The Virginia men's basketball season, which started out with such high hopes after a late November victory over then-No. 10 Arizona, has rapidly become a disappointment to many Cavalier fans. With a 1-7 record in the ACC, the biggest buzz surrounding the Virginia men's hoops program involves Coach Pete Gillen's job security rather than upcoming games or post-season possibilities.
In a season with so many negative aspects, there has, however, been one bright and shining light. That has been the emergence of freshman point guard Sean Singletary. This highly-touted recruit from Philadelphia, Pa., has won over Cavalier fans' hearts with his stellar play and winning attitude.
Singletary has earned the respect and praise of numerous opposing players and coaches, including Arizona head coach Lute Olson.
"What we have generally found out with freshmen is that they will play very well in the security of the home crowd," Olson said. "Generally speaking, they'll have problems that may come up on the road. But [Singletary] is very, very good."
In the Nov. 21 matchup against Olson's Wildcats, Singletary staged a coming out party at U-Hall, gaining national respect for lighting up Arizona with 15 points and six steals while dishing out eight assists and pulling down six rebounds. At the time, the future seemed bright for Gillen's 2004-2005 squad. Singletary's name was mentioned as one of the best freshmen players in the country, and the Cavaliers received a top 25 ranking for several weeks in a row. Singletary added to his burgeoning hype by scoring 25 points in Virginia's 89-87 victory over Auburn on Dec. 3.
With winter break and ACC conference play approaching, the storm clouds began to gather over Singletary and the men's basketball team. The freshman once again began to experience pain from a recurring shoulder problem, which forced him to wear a shoulder brace for several games. He scored zero points against Furman and two against Wake Forest, before slowly emerging from his scoring slump.
Singletary also has been hampered by a lingering ankle sprain. He showed a lot of character by notching 19 points against Duke in the unfriendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium, knocking down seven of 12 shots from the field and all five of his free throws. In Virginia's most recent debacle, the blowout loss to North Carolina at home 110-76, Singletary appeared to be one of the few Cavaliers who was fighting until the end despite the Cavalier's large deficit.
"Sean Singletary played well tonight," Gillen said after the loss to UNC. "He did a great job coming back from his sprained ankle and did an excellent job playing against Raymond Felton."
The Cavaliers have nine regular season games left, including eight conference match-ups. Singletary will have to continue his improvement and battle through the second half of the ACC season in order to salvage something positive from a thus-disappointing season.
Gillen, whose future job status may depend on how well Singletary can lead the Cavaliers over the second half of the season, expressed hope that Singletary will continue to improve.
"He's still learning," Gillen said. "Hopefully, [during] the second half of league play, he'll get better"
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