Men’s Basketball: Liberty Flames (2-0) at Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0) 11/19 7PM GAME THREAD

POSTING THIS EARLY SO STUDENTS KNOW TO GO GET A FREE CASSELL GUARD T-SHIRT

THIS GAME IS WEDNESDAY 11/19/2014 at 7PM

Television/Internet
ESPN3

Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on Digital:
Hokies Xtra & TuneIn
(free on downloaded apps)

This game is the first game of the Cancun Challenge, followed by additional games in Cancun over the Thanksgiving Break

The first 1000 students attending the game will get a free Cassell Guard T-shirt,

Against Liberty:
Games: 16
Overall Record: 13-3 (81.2%)
Home: 8-3 (72.7%) Away: 5-0 (100%)
Last Played: 58-46 Win

The Hokies come into this game after defeating UMD-ES to open the season 71-46. The Hokies jumped out early and never looked back, led in scoring by Justin Bibbs and Malik Mueller with fifteen points a piece. The scoring was fairly even across the team except for the big men, who were in foul trouble early and often.

The Flames also come in on a winning note, having defeated Randolph College 69-45 in their first game of the season as well as Delaware 61-55 on Monday night. The Flames are led by senior Forward Tomasz Gielo(#12) and junior Guard Joe Retic (#23). Gielo scored 14 points 9 rebounds in the first game, also going eight for ten from the free throw line and 23 points, 10 rebounds, going seven for eight from the free throw line in the second game. Joe Retic is averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 assists per game so far while running the point for 30+ minutes per game.

The other members of the Flames to keep an eye on are junior Forward David Andoh(#0) and senior Forward James Johnson (#13). These two gentlemen are averaging 18 points per game and 12 rebounds collectively. The three forwards are 6'9, 6'10, and 6'7 so Tech will need to be better prepared to handle big men down low than they were in the UMD-ES game. Liberty isnt going to simply let Tech run them out of the gym and if Van Zegeren and Pierce are unable to avoid the cheap fouls this game, Liberty would have a decisive advantage down low. That said, Mike Myers(UMD-ES) is still a better post player than any of the three Forwards from Liberty so there will be a decline in singular talent but an increase in total down low competitiveness.

Last member of the Flames to watch will be freshmen Guard A.C. Reid(#2). He is averaging 7.5 points and 1.5 assists per game playing the shooting guard role primarily but taking over the point guard position when Retic is out of the game.

Tech will need to aim to do exactly like they did in the UMD-ES game, which was to limit turnovers and create turnovers and transition them to points. It will be critical that Tech gets out to an early lead so that Liberty is not able to set the pace of play. The Hokies need the Flames to be constantly trying to catch up to expose their lack of true ball handlers and difficulty creating shots outside the paint against a much more intense Tech defense. The biggest concern will be the Tech big men being able to stay out of foul trouble as without them, the size differential between these teams is significant. They must especially try to prevent sending Gielo to the free throw line, considering he is fifteen for eighteen from the charity stripe on the year and this is a game that could swing significantly if Liberty gets a large number of points from the free throw line.

Tech should penetrate to the basket when using a four guard lineup to try to create foul issues for the Liberty big men which could limit the Flames ability to dominate in the paint. Being able to control the tempo of this game will be crucial for the Hokies. The Hokies will need this game to go fast with transition tempo creating open shots for Mueller and Bibbs before Liberty can set its half court defense. Due to the size differential, expect Tech to need a high percentage of mid to long range jumpers to fall to be able to open the floor for penetration in the paint.

Slow and methodical favors the Flames, fast and open favors the Hokies. I expect the Hokies to be able to keep this game fast and open. I anticipate that Tech will win this game going away with a score of 67-49.

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I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

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"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

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