BUZZKETBALL CENTRAL: BALL STATE CARDINALS (1-1) AT VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (1-0) 1130AM ACCNE 11/15/2018

GAME INFORMATION
#16/17 Virginia Tech vs. Ball State
Nov. 15, 2018 – 11:30 a.m.
Charleston Classic, Charleston, SC
SXM 193 (Streaming 955)

Picking Up the Pace

Buzzketball hosts Ball State in the first game of the Charleston Classic for the Hokies. The Cardinals come in blending returning talent with two transfers that account for the majority of its scoring. The rosters size wise are very similar, relying on a smooth handling point guard, big bodied wing players, along with a couple post players that contribute if they stay out of foul trouble.Ball State starts this season having finished 19-13 last year. This will be the first ever game between the Hokies and Cardinals.

The Cardinals are coached by James Whitford, in his sixth year at the helm of Ball State. In six years, his teams have finished with a winning record the last three seasons after a rocky start in his first two years. They have two CIT appearances in 2015 and 2016 when they won 21 games each season under Whitford. Whitford is 74-89 at Ball State, which has been his only head coaching position. So far this season the Cardinals are 1-1, starting with a win over Indiana State but followed by a loss to #24 Purdue.

Defensively, the Cardinals use the Pack Line Defense similar to that used by UVA but not quite the caliber of athlete. Whitford began using this defense while Associate Head Coach at Arizona. They are very good at limiting opponents made three pointers, holding opponents last season to 36%. The Cardinals struggled last season though against transition offenses especially on turnovers, where opponents averaged the second most points in the country against, which is a big plus in Tech's favor for this contest if those struggles continue. Once they get set in the half-court defense though, Ball State is prolific in blocks/altered shots as well as steals/forced turnovers using a high pressure defensive effort to disrupt lanes and shots.

Offensively, Ball State under Whitford uses ball screen weaves predominantly with a focus on getting the ball inside to the bigs. Historically they have not focused on perimeter shooting, relying more on their ability to get to the basket. They do however have several very consistent shooters from outside so its not something the Hokies can take lightly.

Cardinals Backcourt

Tayler Persons (#11), 6'3, 196 lbs, is averaging 17.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.5 APG and .5 SPG. He is knocking down threes at 44% and free throws at 82%. Persons has started as the point guard for Ball State for the last three seasons after transferring in from Northern Kentucky. His on floor vision and chemistry with Tajhai Teague on the inside outside combination allows each other to find open shots consistently.

KJ Walton (#10), 6'3, 200 Lbs Junior Transfer Guard from Missouri is averaging 14 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1 APG, and 1 SPG. He is shooting 50% from the field but is not a threat from outside. He is however a high energy defender with a long wingspan which helps around the perimeter.

Ishmael El-Amin (#5) 6'1, 195 Lbs Sophomore Guard acts as the backup point guard or sixth man depending on the rotation on the floor. He is averaging 7 PPG, 1.5 RPG, and 1 APG, while shooting 44% from outside. His time on the floor has seems to vary greatly depending on Persons. He is the guy most likely to come in mid game against the Hokies and catch fire outside and end up with a 21 point outburst.

Kani Acree, (#13), 6'6, 205 Lbs is a talented freshmen season that has yet to play but could see time during the tournament so Tech needs to be prepared for an additional Wing scorer that plays hard-nosed defense.

Cardinals Frontcourt

Tahjai Teague, (#25), 6'8, 215 Lbs Junior Forward is the predominant big man on this roster. He has averaged 14.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1 APG. He also has been a constant on the defensive end, so far averaging 2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. He has great chemistry with the starting point guard so expect to see prolific ball movement between the two. He has struggled in staying out of foul trouble, with 7 fouls in two games so far.

Trey Moses, (#25) 6'6, 230 lbs Senior Forward put up 12 points, 5 rebounds and had no assists.. Moses has discipline issues especially with reaching and blocking fouls against Purdue so ended up with four fouls. Getting him out of the game could be an early turning point. It would likely force the Cardinals to a less effective lineup.

Brachen Hazen, (#12), 6'8, 211 Lbs Sophomore Transfer Forward from Arkansas, is averaging 10.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 1 APG. Hazen will likely see his role grow as he becomes more comfortable in the offense. Right now, he is effectively their sixth man bringing energy off the bench.

What to expect from Ball State?

The Cardinals rely heavily on three people to score in Persons, Walton and Teague. In the game against Purdue however open shooters on the perimeter really changed up the pace for Ball State on offense. One thing this opponent has are very accurate perimeter shooters, with four players shooting better than 40% in the last two games.

The Cardinals will have as big or bigger bodies down low, especially if Blackshear struggles with fouls. They do rely heavily on scoring in the lane and their guards are heavily involved in rebounding which is a major focus for this team. This could be a major factor if the Hokies are not able to fight for the ball. Ball State does capitalize on second chance opportunities.

This is a guard heavy roster that shoots fairly well from outside and just doesn't have the ability to defend in transition but once set are fairly effective.

The Hokies
Tech needs to keep a high paced tempo and take advantage of their ability to get out in transition. Their opponent has already shown it can give up big runs if kept on their heels. Purdue really pushed the pace against Ball State to put their game away.

The Hokies need to force the issue inside. Robinson should be able to cause all kinds of havoc foul wise using his speed to drive to the basket. Ball State struggled against dribble penetration at the top of the key from both Purdue and Indiana State. Robinson being effective in getting lane penetration will open up shooters on the perimeter which is a major component of the Hokies offense.

Continue the defensive intensity seen in the first ten minutes of the Gardner Webb contest. Make it difficult for Ball State to get the ball into the lane by having hands in passing lanes and hands up once the ball gets in the lane. Increase the pressure on the Cardinals and start counting the turnovers. The starters for the Cardinals are giving the ball up almost 12 times per game.

Maintain discipline on the offensive end of the floor. Need to really cut down on the offensive fouls from the first game to put the extra possessions to full advantage, as Tech had 14 points waived off from offensive fouls last game.

Hitting perimeter shots will be another key factor. Buzz needs Wilkins and Outlaw to continue hitting their outside show like they did against Gardner Webb. Getting open looks will be critically important since this opponent has similar sized players at almost every position.

Unfortunately as we have all read, Landers Nolley's Eligibility issue is not cleared up so the Hokies will rely that much more heavily on Blackshear and Horne. All four bigs in this game struggle with fouls so do not be surprised to see five on five guard lineups late in this game.

#FreeNolley

In Closing
Expect to see a tough first half where the Hokies need to be ready from the beginning. One tough aspect of this is that the game is away from home and early in the morning which is not normal. The Hokies struggled last season with games that were at Neutral sites or out of the ordinary times. Robinson, Blackshear, NAW, Hill and Outlaw need to stabilize the ef.fort in this game. The ideal situation is that they wear down Ball State early so they are able to keep the roster fresh for the additional games in coming days.

This wont be like the last game where the Hokies got out to a big lead early and coasted. Ball State is a much tougher opponent than Gardner Webb. If the Hokies bigs get in foul trouble early, it will be a significant challenge keeping Ball State from scoring at will so this could become a game of run and gun, especially with how Ball State struggles against scoring in transition.

Tech wins 83-77, with key free throws late in the game determining the end. This game could very well come down to the final possession The bigs from both sides will likely determine how this contest closes out.

DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.

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