HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: #22 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (11-1) AT BOSTON COLLEGE (6-6) 630PM ACCN
Ready for tonight ✅#BeatBC pic.twitter.com/vsXWVqaxSh— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 21, 2022
Virginia Tech (11-1, 1-0 ACC)
at Boston College (6-6, 0-1 ACC)
December 21, 2022
Conte Forum
6:30 p.m. ET
ACC Network
Virginia Tech Sports Network
TV Broadcast
ACCN
Play-by-Play: Jon Meterparel
Analyst: Chris Spatola
Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop
Current Spread: Hokies -9.5
Over/Under: -133
Snap the Streak....
The Hokies (21st in AP Poll/20th in Coaches Poll) look to avoid the trap Holiday game on the road. The Eagles lead the series 21-13 and come in having won the last three. The Hokies defeated the Eagles last in 2019. The Hokies always seem to struggle at the Conte Forum, where they are 4-13 overall.
The Eagles are coached by Earl Grant. He began his college coaching career at The Citadel as an assistant coach in 2002. Boston College is his second college head coaching job, taking over the job in 2021 after coaching College of Charleston for seven seasons. He has a 19-26 overall record guiding the Eagles.
The Eagles are a wavering 6-6 after breaking their four-game losing streak against Stonehill. Boston College has some BAD losses, including Maine, New Hampshire and Tarleton State. They managed to beat a decent George Mason squad but after that there is nothing good about their schedule. Four of their six losses have been by 16 or more points.
The Eagles are a veteran team by way of the portal but seem to lack an identity. This team ranks in the bottom third nationally in rebounding, scoring, three-point shooting, free throw shooting, personal fouls and turnovers. The only stat they rank in the top 100 on is blocked shots. Coach Grant spreads the minutes out pretty evenly across nine players.
Coach Grant defensively employs a full court defense the majority of the game. The problem though is that teams have been exposing this defense for quick scoring opportunities. The Eagles are experimenting with a slightly less aggressive mid court defense to cut down on these chances. Expect to see a mix of zone and man-to-man at different points. Defense though is definitely their better half.
Offensively, Coach Grant uses a motion offense but with guard dribble penetration. The Eagles do not focus on perimeter shooting, likely because they have not been very good at it. Eight players are averaging at least 6.2 points per game. They average over 14 turnovers per contest. They get to the free throw line nearly 18 attempts per contest but shoot a mediocre 67% as a team.
2️⃣1️⃣ can you do something for me 🦃📈Our highest ranking since Feb. 22, 2021 👀 pic.twitter.com/6CBOlxctxN— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 19, 2022
The Eagles Backcourt
Jaeden Zackery (#3,SO, G ,6-2, 200) 11.3 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 2.0 Ast
Makai Ashton-Langford (#11, SR, G, 6-3, 185) 10.6 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 2.1 Ast
Mason Madsen (#45, JR, G, 6-4, 190) 6.6 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 1.0 Ast
DeMarr Langford (#5, JR, G, 6-5, 195) 7.0 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 1.4 Ast
Chas Kelley III (#00, FR, G , 6-5, 180) 3.4 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 1.2 Ast
The Eagles Frontcourt
CJ Penha (#24, SR, F, 6-7, 230) 10.3 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 0.6 Ast
Devin McGlockton (#21, SO, F, 6-7, 220) 7.3 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 0.4 Ast
T.J. Bickerstaff (#1, SR, F, 6-9, 207) 6.6 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 1.3 Ast
Prince Aligbe (#10, FR, F, 6-6, 225) 6.2 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 0.2 Ast
What to expect from Boston College?
Forward CJ Penha will be a tough matchup down low for Mutts and Basile. Kidd and Poteat will likely be called on to counter Penha. He plays a clean consistent low post rarely fouling which is surprising due to his size. That may change though as the Eagles get further into their ACC schedule.
Full Court Defense, Mid Court defense, and multiple styles of defense. This may be the smallest lineup in the ACC. They try to make up with speed what they lack in size but it hasn't been very successful.
The Eagles try to slow the pace and limit shot attempts overall. Opponents average 67 points per game against the Eagles. This is misleading due to holding four lesser opponents under 56 points per game. The stronger D1 opponents have been averaging nearly 75 points per game.
The Hokies
This is a game for balanced scoring across the roster by whomever has the open look, of which there should be many. Pedulla and Cattoor should have big games offensively.
Hokies scoring in transition could reach a season high. I expect no less than 20 points in transition. Not necessarily a dunk fest but I could see folks calling for a Giftory after this one to go under their tree. Calling two Cattoor dunks ahead of time.
Avoiding the Holiday lull road game trap is likely the biggest risk area in this contest. Expect a sparse crowd in a near silent arena so the guys have to be able to motivate themselves without crowd energy to feed on.
Highlight of the Grambling State game
Pedulla Oblongata continues to shine.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰That's our PG 🫡 @PedullaSean pic.twitter.com/6WY4oDhBUu— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 20, 2022
In Closing
The Hokies go on the road, break out of the funk early and lead by double digits for the entire second half.
Scoring inside and out in a very balanced output. The guards lead the way in scoring though, shooting 43% from outside. Pouring in the points early to get the Eagles looking forward to the buzzer rather than a win.
Hokies move to 2-0 in the ACC grabbing Dub12 and win 81-60.
This is a Five Popcorn Decision. Road game but overcome it early.
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