Virginia's inexperienced lineup in for a struggle

Dave Leitao was on a roll, detailing some of the things that will have to break Virginia's way if the Cavaliers are to have a successful 2008-09 season.

Mamadi Diane, the team's only senior, will have to emerge as a leader.

Sophomores Jeff Jones and Mike Scott will need to take their games to a higher level.

Someone among Virginia's unproven big men will have to emerge as an inside scorer.

And, the Cavaliers must find a reliable ballhandler.

"Wrap it all in a bow," Leitao said. "And, if it's not the other team's night when we play them..."

So many questions, so few sure things. That sums up the outlook for the youngest team Leitao has had since arriving in 2005. Like that one, this team is projected to struggle, with many picking Virginia last in the ACC.

Leitao's first team also had one senior, but found reliability and leadership from guards J.R. Reynolds and Sean Singletary and exceeded expectations by going 7-9 in the conference and reaching the NIT. Reynolds finished in 2007 and Singletary last season, leaving this feeling very much like the start of a new era.

"Everybody's kind of stepping into a new role," Diane said.

No one more than Diane, a quiet sort who has played in the shadows of Reynolds and Singletary throughout his career. At 6-foot-5, he's Virginia's leading returning scorer and best 3-point shooter. The question is whether he can be more assertive in leading his younger teammates.

"It's a work in progress," Leitao said.

Diane doesn't expect to be as vocal as Singletary. He hopes his play will speak for him.

"I'm looking to be myself and lead in my own way," he said.

Diane had offseason foot surgery but is expected to be fine physically. The Cavaliers are hoping for the same with guard Calvin Baker, who has a stress fracture in his left foot but was cleared to practice Oct. 30.

Baker is the closet thing Virginia has to an experienced point guard. He spelled Singletary there in spurts last year and could be needed again, depending on the development of redshirt freshman Sammy Zeglinski.

Leitao has some interesting options on the wing. Jones started eight games before fading last year. Freshman Sylven Landesberg is Virginia's highest-rated recruit in almost 10 years.

With six players 6- 8 or taller, the Cavaliers will have plenty of size up front. The infusion of height should allow Scott, a Deep Creek High graduate, to move to his natural power forward spot. The return of 6-11 Tunji Soroye from knee and back injuries that caused him to miss all but two games last season should help the interior defense.

The D needs help, and on more than the inside. Virginia was 11th in the ACC in field goal percentage defense last year. The dynamic Singletary made up for a lot of mistakes by scoring quickly on the other end, but there's no one like him on this team.

"More than ever, our margin of error has to be kept to a minimum," Diane said. "We don't have the type of team that's experienced enough to make up for mistakes."

On a team loaded with question marks, that much is certain.

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com