Big Ten Challenge vs Maryland Dec 1 at 7:15

The Hokies play at Maryland In the Big Ten Challenge at 7:15 tonight on ESPN2. The ACC is 2-6 in the Challenge this year with 6 games left. Only NC State is favored over Nebraska (-6). The ACC is not having a good year. The Hokies are 1 pt dogs to Maryland, which is kind of disappointing given the Terps record:

They were only dominant agaist Quinnipiac and maybe Vermont, their only double digit wins. They played close games at home against GW and Richmond and just barely beat Hofstra. And they lost to George Mason! and Louisville. How can they be favored to beat the Hokies?

One factor is Qudus Wahab, a 6'11" Freshman. If Aluma and Mutts don't figure out a way to play against big men inside, we are going to struggle against Maryland.

#5 Ayala, Eric 205 G 6'5 32.7 MPG: 15.1 PPG: 4.7 RPG: 2.6 APG: 1.9 TOPG

#4 Russell, Fatts 165 G 5'11 30 MPG: 12.9 PPG: 4 RPG: 3.6 APG: 2.4 TOPG

#33 Wahab, Qudus 240 F 6'11 18.7 MPG: 10.7 PPG: 7.1 RPG: 0.4 APG: 0.9 TOPG

#24 Scott, Donta 230 F 6'8 31.6 MPG: 10.3 PPG: 7.6 RPG: 1.3 APG: 1.4 TOPG

#13 Hart, Hakim 205 G 6'8 26.1 MPG :6.6 PPG: 3.3 RPG: 2.7 APG: 1.1 TOPG

#10 Reese, Julian 230 F 6'9 19.7 MPG: 7.9 PPG: 4.4 RPG: 0.9 APG: 2.1 TOPG

#23 Martinez, Ian 185 G 6'3 18.7 MPG: 5.3 PPG: 2.6 RPG: 1.7 APG: 1.6 TOPG

Shelton Moss did a great job of previewing the next two games in his article: "A Marathon, Not a Sprint". I don't have much to add. If we don't have the typical result in our games of some career 30% 3 pt shooter going 7 for 10, we should be able to handle Maryland.

Season Averages:

Detailed Stats:

Based on the comments in the "Marathon" article, the Hokies have to watch the turnovers turning into fast breaks; and they have to deal with the big men inside. Wahab plays less than 19 minutes per game and still manages to accumulate 2 fouls per game; but his replacement Reese is 6' 9" and will still be the biggest man on the court when our starters are on the floor.

The good news, maybe, is that Maryland is not a good three-point shooting team, averaging only 28.5% on the season against a fairly weak schedule; but they do make 6 threes per game. And they have only allowed opponents to shoot 34.5% from three. Moss thinks Cattoor and Murphy should have good games against the Terps; and if Alleyne can stay hot, we should have a good night from beyond the arc. Stop their bigs and score a little in the paint and this should be a win.

LET'S GO HOKIES!