HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: VMI (2-1) VS VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (3-0) 8PM ACCN 12/3/2020
So proud of Keve! He's a fine player, a tough dude, but he's also an exceptional young man. Way to go kid! https://t.co/LMLpFCXubf— Mike Young (@CoachMKYoung) November 30, 2020
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Dec 3rd 2020 8 PM
Opponent: VMI
Site: Cassell Coliseum
Virginia Tech Sports Network - Jon Laaser (play-by-play) and Mike Burnop (analyst)
Keydet, Cadet: An Old School Rivalry
Coach Mike Young has VMI coming in to Cassell on Thursday night. While it's been many years since these two schools took very different trajectories in the overall makeup of their student bodies, this remains one of our longest tenured rivalries in all of Hokies sports. This will be the 137th meeting of the two programs going back as far as February of 1909, when Tech suffered a 15-9 loss to the Keydets.
The Hokies have dominated the more recent version of this rivalry though, winning 23 of 24 games played at Cassell and 44 of the last 47 matchups. The last loss to VMI came in 2004 at Lexington. In recent years this has been a high scoring affair so expect a high paced, high scoring evening on Thursday night. The Keydets come in 2-1, with wins over Longwood and St Andrews and a 21 point loss to Penn State.
The Keydets are coached by Dan Earl, who is in his sixth season at the helm for VMI. The Keydets were 9-24 last year before the season was shut down. He is 46-112 (.285 W%) as the VMI head coach, having suffered through five straight losing seasons. VMI has never reached the postseason with Earl. He spent time as an assistant coach at Navy and Penn State. Prior to coaching, he played professionally for the Roanoke Dazzle in 2001-2002.
Coach Earl lost two starters, leading scorer Travis Evee transferred to Rice and Garret Gilkeson to graduation.
Defensively, Coach Earl expects his team to limit transition baskets and play a very heavy matchup zone pressure defense to create turnovers. With the match-up zone defense, the on-ball defender will play tight as if he was playing man-to-man. At the same time, the zone away from the ball will resemble "help-side" man-to-man defense. This creates one of the advantages for the match-up zone, as it may confuse the opponent as to what defense you are actually playing. The match-up zone also resembles a "switching man-to-man" defense, where the big men stay down low in the post and the guards stay around the perimeter.
Offensively, you might call Coach Earl's philosophy Fire and Forget, as he wants his team to get up shots, especially from the perimeter, and then get back on defense. One thing for sure is that the Hokies need to be ready to play perimeter defense as VMI continues its trend of shooting from outside that is a trademark of Coach Dan Earl's offensive strategy. So far through three games VMI has attempted 85 three pointers or 28 per contest. One other area of focus for Earl is limiting turnovers but so far this season the Keydets have been very sloppy with the ball.
Keydets Backcourt
Greg Parham, (#5, 6'4, 176 Lbs Senior Guard) is averaging 18.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.6 APG as the starting point guard. He has grabbed 1.6 SPG as well. He is hitting 65% from the field while hitting 63% of his three pointers. He is only hitting 60% of his free throws.
Kamdyn Curfman (#10, 6-1, 186 lbs, Sophomore) is averaging 13 ppg, 1 apg, 2.3 rpg and 1.3 steals per contest. He is hitting 54% from the field while hitting 47% of his three pointers. He has hit all five of his free throws.
Sean Conway (#30, 6'5, 215 lbs, Sophomore) averaging 10.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.3 apg and 1.6 spg. He is hitting 46% from the field while hitting 27% of his three pointers. He has hit his only free throw.
Myles Lewis (#15, 6'5, 186 Lbs Senior Guard) is averaging 8.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1 APG. He has grabbed 1.3 SPG as well. He is hitting 53% from the field and has not attempted any three pointers. He is only hitting 61% of his free throws. Looking more like a Heisman pose then a basketball court above.
Louis Tang (#0, 6'4, 195 Lbs Sophomore) is averaging 7.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG. He has grabbed 1 SPG as well. He is hitting 44% from the field and 25% of his three pointers. He is hitting 80% of his free throws.
Keydets Frontcourt
Jake Stephens (#34, 6'10, 266 lbs, Junior) He is averaging 6.7 ppg, 1.3 apg and 5.7 rpg. He is hitting 29% from the field and has not hit any three pointers in nine attempts. He is hitting 89% of his free throws. The shot above is exactly what the Hokies want Stephens doing in this game.
What to expect from VMI?
As a team the Keydets biggest concern has to be ball control. While the Keydets excel at steals, they have turned the ball over an enormous 20 times per contest, 38 of their 60 total turnovers have been by steal, leading to 85 opponent points in three games. The Keydets do however create 16 turnovers a game, 10 by steal per game. Penn State tallied 34 points off turnovers that led to 18 fast-break points on the other end.
VMI is shooting only 33% from outside on 9 made baskets per game so far. A big factor in their poor shooting has been starting center Jake Stephens going 0-9 and two backup guards, Arnold and Mans going a combined 2-13.
The Keydets are shooting 47% from the floor so far and also outrebounding opponents 41 to 36. This is interesting considering VMI plays much of the game with four or five guards on the floor. They were outrebounded against Penn State.
Fouls will be a major factor as the depth is not there from the Keydets bench. They would be in serious trouble if Stephens gets into foul trouble as that would make it very difficult to defend against Aluma and Pemsl down low.
The Keydets will depend on Greg Parham having a great game. Not sure that is even possible considering the Hokies defensive pressure this season.
𝙈𝙞𝙠𝙚'𝙙 𝙐𝙥 🍿@CoachMKYoung was happy with what he saw last night, with executing the little things #StoneByStone | #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/VAwBbN0cDe— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 1, 2020
The Hokies
The Hokies should take advantage in transition especially with the poor ball control VMI has shown. Would epect this alone to be the source of a 15-18 point advantage by games end.
The Hokies should work the ball inside to Aluma, Mutts and Pemsl. We got a taste of how effective Pemsl can be in the paint against South Florida and could be even more so against this much smaller and less physical VMI lineup. N'Guessan likely gets around 8 to 10 minutes in this contest, mostly in the second half. This should also be Mike Young's best opportunity to clear his bench and get a few of those working man baskets for Williamson, Maddox and Yates.
Interested to see what Jalen Cone inserts into the conversation when he suits up after being held out the first three games. Expect limited minutes in this first game just to get an idea of where he is. Not sure we see Ojiako in this one as there is a bigger cloud over his knee issue and the path forward. Plan to check closer to game time to see if there is any reference to his status.
This likely is the first time this season the Hokies win the rebounding battle. Both teams shoot the ball fairly well but expect VMI to not be as productive or accurate as the Hokies will be the strongest defensive team the Keydets have faced.
The Hokies are dependent on perimeter shooting with 62 attempts on 167 total shots. Fortunately 42% from the arc for 33% of their points. VMI plays an aggressive man to man and has the guards to run around with the Hokies so finding open looks will be more difficult unless they play this game inside out, having Aluma and Pemsl kick out to open shooters.
Highlight of the South Florida Game
Boots put together his best game yet this season 👊#StoneByStone | #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/SNY7Nv69MW— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 30, 2020
Tyrece Radford going off a night after playing 44 minutes.
In Closing
The Hokies will take advantage inside and get their young bigs some playing time. Aluma gets to double digits but likely gets a break in this contest.
Expect six Hokies in double digit scoring in this contest. To put a finger on it, Radford, Alleyne, Cattoor, Aluma, Pemsl and either Diarra or Bede. Five or more each from Cone, Bamisile, N'Guessan and at least one working man basket for Maddox, Yates or Williamson. Well-rounded game using the entire roster.
Hokies come out strong from the tip and establish a 15 point lead by the half. Second half will have its ups and downs with the bench players getting minutes but should be able to maintain the buffer. Hokies cruise to an 85-62 victory.
Comments
Interested to see what Jalen Cone inserts into the conversation when he suits up tonight after being held out the first three games. Isn't the game tomorrow? Or was this dropped early?
Either way great write-up. Sounds like the Keydets need to get in foul trouble.
Interested to see what Jalen Cone inserts into the conversation when he suits up tonight after being held out the first three games. Isn't the game tomorrow? Or was this dropped early?Either way great write-up. Sounds like the Keydets need to get in foul trouble.Lets Go!
FTFY
Slip of verbiage, happens when you are typing in the middle of the night. Fixing it now.
No problem, kind of what I thought. Had to poke a little fun, but I do appreciate these write-ups.
HOKIES
Really hope you are right on this one. Excited to see them play again.
Fun, innit?
Are y'all ready? Because I am👀😈
This former VTCC cadet is always ready and happy to see the Hokies put a whipping on our little cousins in Lexington.
"WHERE'S YOUR CANNON?"
VMI was our main and only rival when I was in the Highty Tighties, and while the years changed all of that, I also sorta have almost developed a little semi-fondness for them. Hope we squash them like bugs.
Still remember my freshman year when the wrestling team beat VMI so the Seniors couldnt send us sailing around Schultz Dining Hall anymore.
Anyone else think that Kamdyn Curfman (second VMI player photo) was kissing the basketball when they first scrolled through?
Anyone else think that I look for the most ridiculous photo available when putting these together?
insert> LICKING BASKETBALLinsert/>
Seriously, but not seriously, that photo is ripe for a "caption this photo" contest. And speaking of ripe, maybe he's trying to figure out what smell that is on his finger??
That right there is a stereotypical case of ligma.
In case anyone is worried about tonight, here's something to chew on: You make 3 times as much money betting on Clemson to win Saturday as you would betting on us to win tonight. And you don't make much of anything betting on Clemson...
Who is already prepping for 8pm?
I'll really only have an hour between work ending and the game starting to do doggy physical therapy and a walk. I think that should be enough time.
I already got my gametime coke cola out😎
Start Jumping....
Game still showing as upcoming on ESPN??
Edit, nevermind. Switched to live while I was posting.
Man bedes 3 has really seemed to improve over these first games. Hope it continues and couldn't be happier for him.
We are getting good looks but nothing is dropping
Final score is going to be something like 35-25
Why are they pushing off and booking our defenders and refs calling fouls on us?
Gonna be one of those games I guess.
Low key this game suckssss😂
Can we send a GA back to Bubbleville to retrieve our shot? Preferably in time for the second half.
Looking rough so far 🤢
I think CMY is playing with his line ups. Lots of subs and unusual groupings.
He is but a lot of mental mistakes on both ends. They are not focused.
Wonder how Fuente would handle it? /s
WWFD
getting nc state vibes... 😬
Two takeaways thus far:
1. Team is bought in on the defensive end this year. Love the effort.
2. Missing Diarra's ability to create off the dribble.
So the tach shaver...why do they say it was designed for the demands of the military and then show soldiers shaving with lather and razor in background?
Surely Nick Bolton served in the military... after all, the tac shaver is what he calls "military tough".
'I'm gonna do something i NEVER do.....SHAVE! .......well you only have a week old stubble, so id have to say you shaved a week ago........
Just last weekend I ask my wife, "hon, I wish I had a way to tape my iPad to the kitchen cabinet".
Thank you, Alien Tape!
This is one of those games where not having a crowd hurts
Cone!
There we go
Starting to get some buckets
I mean in the first 3 games we were better in the 2nd half
Not sure what the refs are seeing and not seeing at all so far; missing a lot and calling a lot of weird shit
Sorry guys. That was my fault. Didn't have it on.
The other requirement is that I fall asleep at half time. Has worked every game thus far.
Really confused on the foul on N'GUESSAN
It wasnt. Reminds me of this. When a acc baseball team faces a team like VMI and the ump gives them a strikeout on a pitch 5 feet outside of the zone
We got going the last 8 minutes of the half. Hopefully we can carry that over into the second half.
Defense has looked good.
ESPN app feed isn't showing the Tac commercials and if I'm going to be watching this game, imma need some fake seal team 6 products to mock.
He traveled because the VMI guard ran into his plant leg and moved it?
did the commentators really just shit on him for blocking a shot?
Glad I didn't bet the over (137, btw)
Alternatively, wish I woulda taken VMI to cover
Cattoor did not foul on that
These refs man; what are they doing
If I ever see anyone using a Kickerball I'm going to kicker their neck
This is UVA kind of ugly
Did he just try to sell this as a great game?
Hoping we're just saving our 3 point shots for conference play...
Aluma is going to have to get better at the FT line in ACC play.
What are we doing
The poor shooting and rushed shots at end of shot clocks is killing me
Very rough night. Need to gather ourselves and pull this one out even if its tight down the stretch
Ten point lead gone. Scoreless for four minutes. Is this the point where I start to worry?
I feel like cone needs to work on his passing; every time he passes it's either lobbed way in the air or behind the player he's passing to. Nervous every time he sails it to a player
This is his first game of the year. Probably still getting used to the flow and speed of the game.
At this point Cone needs to sit
Fuck
i'd really like to hear an explanation from the refs on what they thought they saw on some of these calls.
I wonder if this is how 'Nova fans felt watching that game
Man we are flat.
Can we not drive the rim?
The Hokies are playing scared and slow. There is no movement off the ball with no back doors or penetration. Numerous times they started a drive and then stop and pick and pop for a bad shot.
Wow - we need to sack up and play!
I see Bede's shot is just as broken as last season. He releases after the apex of his jump and it barely has any arc..
Yep, most of his shots would likely fall if he would let it go before he starts going down.
His shots are just so flat. You really mathematically limit yourself when the trajectory is that low.
We're gonna lose this, aren't we?
If Jalen cone makes that lazy pass to the top of the key without a fake one more time....
Why are they not driving the rim to play for a dish out or foul? They just seem off tonight (besides the shooting).
VMI is playing a match up zone which I think is throwing us off.
Any decent high school yeam knows how to attack a match up zone, but it requires everyone to move off the ball, overload the zone, and make crisp passes.
How was that not a shooting foul?
VMI playing with confidence, and we seem to be in our own heads...I don't feel great about it
Both of Cattoors arms were hit there
Failing in just about every aspect tonight
Again the delayed whistle
Is Justin Fuente coaching this team?
Hey don't bring that in here! /s (sorta)
Shooting 28% and 18% from 3. Amazing the game is this close.
Need to see Radford, Alleyne, Aluma, Bede and Mutts on the floor the rest of this game
Hopefully that dunk by Mutts gets us going!
Radford with the hoop and harm!
Finally some life this half! Sheesh!
Amazing what happens when you attack the paint and press the pace. Now let's finish and learn from this game.
Aluma has missed 6 FTs tonight!
Game is over if he even shot 66%
Aluma better be shooting 100 FTs after the game
Every day, twice on Sunday
Aluma better be
shootingmaking 100 FTs after the gameFTFY
Sorry guys. Just turned the game on in time for Radford's FTs and the start of the 9-0 run
Alleyne with the add 1 !
Aluma's free throws, ugh
This game unfortunately will highlight how dependent we still are on the 3
The Good:
THE UGLY: EVERY ASPECT OF THIS GAME
The Good: we won.
Ugly wins beat pretty losses everyday.
But, yes. Everything else was ugly.
Useless foul by Mutts. Terrible situational awareness
What was the foul there?
Need to get stops.
I have yelled twice during this game (and scared someone in my family each time). Both were because of Justin Mutts.
Ok, win or lose, the entire Hokie team should be running a suicide for each missed FT post game. If you can't make FTs, you need to be in better shape.
Where did Mutts come from? He's a R-Jr on the roster, but I don't remember hearing his name prior to this year.
Delaware
Transfer from Delaware. I like his game.
Transfer from Delaware
At 1st I was like noooooooooo.
Then I was like Beeeeeeeede
Stephens elbows have yet to be whistled
Hey yooouuu gguyyyyss
You have to hit Aluma underneath there
Ok, slowing it down is the absolute worst thing to do.
We've been shit at free throws all night. Better hit some now
Aluma and 1 Baby!
Critical free throw here
Take any roll we can get in this one
Left-right-left-right..........
Fam?
4-27 from 3 point land. Ugly win but I'll take the W and move to 4-0
Got away with one tonight. Lots of teaching points.
+18 in rebounds and a two score or less game for most of it
Lucky lucky lucky. I hope Mike gets on them at practice this week
Ok, ugly and frustrating to watch, but we will take it. #GoHokies