Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/53106
to finish last in 2009, then second to last each of the last two seasons. However, times are changing. At this year's event, which took place in A October in Charlotte, media members pre- dicted Virginia to finish fourth in the 12-team ACC. Only North Carolina, Duke and Florida State were ahead of UVa. "It's a sign of respect and a sign of how ex- perienced we'll be," Virginia fifth-year Mike Scott said. "From a respect standpoint, a lot of people are respecting us." The newfound admiration for UVa comes BY WHITELAW REID T THE LAST THREE ACC Media Days, there hasn't been a whole lot of respect for the Virginia men's basketball team. The Cavaliers were predicted "We've improved, and we've done little things that are going to give us a chance to be better this year," he said. "I think they have the right mindset. I think they're hungry to take the next step, and I have more of an expecta- tion for them to be better. "From that standpoint, I think that if they do things the right way, they'll position them- selves in a better place than we have been." AT THE POINT There's great experience at the position, but not great depth, so the Cavaliers can ill afford to have an injury. The spot will be manned mainly by Zeglin- ski and third-year Jontel Evans. Zeglinski has battled an assortment of injuries throughout his career, but now appears to be in his best shape ever. Malcolm Brogdon. Georgia's former Player of the Year has surprised a few people in the early going with his ability to play the position. It was thought that he would be more of a wing player when he was recruited. Brogdon, who can shoot the ball well, has displayed excellent strength. Already possess- ing an impressive physique, the 6-4 Brogdon isn't afraid of contact when he gets into the lane. "I think he can play the point," Bennett said. "I don't know if he's a pure point, but in our system, our ones, twos and threes all have to handle, play off ball screens, move without the ball, take it to places. "He's a good decision-maker, and he shows some signs of being able to play it. We'll wait until there's a game, wait until there's a little more competition coming at him — that will TAKING THE NEXT STEP from the fact that Scott and Sammy Zeglinski, another fifth-year, are back in the fold. In ad- dition, UVa also returns talented second-years Joe Harris, Akil Mitchell and KT Harrell, all of who got valuable experience last year. But Zeglinski, who still hasn't forgotten last season's crushing loss to Miami in the ACC Tournament, said everyone has been keeping things in perspective. "We haven't proven anything yet," he said. "Predictions are great, but we know we have to take it one day at a time, keep living in the moment and keep getting better every day. "We're not going to read too much into it." You can definitely lump Virginia head coach Tony Bennett into that category. "There's a Zen quote called, 'The art of do- ing what you're doing,'" Bennett explained. "Every team I've watched — whether they're the No. 1 team in the country or the bottom, there's an ability to just put your nose to the grindstone and lock in. And if that's good enough we'll end up where we want to be, where our goals are — and I think that's the best way to get to your potential." Bennett likes what he has heading into his third year at the helm. He said he expects Virginia to be in contention for a spot in the NCAA Tournament — a place the program hasn't been since the 2006-07 season. 16 ◆ CAVALIER CORNER Zeglinski said. When healthy, Zeglinski has shown an abil- ity to score in bunches and hit clutch shots. The Philadelphia native's big highlight last season was going off for 25 points in an upset win on the road over Maryland. His lowlight was a poor performance down the stretch of the shocking loss to Miami in the ACC Tournament. Zeglinski, like Scott, will be driven this sea- son by the chance to qualify for the Big Dance — something he's yet to do in his career. "It's definitely been a long journey," Zeglin- ski said, "but now that this is our last season we want to help take the program to the next level." Sharing time with Zeglinski at the point will be Evans, arguably the team's top defensive player. While the former football player is an ab- solute bulldog on defense, he struggles on the offensive end. Evans shot just 39 percent from the floor last season, though that was an increase from his rookie year when he made 37 percent of his field goal attempts. Virginia desperately needs improvement from Evans, who made just 5 of 14 three- pointers last season. The wild card at point guard is first-year Cavs Aim To Go Dancing By Putting Their Nose To The Grindstone "Going into this year I feel rejuvenated," determine it. But he's been a pleasant surprise in that regard." ON THE WINGS Of last year's six incoming first-years, Harris had the most successful season. The Chelan, Wash., native proved that he was an ACC-caliber player. Harris led the team with 65 three-pointers, which ranked second all time among Virginia first-years. His 41.7-percent shooting from behind the arc was the best by an ACC rookie since 2000. The 6-6 Harris is being counted on for even more this season. "He's got a shot. He has a weapon," Bennett said. "We always tell him to be aggressive. Offensively, we have some things geared for him. "He's tried to develop a little more off the dribble and get into the lane rather than just relying on being an outside shooter." Virginia's other key players on the wing are Harrell and Mitchell. Harrell averaged 8.0 points and 2.1 re- Second-year guard Joe Harris led UVa with 65 three-pointers in 2010-11 and shot 41.7 percent from behind the arc — the best by an ACC rookie since 2000. PHOTO BY ANDREW SHURTLEFF