The status of UVA guard Justin Anderson for Thursday’s ACC Tournament quarterfinal is still up in the air.
The program has indicated that Anderson will be a game-time decision for the 12 noon matchup with Florida State.
That’s the first news about Anderson’s possible availability since Monday, when coach Tony Bennett said the 6’6” junior would need to be cleared medically and then withstand a rigorous practice before he could be inserted back into the lineup.
Anderson has been out of action since breaking the pinky finger on his left (shooting) hand Feb. 7 against Louisville.
The second-team All-ACC performer had surgery on the finger, and was set to return last week for the March 7 rematch with Louisville, before undergoing an appendectomy on March 5.
Bennett said Monday that he would expect Anderson’s minutes to be limited upon his return at the outset.
Anderson is averaging 13.4 points per game on 48.0 percent shooting from the field and leads the ACC with a 48.4 percent rate from three-point range.
The stats website KenPom.com has Anderson rated the third most efficient offensive player in the ACC.
Virginia has gone 8-1 in Anderson’s absence, finishing out the win over Louisville when he went down late in the first half, then winning seven in a row before losing on a last-second shot to Louisville last weekend.
– Story by Chris Graham
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