Zeglinski Update

By Jeff White (jwhite@virginia.edu)

CHARLOTTESVILLE — All things considered, the UVa men’s basketball team received excellent news Tuesday.

Guard Sammy Zeglinski is expected to play this season, second-year coach Tony Bennett said before practice this afternoon at John Paul Jones Arena.

Zeglinski, who started 29 games for the Cavaliers last season, had an operation Tuesday on his left knee. There were concerns that Zeglinski’s injury might be season-ending, Bennett said, but the surgery, by Dr. David Diduch, went well, and the 6-1 redshirt junior is expected back after approximately eight weeks.

That was probably the best-case scenario for Zeglinski, Bennett said.

UVa opens the season Nov. 12 against William and Mary. The Cavaliers play seven games in November and six in December.

Virginia’s ACC opener is Dec. 5 at Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers’ second conference game is not until Jan. 8, when North Carolina visits JPJ.

Injuries have hindered the college career of Zeglinski, who like former UVa great Singletary graduated from William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia.

Zeglinski missed most of the 2007-08 season, his first at UVa, because of a hurt ankle that was operated on twice. After receiving a medical-hardship waiver, Zeglinski returned as a redshirt freshman in 2008-09.

He averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 2009-10 despite playing much of the year with a hip injury that required surgery after the season.

Zeglinski played both guard positions last season and led the team in 3-pointers, assists and steals.

While Zeglinski is out, sophomore Jontel Evans and freshman Billy Baron will handle the point-guard duties for UVa. Evans started 11 games last season.