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Welcome back Hokie fans, as we get set to participate in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against Northwestern. This should be the best quasi equal test on our OOC schedule this season. The Wildcats have lost to North Carolina and they have one other win against a Power Five Conference opponent in Missouri. Their other four games are against filler teams.
Tech will need their big men to be ready in this game as we go up against our first true Division 1 BIG man, in Alex Olah, (#22), 7'0, 270 Lbs. Senior Center. Olah is averaging 10.3 PPG, 7 RPG, and 1.8 BPG while shooting 56% from the field. He also shoots a respectable 76% from the line so we don't have a Hack-a-Shaq option here.
Bryant McIntosh, (#30) 6'3, 177 lbs Sophomore Guard leads the Wildcats in scoring, putting in 17.3 PPG while still managing to dish out 6.2 APG. He is the engine that makes this offense go. He is deadly from just about anywhere, currently shooting 50% from the field, 52% from behind the arc and 89% from the line. Tech cannot afford for this guy to be open from outside or we could be in for a long night ala Iowa State. He is attempting 4.5 threes per game right now which isn't too threatening but leave him open and that number could skyrocket.
The only other Wildcat in double digits so far this season is Senior Guard Tre Demps, (#14) 6'3, 198 lbs who is managing 16 PPG and 3.2 APG but with not so deadly a shooting touch as his partner. He comes in shooting 42% from the field, 34% from behind the arc and only 70% from the line.
Both of these guards are known for their defensive knack, causing 7 turnovers a game and grabbing 6 rebounds defensively. They play predominantly a shifting zone, providing help side defense and looking to force bad shots rather than allow penetration to the lane.
Supporting this trio of players to fill out the floor are Scottie Lindsey (#20) 6'5, 175 lbs Sophomore Guard, Sanjay Lumpkin (#34) 6'6, 220 lbs Junior Guard and backing up the big man is Aaron Falzon, 6'8 205 lbs Freshmen Forward.
There is one more player that Hokies fans will recognize. For the second game in a row, Tech faces a former Hokie in Joey Van Zegeren, who is managing 3.8 PPG and 3.7 RPG as a backup to Olah. Hopefully the Hokies can force Olah into foul trouble early and can get JVZ and the freshmen into the game. Totally different quality of play if that happens tonight.
On Offense Northwestern employs a constantly moving screen game, which has gotten them in some foul trouble with the new emphasis on the shifting screen this season. That said, this team has enough shooters to beat Tech if we fail to play perimeter defense as we seem to have a serious problem so far this season. As a team they are shooting 40% from behind the arc, so that could be a consistent problem all night for Tech if they don't get out and defend.
The Wildcats are averaging under 20 free throw attempts per game which is a positive in Techs favor as it indicates they are not often creating foul opportunities in the lane which should allow Tech to expand out its defensive front.
On Defense, the Wildcats tend to employ a 1-2-2 zone or utilize man to man depending on what the situation and tempo calls for. The Wildcats are coached by a Coach K disciple in Chris Collins so expect to see pressure defense early in each half as Northwestern tries to create distance between itself and Tech on the scoreboard early.
The keys to this game in my opinion is how do Tech's big men, especially Blackshear, match up against Olah. If they limit his touches and force him away from the basket than things should go well. If however, they get in early foul trouble and are not able to keep him from the rim than this game could be over early.
Obviously the other key is preventing perimeter scoring as Northwestern attempts 23 shots from outside the arc on average so far. Tech cannot afford to allow the Wildcats to hit 8-10 threes and hope to win.
Tech poses a significant problem for the Wildcats in how it drives to the basket. The ability to draw fouls could create favorable matchups later in the game if Tech controls the basketball on offense and takes good shots. That said, they will also need to stay strong shooting free throws to stay in the game.
Tech 76 – Northwestern 72. This was a tough call but I think the athleticism on our roster can overcome the experience of Northwestern. I unfortunately wouldn't be shocked if it went entirely the other way though if the Wildcats are hitting threes.
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