Buzzketball Picks Up A Win Against Georgia Tech 65-63

Virginia Tech basketball nabs their second ACC win of the year.

Buzz getting his sweater on. [Mark Umansky]

Things weren't looking good for the Virginia Tech men's basketball team as time wound down in their matchup with Georgia Tech.

A sloppy opening half had snowballed into 10 point deficit with just five minutes to go, and the Hokies' chance to win it second ACC game seemed bleak. Never ones to shy away from last minute action, the Hokies pried open the Yellow Jacket lead and took it away, winning 65-63 in Cassell Coliseum.

A Malik Müller corner three with 16 seconds left gave Tech their first lead since the 4:36 mark in the previous period. It capped a furious Hokie rally that saw them close the game on a 17-5 run.

The first twenty minutes, however, were so ugly and disjointed it was a bucket of confetti short of being a Washington Generals scrimmage. It was full of turnovers, airballs and mental mistakes for both teams, and even had Shane Henry accidentally score a bucket for the guys in gold.

As often happens with young groups, they found themselves swept up in the overall poor play at the beginning. The Hokies compounded their blips and errors while also not able to take advantage of the readily available Yellow Jacket miscues.

As has been the case all season, the Hokies struggled to grab rebounds. It was so bad for most of Monday night that the Jacket big men all but set up a blanket and had a picnic down low. Georgia Tech ended the night with 19 offensive boards, leading to a disastrous number of second possessions.

That being said, the team should get credit for the way they pulled themselves out of the depths of what looked like another disappointing loss. The Jackets posed a unique challenge for the Hokies, as they're best attribute (cleaning the glass) is also the Hokies' worst.

Brian Gregory's squad was also able to close out quickly on perimeter shots, limiting the effectiveness of the three pointer for the Hokies. Naturally, Buzz Williams and the rest of his coaches were able to turn the tide in their favor. They found mismatches that Müller, Adam Smith and others were able to take advantage of off the dribble.

Despite Georgia Tech's size, Buzz decided against playing Satchel Pierce many minutes. Instead, he elected to go with a rotation of Henry and Christian Beyer. Though it didn't help their rebounding numbers, which were going to be a struggle no matter who was on the floor, Beyer and Henry found success cutting to the basket and finishing close to the hoop.

The two combined to shoot 7-8 from the floor and gave the Hokies just enough of a big man presence to balance the rest of their attack. Both of them are going to have their own struggles defensively, Beyer will get overpowered by a stronger player and Henry's spunk doesn't make up for the fact that he has toothpicks for legs, but they are now both legitimate offensive threats.

I have noticed Henry's improved touch around the rim. In his last three appearances the former JUCO has gone 11-13, but not all of those buckets have come from open dunks. He doesn't necessarily have polished post moves, but he's not just throwing it at the basket hoping something happens anymore.

The player who I've been most impressed with over the most recent stretch was also the hero tonight. Since his move to power forward, Müller has been an integral part of the way this team plays. His biggest problem was his foot speed, especially when matched up against opposing guards.

When guarded by forwards, the speed thing isn't an issue. The Umlaut can put the ball on the deck and take it to the hole much easier than before, and it's showing up in his box scores. The television broadcast talked incessantly about Müller's willingness to take charges and do the dirty work, but that's just one facet of all the little things that the German does.

"I think he's our best low post defender," Williams said. "I know he doesn't look like he is, but I think he's eaten enough powdered doughnuts and Kit Kats that he can bang around down there and feel comfortable doing it.

"I think in a strange way that has given him confidence. I think that what is perceived, as a disadvantage at times for us, is an advantage. It's an advantage for us offensively because we utilize him as if he's a guard and make those big guys run out there and try to guard him."

Let's just say that I don't think it's odd that Tech's recent run of close games coincides with Müller's newfound role.

This was a good win for a squad that needed another one. Sure, it wasn't as neat and tidy as I'm sure the coaches would have hoped for, but it works. And more importantly, Buzz's bunch keeps showing that resilience that makes them lovable to anyone who will watch.

With just seven contests to go before the ACC Tournament, that lack of quit might help them find their way out of the cellar when they head to Greensboro.

Comments

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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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"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

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

"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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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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21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
MV7, MV5, LT3, Grant Wells, Braxton Burmeister, Ryan Willis, Josh Jackson, Jerod Evans, Michael Brewer, Tyrod Taylor, Sean Glennon, and Grant Noel. That's right, UVA. You couldn't beat Grant Noel.

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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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"Virginia Tech: Our trees have more school spirit than your students."

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Tweedy can run like a dadgum antelope or whatever. I like to use scalded dog. Do antelopes lumber? Cheetah, OK. He runs like a cheetah. He's fast. - Bud Foster

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

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

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

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Outside it's night time, but inside it's LeDay

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'Its easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you've got the stock market beat,
but the man worthwhile, is the man who can smile, when his shorts are too tight in the seat'

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

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Outside it's night time, but inside it's LeDay

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Marshall University graduate.
Virginia Tech fanatic.
Formerly known as JWillHokieAlum.