Mens Basketball: Boston College (10-18, 2-14) at Virginia Tech (10-19, 2-14) 9PM ESPNU

Television
ESPNU - Bob Picozzi & Malcolm Huckaby

Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network - Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius: 93 XM: 193
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn

Battle of the Cellar Dwellers....both teams come in with 2-14 conference records with two games each remaining. Tonights game likely seals the deal for who will be last in the conference. Tech faces Miami next, while BC has a more forgiving opponent in Wake Forest, so its possible that if Tech wins tonight and BC beats Wake we will have a three way tie with Georgia Tech.

Both with beat up records but BC comes in having won a game and ending a nine game skid, after defeating NC State handily 79-63, likely ending the Wolfpacks chances of getting into the NCAA at large barring a conference tourney title game run. Now for the other bad news. BC comes in with size for days....four players 6'11 or taller on the roster.


The good news is that only the 7'1 center, Dennis Clifford (#24) plays significant minutes for the Eagles. Its the guards and forwards that do most of the scoring for BC.


Olivier Hanlan, (#21) a 6'4, 190 lbs guard is averaging 19.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 4 apg. He shoots 46% from the field and 37% from behind the arc. Ultimately, as he goes, so go the Eagles. He dropped 24 points and 8 rebounds on the Wolfpack to lead BC in that win. If Buzz can find a way to keep him off the board, than Tech has a good chance of winning this game.


Aaron Brown, (#22), a 6'5, 215 lbs senior forward is Boston College's only other double digit scorer at 15.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg.

What to expect from BC on offense? They run a constant flex offense, everyone is always on the move, using screens to create openings, especially so on cutting across the lane, so the Hokies defense is about perfect by protecting the lane. The only issue is that BC also attempts about 20 three pointers per game and it seems that all players that do shoot the three shoot somewhere in the 30%-40% range. As for who shoots the most, Brown and Hanlan account for 332 of BC's 556 attempts. Thats roughly 60% of all attempts for this team. Keep a hand in each of these guys faces outside and cut down on BC scoring dramatically.

Defensively, Boston College struggles mightily, especially in transition. We could see a big game from Ahmed Hill tonight if the Hokies can create turnovers and move the ball quickly up court. Hill usually seems to be at the root of these transitions and may actually beat all players down the floor tonight and score. The other issue for BC, is that like Tech, they like to defend the lane, and risk the outside. If the Hokies are hitting their shots, they should have plenty of open looks tonight.

Tonight should also be a pretty even game on the glass for a change. BC comes in averaging just 1.2 more rebounds thatn Tech per game.

Tech has home court tonight, hopefully a good crowd in what could be their last best shot at a win. I know that the administration was running all kinds of specials to try to get a good crowd on hand. That and a chance to face a comparable opponent will have Buzz lighting a fire in these guys. Maybe I am just cruisin for a bruisin, but.....

Virginia Tech 74 - Boston College 62

Send the Eagles home in firm control of the basement of the ACC.

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West Virginian by birth, Hokie by choice

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West Virginian by birth, Hokie by choice

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The Orange and Maroon you see, that's fighting on to victory.

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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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Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

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Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

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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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"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

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Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

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