Any college basketball team that carries just three upperclassmen (and no seniors) on its roster is usually considered very young and inexperienced. The 2004-05 version of the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team certainly possesses both of those traits, and will look to several returning underclassmen, as well as an infusion of young talent, to remain at the top of the Capital Athletic Conference.
Coming off back-to-back twenty-win seasons, an NCAA Division III Tournament appearance, and a Capital Athletic Conference Championship in the past two years, the Eagles lost all-time leader in assists and steals, Evan Fowler, as well as all-time leading three-point shooter Erik Rodriguez, and post player Mike Moore to graduation.
Coupled with a freak Achilles tendon injury to leading scorer Jon Hurd, who will miss the entire 2004-05 season, the Eagles will certainly have big shoes to fill to remain among the elite in the CAC, where they've lost just five games in the past two seasons. Heading the list of returnees is the 2004 CAC Rookie of the Year, Mike Lee. Last season as the Eagles' sixth man, Lee averaged 12.5 points per game and ranked among national leaders with 75 three-point baskets and a 41.7 shooting percentage behind the three-point arc. His scoring will be necessary if the Eagles are to return to the CAC Championship for the third straight year.
The front court looks to be a strength of the team, with returning center Kevin Moore and forward Ian Surners looking to find consistency in their sometimes outstanding games. Moore, whose wingspan reaches that of a seven-footer, has added bulk and confidence in the offseason, and will be a key to the Eagle offense and defense. His 35 blocked shots led the team and placed second in the CAC a season ago. Sumers, who plays much larger than his 6'3" size, is on track to become the next UMW player to surpass 1,000 career points, and is a very tenacious rebounder, averaging 4.9 caroms per contest. His 31 point outburst against Goucher and 28 points at York spurred the team to victories last season, and more of the same will be counted on this year.
The depth in the post is perhaps as good as it has been in nine years under Coach Wood, with returnees Drew DeMartini and Josh Wilson complementing freshman Jon Pierce, one of the Eagles' top recruits ever. DeMartini has shown increased confidence and strength in the early preseason, and could potentially be a force inside. Wilson is as athletic as any player on the roster, with excellent shot-blocking capability, but strength will be his key to success. Pierce attends UMW after choosing the Eagles over other top Division III programs such as Randolph-Macon and Hampden-Sydney, and possesses a deadly jumper, a strong inside game, and, to Coach Wood's happiness, a rugged attitude which Wood hopes will rub off on the entire roster.
Replacing a senior point guard is always difficult. Replacing the school's all-time steals and assist leader, and a two-time all-region selection, can be daunting, but excellent things are expected from sophomore A.J. Fitzgerald, who served as Evan Fowler's understudy a year ago. A good shooter, Fitzgerald will need to adjust to starting and the defensive rigors of playing 25-plus minutes per game, and his performance will be a barometer for the team's success.
Returning veteran guard Mike Mattson brings one of the best work ethics on the team, and his improved shot and strength as well as his leadership on and off the floor will be very important in the maturation of the young squad. Returning backup Paul Ruhmann and freshman Pete Goergen will provide minutes in relief of Fitzgerald as well. The three-guard position will be filled by a newcomer, probably by freshman transfer Justin Baker, who attended the College of William & Mary last year. A 6'3" speedster with a nice jumper and excellent defensive abilities, Baker will be asked to fill the void left by Hurd, who tore his Achilles tendon in September, and will return for 2005-06, but will not play this winter. Other guards who will look to make an impact include freshmen Kevin Gallinat, from powerhouse Archbishop Spalding High School, where he played under one of the top coaches in the country; Woodrow Bellamy, who had an outstanding career at Lake Braddock High School; and shooting sensation Brett Maynard, the son of a high school coach at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville.