As the Virginia men's basketball team loses game after game this conference season, Cavalier fans haven't had much to cheer about. After last year's NCAA Tournament run had many critics convinced that Virginia would remain in the top half of the ACC this season, the team's return to mediocrity has been accompanied by a feeling of withdrawal from the ecstasy of last year's success for fans.
One player who always brings the crowd to life, however, is sophomore forward Andy Burns. The 6-foot-8, floppy redhead who walked on last year is a fan favorite to say the least, bringing rousing cheers when he enters games in which the outcome has already been decided.
"It's incredible," Burns said. "I think [the fans would] rather me just chuck up half-court shots all the time, but coach [Dave] Leitao probably wouldn't like that. I try to play my hardest, play my best whenever I get in there, and hopefully they respect that."
Burns hails from Alexandria, Va., where he attended Bishop Ireton High School. As a senior, Burns was named his team's Most Valuable Player while averaging 16 points and eight rebounds per game, and earned third-team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference honors and Virginia Independent All-State honorable mention honors.
After being one of four Virginia players to make the team as a walk-on last season, Burns was relegated to the end of the bench, where he could only watch as Virginia catapulted itself into an NCAA Tournament berth. Burns, however, was thrilled just to be a part of such an outstanding program.
"Last year we were a top-25 program in the nation," Burns said. "Not a lot of people can say that they're on that type of team. There's not that many people that are blessed to be able to play college basketball."
From the beginning, according to Burns, Leitao made it clear that Burns would have to earn every ounce of playing time. Burns has yet to see meaningful minutes on the floor; however, the sophomore is not frustrated by his meager game role.
"I know if I get in there, I'll play hard," Burns said. "But the other guys, they play hard too, so you can't get mad because somebody's better than you."
This team-oriented attitude has Leitao speaking volumes about Burns' character on and off the floor.
"I have a ton of respect for a guy like Andy who comes here without a promise," Leitao said. "He's the kind of guy where we're all going to be working for him someday."
When he does get in, he makes the most of the opportunity, even if it is clean-up time. In his 40 career minutes on the floor--the equivalent of a full college game--Burns has accumulated 10 points and 10 rebounds. His three career field goals include a 3-pointer last year against Longwood, a skill that he prides himself on.
"I like to think I have a pretty good shot," he said.
Even through the bench-warming, the ups and downs of Virginia's fortunes the last two years and the enormous time commitment that takes away from other activities that Burns enjoys
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