Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/412449
but he doesn't need more mass or more spring," said Bennett, when asked about Anderson's training regimen. "Certainly, he doesn't want to lose it, but sometimes being lighter is a little better on the joints. [Having] quickness, the ability to change direction and having more stamina — that's the goal behind the challenge. "Most guys do it throughout the season, but he's a unique one where he's kind of heavily muscled." In addition to losing weight, Anderson also went to work on improving his offense, which he said was something Bennett instructed everyone on the team to do. "He said work on your offensive game and spend so much time on your game that you own all of your skills and you come back with all of your skills as if they're a tool box for you," Anderson said. "You have your hammer, you have your screwdriver, you have everything that you need. He wanted us to fine-tune our offense because he said our defense was going to take care of itself and we were going to do more than enough preparing on the defensive end." Among the things Anderson really honed in on were his shooting and his ball handling. Last season, Anderson shot 41 percent from the field, 29 percent from three-point range and 72 per- cent from the free throw line. He led Virginia in scoring five times, including a season-high 23 against Missouri State in the Corpus Christi Challenge. In all, he scored in double figures 15 times, including six straight games from December through early January. In early February, Anderson was named ACC Player of the Week after averaging 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals in wins over Clemson and Maryland. Bennett is hoping that a trimmed-down Anderson can "play harder longer" as a third-year this season. "So many of our young guys, once they get fa- tigued, that's when they start to unravel in terms of decision-making," Bennett said. "Efficiency, sound- ness, sureness — when those things are accompanied with players with the physical abilities of the Justins and [Mike Tobeys] and all the guys we have, that's when players are at their best. I think that's the next step for him. "Justin's game, he provides that spark that very few can with a big block. But he also brings the hustle plays and physicality. I want him to use it on the glass, when there is the opportunity for a drive. He can stretch the defense. But again, it all comes down to, 'How can I help this team?' I think he's working hard to do that." This season, Anderson is expected to start, tak- ing the place of Harris who is now a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Anderson said the things he learned from Harris are invaluable. "Joe was huge in my career here at UVa," Ander- son said. "He took me under his wing." Anderson, who came off the bench in 32 of 37 games last year, is looking forward to taking another step in his growth as a player. "I've never thought about coming off the bench [again]," he said, "but if that happens, that happens and we're going to be successful." Added Anderson: "It doesn't matter at all. As long "That's the kind of role [that] sometimes people overlook. It's really significant on basketball teams. I just really appreciate the acknowledgement. I was trying to be a spark for the team off the bench." RANDOLPH ON WINNING THE ACC SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD