Mens Basketball: The Citadel (4-5) vs Virginia Tech (5-4) 1PM ESPN3

Television/Internet
ESPN3 - Andrew Allegretta & Mack McCarthy

Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network - Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius 92, XM 194
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn

The Hokies come in to todays game having won their last contest over Alabama A&M 65-55, in a game that saw Buzz Williams send out some very unexpected lineups. That could continue today against The Citadel, who comes in 4-5, after a loss to Chattanooga. This team is much more talented than Alabama A&M, so Tech needs to be ready to defend better than they did in their last game.

The Bulldogs come in with only two players averaging in double digits, led by Ashton Moore(#12) scoring 16 ppg from the shooting guard spot. They also get 13.8 ppg from P.J. Horgan(#44), starting center along with being their leading rebounder at 6.8 rpg. Marshall Harris III(#10) is the starting point guard for this team, backed up by Warren Sledge(#5), together averaging about 8 assists per game. The Bulldogs run a four guard one big set, rely heavily on lane penetration to create opportunities for Horgan to score but also shoot almost 40% from behind the arc, so Tech will have to respect the outside shot. This is a team that tries to slow play down to allow their opponents the fewest possessions possible.

On defense, the Bulldogs quite often employ a full court press or at least a half court up close defensive style to slow their opponents and require pin point passing. They do an excellent job getting their hands on the ball as it crosses the lane on pass attempts. The Hokies will need to be very careful protecting the ball as the Bulldogs excel on turning their opponents over while limiting fouls. Opponents are only averaging 11 shots from the free throw line so far this season.

I expect that we arent through seeing Buzz using unusual lineups today, but I anticipate that Bibbs will be at the point guard again at least to start the game. They need to jump out early on the Bulldogs and play ahead or this will be a really hard game for the Hokies to win.

Hokies 57 - Citadel 54