Virginia guard Justin Anderson returned to action for the Cavaliers on Thursday, but in his first two games back, it hasn’t been the same Justin Anderson who was lighting up the ACC before breaking his finger on Feb. 7.
Anderson played 12 minutes in the team’s quarterfinal game against Florida State and 14 minutes in a semifinal matchup against UNC but was held scoreless in each of the two contests. Between the two games, he shot a combined 0-of-6 from the field and missed his lone free-throw attempt.
Before his injury, the junior was averaging 13.4 points per game.
“It’s part of being out for that long,” Tony Bennett said following the team’s 71-67 loss to the Tar Heels. “He certainly brought some passion and some heart.”
Despite missing UVa’s last eight regular-season games, Anderson made the All-ACC second team. Bennett hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Anderson’s bandage being removed before NCAA Tournament play.