When the Cavaliers square off against the One World All-Stars this Sunday at 3 p.m., they will take the floor without one of their 'family,' as Jermaine Harper remains suspended indefinitely. The Cavaliers will look to leave U-Hall injury-free and well conditioned as the exhibition season comes to a close.
Virginia has been snake-bitten early this season with numerous injuries and suspensions. Two of the Cavaliers' more pivotal players this season, newcomers Devin Smith and Derrick Byars, have been sidelined by a knee and ankle injury, respectively -- but there is a chance that both could play for the first time this Sunday.
Gillen also will get back two of the three players who were suspended for last Sunday's 84-60 exhibition win over Big Apple Basketball. Keith Jenifer and Jason Clark will return to the lineup after serving one-game suspensions due to "violations of team rules." Harper, who also was serving that suspension, is still out indefinitely and will not be present with the team.
The players who did play against Big Apple last week gave the fans something to cheer about. The Cavaliers' front court, which figures to be one of the best in the ACC this season, scored 69 points and pulled down 47 rebounds. Gillen said he was happy with his big men's performance.
"Those guys played very well, but we have a lot of things to work on," he said. "I was happy with the way we played defense most of the game, and I really thought that all of our guys played their hardest and hustled the entire game. We still have some things we need to work on next week."
With the possibility of up to four players back on Sunday, both Gillen and the fans will have a better idea of what the team will look like this season. With the front court sound in all areas, and the point guard situation well taken care of by junior Todd Billet -- who also will play a lot of two-guard this season -- questions remain at the shooting guard and small forward positions this season.
"Derrick's ankle injury isn't as bad as we thought, and Devin is getting better," Gillen said. "They could play on Sunday, but we just don't know yet. We just have to play with the people we have."
Billet, who will look to stabilize the point guard position for much of the season, played well on Sunday, though his shot was somewhat rusty. The transfer from Rutgers scored 13 points, pulled down five rebounds, and dished out three assists.
He has been a tremendous shooter from three-point range, though he only shot 3-9 last Sunday. This weekend will provide another chance for the 6-foot guard to perfect his shot.
"He can really shoot the ball," senior forward Travis Watson said of Billet. "It is going to be good to have such a great shooter out there. It will take some heat off of the guys down low. We are really looking forward to playing with him."
If the Cavaliers go injury-free on Sunday afternoon, there is a chance they will be in full force when they open the season Nov. 22 against Long Island University.
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