GREENSBORO, N.C. – At the start of this season, Evan Nolte wandered in the wilderness when it came to his shot. In Thursday’s ACC Tournament opener for Virginia, Nolte was walking tall instead.

Nolte nailed 3 of 4 3-point attempts and scored 11 points as UVa eliminated Florida State, 58-44. He logged a plus-minus count of +18, the highest in the game.

“I’ve been saying Evan has been so steady for us and it hasn’t always showed statistically,” Cavalier coach Tony Bennett said. “Well, today it showed with him stretching that defense and making some good plays.”

Recruited as a player that could do exactly that, Nolte’s long-range shooting had mysteriously vanished early this season. In fact, Nolte made 9 of 39 3-pointers (23.1%) as a reserve off the bench. Some of those 30 misses were cringe worthy. Uncomfortable with his stroke, Nolte just couldn’t get on track as he flipped from the post to the wing depending on the situation.

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