So it begins. After a wait of what might have seemed like years for the Virginia men's basketball team, it is finally time to shove off last year's late-season collapse and begin anew, as they are set to begin their exhibition season Sunday against Big Apple Basketball.
Many spectators will recognize this year's team, since there is a good chance that at least three players who were ineligible for last year's team will be on the court when the season begins Sunday at 3 p.m.
After four weeks of banging against teammates in practice, the Cavaliers are ready to put the hurt on opponents for the first time since March, when they ended the season with three straight losses.
"It will be good to get back on the floor," coach Pete Gillen said. "We still have a lot of work to do before the season begins, and so we hope to play a good game."
The exhibition season will be much more important this year than in years past, as the Cavaliers try to determine which lineup will work best and what players will step into the spotlight. One player who is already in the spotlight, and who will have to have a big year for Virginia to have a successful season, is senior Travis Watson.
The 6-foot-8, 255-pound All-American candidate will man a new position this season, as he will be able to move back to the power forward slot. Newcomer Nick Vander Laan will play the center position this season. While Watson is happy to move back to his natural position, he insists that his style of play won't be completely different than what fans are used to.
"It's pretty much going to be the same this season," Watson says. "I am just going to be facing the basket a little bit more. I am still going to play my style of play and be down low getting the rebounds. I am glad that I get to move back to power forward though, because it is my natural spot."
While Watson will be the anchor in the front court, transfer Todd Billet will look to anchor the backcourt, as he presents Gillen with the first "real" point guard the coach has since Majestic Mapp. Mapp is out with soreness in his left knee, at least until January.
"Billet gives us a stabilizing force," Gillen said. "He is a great player and has a tremendous mind for the game. He will definitely be one of our starters when the season starts."
Joining Billet in the backcourt will be sophomores Keith Jenifer and Jermaine Harper, both of whom saw plenty of action last season as freshmen. A surprise in the backcourt during the beginning of the season might be Virginia's only true freshman this season, Derrick Byars.
Gillen has said that he expects Byars to see some time at the two-guard spot, especially if fellow newcomer Devin Smith is healthy when the season starts.
Smith, who is a junior college transfer from Coffeyville, Kan., should see significant minutes this season if his knee is healthy. He had minor surgery in the beginning of September, and while his knee is almost back to full strength, Smith needs to recondition before he will be able to log major minutes.
"He needs to lose some [pounds]," Gillen said of the newcomer. "He has been eating like he is going to the electric chair."
It is not known whether Smith will be healthy enough to play during the exhibition season, but Gillen hopes to get him back before the season starts on Nov. 22.
If Smith is unable to provide major time at the small forward spot, sophomore Jason Clark could step up.
Joining Clark down low will be Elton Brown, who returns to the Cavaliers with a more fit body and renewed attitude.
"We are going to show some folks this year," Brown said. "I am tired of hearing about last season, and I think you will see a different team this season."
That fans will see a new team is quite obvious. The lingering question is how well this team will gel, and more importantly, if they can put up the wins. The Cavalier will begin creating their answer Sunday afternoon.
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