mathis and Adam Hall. Despite these departures however, the Cavaliers will not be left without a sense of hope and optimism for the upcoming season. To fill the gap of the four starters, head coach Pete Gillen has added four new players to his ranks. Transfers from last season, guard Todd Billet and center Nick Vander Laan, new transfer sophomore and wing player Devin Smith and freshman forward Derrick Byars are all expected to be critical factors contributing to Virginia's success.
"We have four very good newcomers," Gillen said. "They will all compete for starting jobs.
"I think we can have a very good team. I think we can be competitive at the top of the league, [but] it is going to take a little time for our team to blend and mix with everybody."
Collectively, the new players coupled with key Virginia returnees will add a dynamic to the Cavaliers that will likely affect and improve upon the success of last season's team.
Early last year, Virginia held a 14-2 record, and a top 10 ranking in two major polls. But as the Cavaliers continued through the season, they suffered tremendously in league play, and ended 2001-2002 with a 17-12 record.
"We were disappointed, we ended up 17-12," Gillen said. "We want to do more than winning 17 an going to the NIT, hopefully this season we can do better."
Headlining the team with extensive ACC accreditation is last season's second-team All-ACC selection Travis Watson.Watson is infamous for his skills in the post; rebounding, scoring and blocking shots. Gillen is well aware of Watson's statistics and the major leadership role he will assume this season.
"Travis Watson is a big key," Gillen said. "I think he can have a special year."
If Watson is able to progress through the season free of injuries, he will be a critical focal point for the Cavaliers and a powerhouse player in the ACC.
The Cavaliers are a much larger and stronger force than in previous years, which will enable them to assume a more physical presence on the court. Adding to the Cavalier front court is sophomore forward Elton Brown. Last season, Brown received ACC Rookie of the Week and an honorable mention to the ACC All-freshmen team with his scoring percentages and rebounds.
"The thing I really like is that were bigger, were stronger and were a better perimeter shooting team," Gillen said.
The Cavaliers perimeter game was streaky at best last season. This year, Virginia boasts new long-range weapons in Billet and Smith.
"I think Billet is a terrific shooter and I think Smith is a terrific shooter," Gillen said. "Those two guys add a lot to our team."
Virginia will also need to improve and strengthen its defense, especially in the half-court. As demonstrated last season, the ability of Virginia to put points on the board will not guarantee a win -- the Cavaliers must aggressively challenge the offensive efforts of the opposition.
"We got away with some stuff on defense in non-conference games, but when we got into conference play, teams found our weakness and we got exploited," Gillen said.
Sophomore guard Jermaine Harper also recognizes the difficulties of playing teams in the ACC. "In the ACC, you [have] to play hard because every single team is really good. You [have] to play hard against Clemson and Florida State. Florida State beat us last year and they also beat Duke. Any team in the ACC can come out and beat you."
Even so, the Virginia men's basketball team should face the upcoming season with confidence and poise. The versatility of the players' skills and abilities in several positions has also increased the depth of the team. Gillen will be able to utilize various line ups to maximize scoring opportunities, ensure a hard line of defense.
"I think we have versatility, we can go with any number of guys," Gillen said. "We have a lot of flexibility, I think that is a big plus for us."
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