Just like a lot of you, when news came out that sophomore guard Chauncey Gilliam would be out for the fall semester at least, I was shocked. When the man who became the team's best offensive threat gone for a couple of months is never a good thing. Especially when you're trying build for the future of the basketball program.

The majority of the 2007-08 America East Championship team is no longer in uniform and it is time to start changing the identity of UMBC men's basketball. No longer will the Retrievers be able to depend on Jay Greene and Daryl Proctor, leaving Gilliam as the guy to take on one of the leadership roles for the team. With two of the best players UMBC men's basketball history in Proctor and Greene out of the lineup it was a no-brainer that Gilliam would touch the ball on almost every single offensive possession. Now that he is gone this throws things into a state of uncertainty for this upcoming basketball season.

Last year UMBC as a team averaged 69 points per game. Greene, Protcor and Gilliam accounted for 43.6 of those 69 points. Then add in the fact that Rich Fleming who was fifth on the team in scoring with 6.7 points per game is no longer a member of the Retrievers and there is cause for concern. If you're coach Randy Monroe, how do you make up for such a drop-off in scoring? The loss of Greene and Proctor was already bad enough but losing last year's third-best scorer weeks before the season begins is not how you want to get your team ready for the 2009-10 season.

Not only was Gilliam the team's third best scorer with 10.9 points per game, he was also first on the team in field goal percentage(.514) and led the team in three-point field goal percentage(.457). Gilliam's knack to put the ball in basket wasn't his only strength. His ability to penetrate to the paint and attack the basket opened up opportunities for Justin Fry and Matt Spadafora in the post. With Gilliam gone at least until the end of this calendar year, defenses will be able to focus their attention on the remaining players on the court and not have to worry about number 23.

Now that Gilliam, the go-to-guy on offense, is gone there is a void in the leadership role as well. Something that could be prove to be vital especially for as young as this team is. This freshman class of Jamar Wertz, Nick Groce, Adrian Satchell, Brain Neller and Shawn Grant may be the most talented in the school's history, but they are still freshmen. Gilliam showed flashes of great potential last season but he was inconsistent. Not because he was bad player but because he was a freshman and that is to expected. The same rule will apply to this incoming class no matter how talented they are.

When it comes to college athletics, as important as the games are, what is more important is what is done in the classroom. A lesson that Gilliam is having to learn the hard way. Unfortunately in a lot of ways this team will suffer as well as he is unable to compete, affecting the team's chemistry in the process.