Buzzketball Central: #16 Louisville Cardinals (16-6, 7-2) at #11 Virginia Tech Hokies (18-3, 7-2) 7PM ESPN

REMINDER: IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE GAME ITS THE BLACKOUT GAME. WEAR BLACK.

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Feb. 4, 2019 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: Louisville
Site: Blacksburg, Virginia (Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
TV: ESPN
Talent: Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas & Allison Williams
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
Sirius: 81 XM: 81 Internet: 81

MUCKIN UP THE HOME COURT

Buzzketball and Louisville have been on very similar trajectories this season. The challenge for the Hokies will be to overcome critical injuries to Justin Robinson and P.J. Horne. The Cardinal have not seemed to miss a beat with new head coach Chris Mack at the helm.

This is a home game, a packed house, so the Hokies will at least have the energy of the crowd that they seem to need to be competitive. The Hokies need to be ready right out the gate to execute their offense effectively. The Hokies have to be on target from the perimeter or this could be long afternoon. This will be the forty second meeting between the Hokies and Cardinals. Louisville leads the all-time series 33-8.

The Cardinals are coached by Chris Mack, who is in his first season with the Cardinals. He is 16-6 at Louisville, and 227-102 overall as a head coach, with Xavier as his only other head coaching position. Mack took Xavier to the NCAA tournament 8 times.

Mack and the Cardinals this first season have key wins over Seton Hall, UNC and NC State. Their losses are all to top teams except for Pitt. Getting a victory in this game would be a huge boost for the Hokies come NCAA tournament selection time.

Defensively, Louisville under Mack is using the Pack Line Defense, much like what the Wahoos employ. They have been very effective in employing it so far but So far in ACC play, Louisville has an 11 point average margin of victory. Even that number is a bit deceiving. Other than a close game defeating NC State, and the two conference losses, this team has been blowing conference opponents out. They are holding ACC opponents to 29% perimeter shooting and just 40% shooting overall.

Offensively, the Cardinals under Mack run a Continuity Pick and Roll Offense. This offense is geared towards breaking down zone defenses by creating separation in defensive coverage to allow penetration to the basket. In this offense, the big or bigs are expected to be able to provide solid screens, freeing the guards to dribble penetrate for layups. One other aspect that is dangerous for the Hokies is that this offense is geared towards drawing an opponents bigs out towards the perimeter to defend. This is definitely not ideal with the foul trouble Blackshear has when he gets drawn away from the basket. It also allows secondary offensive players lanes to get ideal rebounding positions, increasing second chance opportunities on the offensive end. The Cardinals in conference play are shooting 36% from outside and 54% inside the perimeter. This will also be the first conference opponent that relies more heavily on its post players to score than its guards.

Cardinals Backcourt

Christen Cunningham, (#1) 6'2, 190 Lbs a Graduate Transfer Guard from Samford comes in averaging 10.4 PPG, 2 RPG, and 4.6 APG. He is shooting 57% inside, 38% from outside and at the free throw line, shooting 89%. Cunningham is the primary ball handler for the Cardinals. He is the one we have to be concerned about driving the ball and making a great pass to an open look. He is also the only guard in the top five scorers for the Cardinals so if he happens to get in foul trouble, the next man up is way down the depth chart.

Ryan McMahon, (#30), 6', 180 Lbs Junior Guard is averaging 7.5 PPG, 1.2 RPG, and 2 APG. He shoots 55% inside, 34% from outside and 94% of his free throws. He sees about 19 minutes per contest.

Darius Perry, (#2), 6'2, 195 Lbs Sophomore Guard is averaging 6 PPG, 1.2 RPG, and 1.7 APG. He shoots 52% inside, 35% from outside and 83% of his free throws. He sees about 18 minutes per contest.

Cardinals Frontcourt

Jordan Nwora, (#33), 6'7, 225 Lbs Sophomore Forward is the Cardinals leading scorer, averaging 17.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 1.6 APG. Nwora is shooting 55% inside, 40% from outside on six attempts per game and 74% from the free throw line. He has been a major find for Mack, considering last season he only played 12 minutes per game, averaging only 5.7 points.

Dwayne Sutton, (#24), 6'5, 215 Lbs Junior Forward is averaging 10.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.7 BPG and while not the leading scorer he is arguably the Cardinals most important player this season. His ability to control the boards has allowed others to expand their shooting zone and spread the court making it much more difficult to defend or attack the Cardinals. He shoots 56% inside, 38% outside and 75% from the line.

Steven Enoch, (#23), 6'10, 260 Lbs Junior Center is another big that has blossomed for the Cardinals this year after transferring in from UConn where he put up paltry numbers his first two seasons. He is averaging 9.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG. He has hit 59% of his shots inside, 37% from outside and 83% of his free throws.

Malik Williams (#5), 6'11, 245 Lbs Sophomore Forward is putting up 8.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. He is shooting 50% inside, 33% outside and 65% from the line.

V.J. King, (#0), 6'6, 215 Lbs, has taken a major step back this year in terms of contributing. He is averaging 4.4 PPG and 3 RPG. He is shooting 48% inside and 13% outside but only attempts one per contest. He hits 82% of his free throws.

What to expect from Louisville?

Usually success for the Cardinals is creating turnovers and turning them into points to spread their lead while also wearing down their opponents. The Cardinals are forcing over 15 turnovers a game averaging 19 points a contest off turnovers.

This season the Cardinal have adapted to a larger, slightly slower lineup and dominate the paint. As is evident by the scoring, forwards make up four of the top five scorers on the roster. The Hokies are usually pretty stout at clogging up the lane but size could be a major factor in this game.

Rebounding is also a huge key to how Louisville separates itself from its opponents. They have had success this season when they outrebound an opponent by double digit margins. The rebounds allow them quick put back points or to kick the ball out to Cunningham to begin again at the top of the key.

The Cardinals will look to take advantage of their height differential and get the Hokies in early foul trouble. This contest will come down to speed vs size and of course execution by either team, as was evident in the Hokies last contest.

The Hokies

The Hokies are getting an experienced opponent, one that brings to bear two seniors and two juniors in the starting five. The entire starting five average at least 25 minutes per game each so outside of Raymond Spalding, they manage their team fouls very well. You cannot count on getting to the line consistently against this defense. They allow opponents around 16 free throws per contest and only commit 17 fouls per game this season. The Hokies did manage to go 18 of 22 from the line in the last game.

Kerry Blackshear has to stay out of foul trouble and limit the impact of Enoch and Williams, who could put Blackshear on the bench early and often.

This goes much the same in the other direction, the Hokies need to play defense like they have in recent weeks, clogging the middle while getting enough pressure on the perimeter to keep the shooters off balanced.

The Hokies need to make an honest effort to limit points off turnovers and second chance points. One area the Hokies have dramatically improved upon as the season has progressed is limiting turnovers and playing significantly improved defense, so that version of the Hokies needs to show up today.

Tech needs to be ready to go fast in this game. The defense and offense of Louisville play into the hands of what Tech likes to do best so they should be able to turn this game if they are consistently making their shots, especially from outside.

Stay out of foul trouble. As mentioned above Blackshear could face major issues but several Hokies will likely be faced with size disadvantages on the court most of the night.

In Closing

The Hokies need to take care of the ball and be effective on the offensive end. They have to be able to take advantage of their speed and ability to get to the rim to create separation.

The Cardinals will look to take the ball inside and use their size to their advantage. The Hokies need to limit the rebounding differential as best possible to limit second chances for the Cardinals.

Hokies make a valiant effort but this kind of opponent is just a little too much for the Hokies to overcome without Robinson and Horne. The size wins out in the end and Louisville escapes with a victory 72-68.

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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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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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Another white bronco? The first one didn't go too far.

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VT Class of '12 (MSE), MVBone, Go Hokies!

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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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Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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VT Class of '12 (MSE), MVBone, Go Hokies!

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Another white bronco? The first one didn't go too far.

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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Doesn't matter if it's cake or pie as long as it's chocolate.

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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Yes,that's the Hokie Bird riding a camel. Why'd you ask?

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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Another white bronco? The first one didn't go too far.

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Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

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You will see this game, this upset and this sign next on ESPN Sportscenter. Virginia Tech 31 Miami 7

His decision was made after a phone call with longtime Virginia Tech assistant coach Bud Foster. All Foster told him was, "We win. They don't."

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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VT Class of '12 (MSE), MVBone, Go Hokies!

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"For those who have passed, for those to come, reach for excellence."

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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"For those who have passed, for those to come, reach for excellence."

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"For those who have passed, for those to come, reach for excellence."

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Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..