Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (15-7, 5-4 ACC) vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-13, 3-7 ACC)
When: Sunday, February 13 @ 1:00 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA
The Opponent: The Hokies return to action after a week off for their first rematch game of the season against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The last time these two met, the Jackets used a late run and pulled away from the Hokies late in a 72-57 victory. As of now, that loss is the worst loss of the season for the Hokies as GT currently sits at No. 175 in the RPI.
Since the two teams last met, Georgia Tech is winless, losing four straight to Maryland, Miami, Clemson, and Florida State with all but the Miami game coming at home. Needless to say, the Hokies need to win this one as they can ill afford to fall to the hapless Jackets yet again.
Here’s a look at GT’s projected starting lineup:
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iman Shumpert | G | 6-5 | 209 | Jr. | 16.6 | 6.0 |
| 41 | Glen Rice Jr. | G | 6-5 | 206 | So. | 13.2 | 5.5 |
| 3 | Maurice “Moe” Miller | G | 6-2 | 189 | Sr. | 5.2 | 2.3 |
| 24 | Kammeon Holsey | F | 6-8 | 226 | R-Fr. | 4.0 | 2.9 |
| 5 | Daniel Miller | C | 6-11 | 258 | R-Fr. | 4.5 | 5.0 |
In the first game between the two this season, Iman Shumpert recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Shumpert wasn't the leading scorer, however, as Brian Oliver came off the bench to drop 28 on the Hokies on 11-of-18 shooting. This time, though, Oliver is out with a broken hand and the offense now revolves around Shumpert and Glen Rice Jr. The duo combined to take 51 shots in their 62-53 loss Wednesday against Florida State, yet only made 18. Needless to say, they Jackets don't have many scoring threats outside of these two.
Shumpert and Rice's production has increased recently, even when Oliver was in the lineup. Shumpert currently averages 18.5 ppg in ACC play, while Rice adds 15.6 ppg. In the last meeting, the Hokies were able to hold Rice to just four points on 1-of-5 shooting, something they'll need to do again on Sunday. Why is that? Because no one else on the current roster averages more than 6.8 ppg in conference play, and that comes from sixth man Mfon Udolfia (6-2, 187). The other three starters (M. Miller, D. Miller, and Holsey) all average less than 4.5 ppg in ACC games.
While the Jackets may be the worst shooting team in the league, they know how to create transition buckets with solid defense. GT averages nearly 10 steals per game and forces more than 17.5 turnovers per contest. In the previous meeting, the Hokies committed 18 turnovers, resulting in 17 fast break points and 20 points off turnovers for the Jackets. Those turnovers were also the reason why Tech eventually lost its composure and let the game get out of hand down the stretch.
Keys to VicTory:
- Defensive Energy
- Georgia Tech was the first, and only, team to really take advantage of the Hokies 2-3 zone. Most of their points in the halfcourt came from Shumpert driving and dishing to Oliver wide open at the free throw line for an easy jumper. Seth Greenberg was livid after the game in the lack of defensive intensity from his squad and how his team let the game get away from them. This time, he'll be stressing energy on defense and more than likely switching to a man-to-man or box-and-1 on Shumpert.
- Can I Get Some Guard Play?
- While Shumpert did record a triple-double against the Hokies, his biggest feat was arguably holding Malcolm Delaney to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. With Erick Green going 3-for-15 in the game, it came down to the play of Jeff Allen and Victor Davila who showed up for most of the game. Delaney and Green had a similar shooting spell against Boston College last week and have had a week to ponder just what went wrong in Chestnut Hill. Green has appeared to hit the sophomore wall, but according to reports, has been working nonstop to bust through that wall and come back stronger then ever. And Delaney? Well he usually responds after a bad game, just ask NC State.
- The Big Donut
- Jeff Allen was named ACC player of the week for his dominating performances in the Miami, NC State, and Boston College games. Allen has recorded four straight double-doubles and has posted double digit rebounds in six straight and 11 of the last 14 games. His 25-point, 19-rebound, 2-foul performance against BC showed just how good he can be if he stays out of foul trouble. Allen had a good game going against GT, but committed his fourth foul with more than 10 minutes remaining and was a non-factor down the stretch. Hopefully, his stats from the last four games can continue Sunday.
This game is big for the Hokies, but not just so they can avoid another terrible loss. It's the Blackout game at Cassell Sunday and while I understand how some people won't wear black because it's not a school color, this one is different. Every "Blackout" shirt bought at the bookstore or in Cassell for $10 is in honor of former Hokie Allen Calloway, who lost his battle with cancer in 2009. All of the money raised by these shirts will go directly to the VT Relay for Life in Allen's name. So why I understand people's point about the black shirts, perhaps think about just buying a shirt for a great cause, despite the color. See everyone in Black tomorrow...
