Virginia Basketball: Biggest Things We've Learned About Cavaliers in 2014-15

The 2014-15 college basketball season is down to the final weeks before March Madness begins in earnest next month. For the Virginia Cavaliers, it's been a dream season thus far. 

At 21-1, and 9-1 in the ACC, the Cavaliers are ranked No. 2 in the nation and once again sit atop the ACC standings. 

Saturday's win over Louisville was a big one for the Hoos—however, it did come with a price. Junior guard Justin Anderson, arguably UVa's top player, broke a finger on his shooting hand and will be out 4-6 weeks, per Whitey Reid of the Daily Progress. 

While it is a major loss for Virginia, head coach Tony Bennett wants to take the safe approach with Anderson's return, via Reid:

"

It’s how quick can you get him back [while] being smart and not pushing the envelope, but getting him back when he’s safe, able to do stuff and with good function in his hand. He’ll stiff infuse his life and his energy into the game – in that regard. And sometimes when you’re sitting out, you see some things and it can help you [when you return].

"

Anderson's loss will be a big test for UVa over the next four weeks, but this team has the talent and depth to withstand his absence. While losing Anderson is the biggest news surrounding Virginia basketball at the moment, it's important to realize the Cavaliers are still the second-ranked team in college basketball.

Here are four things we've learned about Virginia thus far in the 2014-15 season. 

Virginia Still Has the Best Defense in the Nation

Andrew Shurtleff/Associated Press

The Cavaliers making life difficult for All-American Montrezl Harrell

Virginia is No. 1 nationally in scoring defense, allowing opponents to score an average of just 50 points per game. The Cavaliers have held three reputable opponents, including ACC foe Georgia Tech, to under 30 points. 

Opponents shoot just 35 percent against the Hoos, good for No. 3 in the country and tops in the ACC.

Talented big men like Jahlil Okafor and Montrezl Harrell have struggled to score in the paint against the Cavs. Virginia's pack-line defense is always a nightmare for opposing big men, and that will not change. 

While many could argue that No. 1 Kentucky is the nation's best defensive team, it bears pointing out that the Wildcats are virtually eight or nine players deep in McDonald's All-Americans. Virginia gets it done playing team defense year after year. Players buy into Bennett's team-first philosophy, and that's the biggest reason Virginia's defense is impenetrable. 

The Cavaliers Are the Best Team in the ACC

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Virginia coach Tony Bennett

The standings don't lie—Virginia is the ACC's top team for the second year in a row. Now, whether the Cavaliers finish the season this way remains to be seen. 

Virginia's only loss—to Duke in a game it controlled—could have rattled a lesser team. But not the Cavaliers. Just two days after the stunning home defeat, UVa headed down to Chapel Hill and thoroughly dominated the then-No. 12 Tar Heels. That's how great teams respond to a loss.

Virginia must avoid trap games, like the one at N.C. State this week. UVa is strong enough on the defensive end to offset the loss of Anderson. However, if the Cavaliers allow teams to get easy points in transition, they could be in trouble. 

Regardless of what happens over the next four weeks, Virginia appears set for one of the top seeds in the upcoming ACC Tournament. 

Malcolm Brogdon Is Back

Andrew Shurtleff/Associated Press

Malcolm Brogdon

Not that he was ever gone, but Malcolm Brogdon's play has really picked up over the last two weeks. He's shooting better from beyond the three-point line and he's taking it to the rim with more frequency.

And his defensive play is still the most underrated aspect of his game. He or Anderson is usually assigned to the opponent's top perimeter player. He can guard three positions with ease and make life difficult for opposing point guards because of his size and strength.

The next four weeks are pivotal for Brogdon. He will have to take charge of the offense and continue his impressive play. His calming presence is good for a team that will likely look to younger players such as Marial Shayok, Devon Hall or B.J. Stith to step up on the offensive end. 

UVa Is Far from a One-Man Show

Andrew Shurtleff/Associated Press

Justin Anderson with a dunk in the win over Louisville

Anderson's injury is a tough blow for the Hoos. However, as strange as it seems, it couldn't come at a better time for UVa. 

Virginia's schedule softens up a bit until the regular-season finale at Louisville on March 7. That's not to say things will be easy—they won't—but facing the lower half of the ACC is a bit of a reprieve for a team missing arguably its best player. 

The best part about this team, and most Tony Bennett-coached teams, is they aren't star-centric. UVa has a number of players capable of picking up their respective games and leading the Cavs to victory. Players like Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey can take over games in the paint, while Shayok, Hall or Evan Nolte can give the Hoos a lift off the bench.

Losing Anderson hurts, but this could be good for Virginia before postseason play begins next month. Younger players will be forced to get game experience, and that could make the Cavaliers an even deeper team during March Madness. 

All stats courtesy of NCAA.com