Top-seeded UVA got out to a 16-2 lead against Florida State in the opening minutes of their quarterfinal matchup in the ACC Tournament on Thursday, and junior Evan Nolte was a big part of the early flurry.
Nolte hit two threes in the opening stretch, one from NBA range, and another Nolte three from the left corner with 8:04 to go helped end a Cavs’ dry spell at a key moment.
“He hit the one we really needed. London penetrated baseline, and it was just a big three for us when we were really struggling to score,” UVA coach Tony Bennett said after UVA’s 58-44 win.
Nolte finished with 11 points, his last two coming on a pair of free throws with 1:50 to go that helped ice the game for the ‘Hoos.
The 6’8” forward was inserted into the starting lineup in place of second-team All-ACC selection Justin Anderson when Anderson went down to injury in the first half of the win over Louisville on Feb. 7.
His season stat line doesn’t look like one you’d expect to see from a guy who has nine starts. Nolte is averaging 2.9 points per game and is shooting just 34.5 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three-point range. But in his last five games, Nolte is averaging 7.2 points per game and is shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from three.
“I’ve been saying Evan has been so steady for us, and it hasn’t always showed statistically. Well, today it showed with him stretching that defense and making some good plays,” Bennett said.
Nolte attributes his improved shooting of late to the increased playing time that he’s been getting in place of Anderson, who returned today and played 12 minutes off the bench.
“Playing and getting a lot more minutes and reps also gets you in the flow and gets you in rhythm and used to those type of shots in game‑type settings,” Nolte said.
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Chris Graham
