IT'S GAMEDAY! #BeatClemson Cassell 7 PM ESPNU pic.twitter.com/qcLyNaRzje— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 21, 2017
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: February 21, 2017 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: Clemson
Site: Blacksburg, Virginia (Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
TV/Internet: ESPNU
Talent: Rich Hollenberg & Dino Gaudio
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
XM Radio: XM 193 (Internet 955)
Check out the Keys to the Game according to @LazeVT before tonight's game against Clemson!https://t.co/mIdp6HAbpe— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 21, 2017
Good to be Home when you Catch the Tiger by the Tail
Buzzketball gets back to the comfy confines of Cassell Coliseum tonight to face the Clemson Tigers. This is the second matchup this season between the Hokies and the Tigers. Clemson is 3-3 in their ACC games since playing the Hokies back in January.
At home, middle of the week, with a packed student section most likely. Vegas currently have the Hokies a slight favorite over Clemson. Clemson will be dealing with a bit of a heavy heart as their associate Athletic Director Bert Henderson was found dead today in the woods near his home.
This will be the Thirty Second meeting between the Hokies and Tigers. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 16-15. Virginia Tech won the earlier matchup this season 82-81. Hopefully the Hokies come out with the same energy they had against Louisville and put the Tigers away early. The game is nationally televised so another opportunity for the Hokies to make a solid impression on the selection committee.
The Tigers are coached by Brad Brownell, who has been at Clemson since 2010. He has finished with winning teams in all but one year guiding the Tigers. They are a consistent middle of the ACC team throughout his tenure.
Defensively, the Tigers focus primarily on a smothering man to man defense. The Tigers have forced opponents into over 15 turnovers per game. Their perimeter defense is also very stout, holding opponents to 35% shooting from the perimeter.
Offensively, Clemson runs a constant motion offense which Coach Brownell has expressed is becoming more and more difficult because with the growth of AAU and these singular player focused offenses its becoming harder to find the players willing to buy into the selfless requirements of a motion offense. So many players are used to being the center of attack and always touching the ball that its counter intuitive to them to give the ball away. Big men want the ball down low rather than to come high to set screens, essentially removing them from the offensive play. This said, Clemson has struggled all season offensively, especially in ACC play where they are in the bottom four in multiple categories. Their strength seems to be in turnovers leading to transition baskets and beyond that its difficult for the Tigers to get a real rhythm offensively.
What does that mean for the Hokies?
"If you don't think Virginia Tech is ready for primetime then you haven't been paying attention." - @TimBrando #getBETTER pic.twitter.com/fYn1dxXbqC— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 20, 2017
The Hokies have a chance to dominate inside. Clemson so far this season has not been able to deal with tough interior play and allows opponents to shoot 52% on the interior this season. This needs to be a focus of getting baskets or getting to the line today. The Tigers bigs have issues with fouling on driving attempts to the basket.
The Hokies have an opportunity to lock down a team tonight which will force all kinds of issues offensively for the Tigers. They struggle mightily offensively so if the Hokies come out with their energetic defense it should create a large gap between these two squads. I would hope that Buzz has his guys turn the pressure all the way up, especially coming out of the gate.
I would expect a high paced game, Tech needs to get out and run early and often. Change the pace of play so that the Tigers are forced to constantly reach for opponents. If the Hokies come out and stand around on offense like they have in other recent games they play right into the Tigers hands, as they are great defensively when they can sit on their assigned offensive player.
Today, the Hokies perimeter players must find a way to make their shots even being a bit uncomfortable. Buzz needs to get in Bibbs ear that he needs to shoot if he has a sliver of a chance, rather than just passing it around. Too often in the last few games we have passed too much and ended up rushing things at the end of a shot clock rather than take a better shot opportunity earlier on.
Tigers Backcourt
Avry Holmes (#12) 6'2, 195 Lbs Senior Guard almost doubled his season average against us in the first game by putting up 20 points. Holmes went 5-9 from outside in providing the Tigers with a big spark. He is averaging 11.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG and 1.1 SPG. He is shooting 45% from behind the arc and 43% overall. This is the perimeter shooter the Hokies most need to account for as he averages almost six attempts per game.
Marcquise Reed, (#2) 6'3, 185 Lbs Sophomore Guard comes in averaging 10 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.7 APG and 1.4 SPG. He is shooting 42% from outside but only attempts two per game. He also shoots better than 88% from the free throw line. Reed will be used to break down the zone defense that the Hokies like to play, crossing the middle of the court to create space for drives or passes.
Gabe Devoe (#10), 6'3, 210 Lbs Junior Guard is averaging 8.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 APG and 1.2 SPG. Devoe comes in averaging 25 MPG. Since our first matchup, Devoe has struggled, seeing declines in almost every numerical category. Even his shooting percentage has dropped by 4%.
Shelton Mitchell, (#4), 6'3, 195 Lbs Sophomore Guard is giving the Tigers about 27 MPG while averaging 9.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 3.8 APG. Mitchell has taken advantage of Devoe's struggles to improve all his offensive statistics since our last game. He is also seeing the floor for almost two more minutes per game. Mitchell is the closest thing this team has to a point guard with how much rotation the top of the key sees in their motion offense. This is also Mitchell's first season with the Tigers after transferring from Vanderbilt.
Tigers Frontcourt
Jaron Blossomgame, (#5), 6'7, 215 Lbs Senior Forward is in contention for ACC Player of the Year yet in the first half of our first game he essentially disappeared, then the second half started and he delivered a huge performance in a nail biter for the Tigers finishing with 20 points. He is averaging 17.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 1 BPG. Blossomgame is almost the complete focus of the Tigers offense and he is difficult down low. His interior scoring is at 50%. The Hokies should be less worried about Blossomgame and more focused on limiting his teammates to win this game.
Donte Grantham, (#15) 6'8, 215 Lbs Junior Forward, was another Tiger that significantly picked up their game against the Hokies putting in 15 points. He is averaging over 30 MPG and comes in putting up 8.3 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1.8 APG. He is shooting 39% from the field, 32% from behind the arc and a solid 80% from the line. Grantham likes to step outside to shoot the three. He is averaging almost 5 per contest. The Hokies can't afford to let Grantham open like they did Stephens of Georgia Tech.
Elijah Thomas, (#14) 6'9, 230 Lbs Freshman Forward has seen his minutes steadily increase since playing us last, going from 13 MPG to 18 MPG. He has only played in the second half of this season after dealing with an early injury this season. He is averaging 7.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, .9 SPG, and 1.4 BPG so far in his limited time.
Sidy Djitte, (#50), 6'10, 240 Lbs, Senior Center was the one keeping Clemson in the game early on when Blossomgame had foul troubles and the other bigs couldn't get things going. He is averaging 6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, .8 BPG, and 1.1 SPG. His Achilles heel though are personal fouls. He is averaging over 3 per contest. Too often guards get him off his feet and are able to draw contact for the foul.
Name the Announcers will Butcher
Sidy Djitte seems to be the winner on this roster. Beyond him, no one seems to rate even an honorable mention.
What to expect from Clemson?
After the last contest between these two teams, expect to see one thing right from the get go. Clemson shooting three's. They hit 13 in the last game, almost 5 above their season average. Not being challenged on the perimeter allowed Clemson to stay in the last contest to the very end.
The Tigers have expanded their roster usage since our last game, probably fighting off fatigue. Expect to see ten Tigers tonight. Seven of those players average more than 1 steal per game so far this season. This says that the Tigers across the board will be looking to disrupt passing lanes and create transition opportunities. The Tigers are one of the more athletic teams in the ACC.
Blossomgame, Blossomgame, Blossomgame. Beyond that the Tigers have pretty balanced scoring from about six other players. That's really where Tech needs to focus their energies. Blossomgame is likely going to get his but if he is the only one than it's a big swing in momentum.
Expect to see a full court press utilized quite often by Clemson, even if its just perfunctory to slow the ball from reaching the half court. Every second they take off the clock is that many fewer passes the Hokies have to find an open shooter.
The Hokies
Tech needs to be focused and moving around on offense to limit the Tigers ability to get in passing lanes and create turnovers. Hopefully what the Hokies showed against the Cardinals will carry over into this contest at home.
Tech needs to be able to get to the basket frequently but doing so intelligently. They did this exact thing against the Tigers last time out and it put several of Clemson's bigs right on the bench. Don't overcommit so much that you essentially hand your opponent the ball at the rim. Get into the body of the Clemson bigs and they will respond by fouling. Its been their one big weakness defensively this season.
If you weren't watching Ty before, now would be a good time to start...@tydollasign44 pic.twitter.com/5XNAgl5fbO— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 20, 2017
Ty Outlaw will have his second best game yet as a Hokie. I expect double digit scoring for a second game in a row. This time though it will be more from stepping inside the perimeter rather than just being the stationary shooter. For those that didn't catch what Outlaw did in the loss to Louisville, it was just a line of 19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block on 87% shooting from the floor and 83% from behind the arc. Having Clarke gone seems to have awaken something in Outlaw.
Bibbs or Hill have to deliver some outside punch in this contest as our other shooters likely wont match how well they shot in the last game. Need to get at least five trey's from these two on the game.
Highlight of the Louisville Game
Unbelievable fight in this team.We're back home on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/4kkv5a3ESY— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 18, 2017
The Heart of this team, without Clarke, on the road against a top 5 defense, and this team puts up 90, read it 9-0 points. 65% from outside the Arc, 80% from the line. Tech put up 10 more points on the Cardinals than anyone else this season.
In Closing
Clemson will look to kick start their offense through Hokies turnovers leading to uncontested threes. The Hokies have to limit these opportunities because even with the great offensive effort against Louisville, the Hokies still gave up 12 threes. Don't let the Tigers hang around. Close out on the perimeter and open up a double digit lead by the half.
Keep the pace that they found against Louisville, moving the ball and themselves and create the openings that either lead to fouls or open looks.
Clemson is going to be hungry for a win as they are teetering on the edge of being eliminated from any kind of postseason. The Hokies can ill afford to let Clemson jump out on them early in this contest.
The Hokies win 78-65 by being stout on defense and hitting their shots. Shutting down the Tigers on the perimeter while getting their bigs in early foul trouble will create some space between these two teams. Take that step towards the tourney by notching the 8th conference win.
: https://t.co/DrA3eSsZyz pic.twitter.com/wUx0CyALoq— Buzz Williams (@TeamCoachBuzz) February 17, 2017
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