Gillen: We're better than people think
Virginia's new coach curiously optimistic
Posted: Monday October 19, 1998 06:16 PM
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Gillen has led both Providence and Xavier to the NCAA tournament Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (AP) -- With only seven scholarship players
-- two of them freshmen -- and missing his top two players from last
year's 11-19 season, Virginia coach Pete Gillen remains optimistic
about the coming year.
"I think we're going to better than people think," said
Gillen, who left Providence in March for U.Va. "I think we have
good players, but they're going to have to step up."
"Our job is to try and do the best with the talent we have,"
he said Tuesday.
Last season, the Cavaliers were powered by Norman Nolan inside
and Curtis Staples outside. Both have graduated, and three other
scholarship players -- Monte Marcaccini, Chase Metheney and Craig
McAndrew -- have left the team.
The five returning scholarship players combined to average only
23 points and 15 rebounds per game last season. Of those, junior
center Colin Ducharme is the team's leading scorer (7.8) and
rebounder (5.0).
Gillen said he may try to recruit as many as seven walk-ons by
the time practice officially starts at midnight Friday, and
promised to run and press this season.
"We're certainly going to run, we're not just saying that,"
Gillen said. "I think our style is comfortable for players. I
think our style will make all of our players more relaxed."
The future, however, looks brighter than the present.
Gillen already has commitments from three top prospects and is
hopeful on three others. Also in the future is former Notre Dame
guard Keith Friel, who transferred to Virginia. Friel, who averaged
8.9 points per game as a sophomore for the Irish, will be eligible
to play next season.
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