Tech comes into this game on a string of tough losses, but with some pretty solid work on the defensive end of the floor. Tech is holding opponents 11 points under their average over the last six games. The major flaw on the defensive end that we have discussed in length are the Offensive rebounds given up. This has been giving opponents anywhere from 8 to 15 points a game.
Tech's major problems now lie on the offensive end of the court, between turnovers (allowing opponents 12 to 18 points a game) and the inability of this young team to consistently find a good shot. See my other writeup for more details about our offensive woes. The scoring droughts were a significant eye opener for me when I read more about the frequency and duration.
Tech should have one goal in this game and that is to pound the basketball inside. Maryland's big men have a hard time staying out of foul trouble and give up quite a few baskets in the paint on top of that. If Tech can drive the ball with Wilson and have Barksdale and JVZ contribute about 8-10 points each, Tech should be able to win this game.
Maryland comes into this game having lost four of their last five games, including a heartbreaking 77-73 double overtime loss to Clemson on Sunday. The Terps may have a significant hangover coming out of that game so its a good time for the Hokies to pounce early and get another win. Maryland also has not been a really solid shooting team, shooting 43% on the season, so with Tech's pressure 2-3 Zone, the Terps could be held to below 35% on the night. If that's the case, the Hokies should be in great position to win this game.
Another nice side note, if Tech can beat Maryland, it assures they leave the ACC with a losing conference record.
My prediction is that Tech wins this game 61-54 having to withstand a late Maryland come back of possibly double digits.
Comments
I hope you are right. We at least have a shot at winning our last two games. I still wince at the scoring breakdown from the UNC game and think if we shot at least 75% on free throws we would have won that game.
I think JJ needs to implement a new rule. You can't leave practice without hitting 50 free throws. Make it an honor system so as to not cut into the allowable coaching time.
We actually shot 81% on free throws against UNC. It was the three point shooting at 29% that killed us in that game. Going 7 for 24 just wont get it done.
I thought we hit 9 of 18. Must be confusing one of the games.
I think you flipped the box score. UNC hit 9 of 18
If there was ever a time to play the Terps, now would be it. Sunday was probably their last chance at any hope of getting back on the bubble and they lost a close one. Tech is playing for their coach at this point, and Maryland probably cares much more about the UVA game than this one and the carryover effects from Sunday games could be significant. Not saying that the Hokies will win, but I think they have a good chance. Go Hokies!
This was kind of the mindset I had when looking at this game as well. We are that valley game after a close loss and a chance against a top 5 opponent
I want to see Devin be more selfish. I know that's not something you normally want from a young player, but when he decides he's gonna get to the basket he does it. There isn't anyone else on our team that can attack the basket with any level of consistency. And he has been getting noticeably better at finishing with contact as the season has progressed.
Absolutely critical in this game that he does this. If he doesn't, there will likely be little space for the big men down low. Need his flash to get their feet moving, whether he shoots or passes. He is the most consistent at getting to the line as well.
Anyone know what channel this game will be on in Blacksburg? Hokiesports says ACCN, but that's either CBS, CW, or CSN. So if anyone knows which one of those it'll be I'd appreciate it.
In Northern Virginia its on the second CW channel, CSN has the Syracuse/Georgia Tech game. Right now GT is up 21-14 three quarters of the way through the first half. Syracuse better wake up or they are going to end up a 7/8 seed in the tournament.
No way they fall that far but a 4 or 5 seed seems like a strong possibility at this point.
ESPN3 blacked out in NY because game is on GAMEPLAN/full court. Go figure. Have to listen on XM (terps feed)
Wilson with the lucky bounce for 3!
Its going to be fun to watch Joey and Trevor Thompson for the next 2 years as they grow together. Both need to be "Gentryfied" though
Keep it going Hokies!
Any link for online viewing? Blacked out in Blacksburg
I've got it on the CW
These refs... smh.
Eddie is feeling it right now.
29-28 VT at halftime.
The last 20 seconds couldn't have gone much worse. We don't manage a shot, give up a turnover and let them close to within one, instead of a three to five point halftime lead. We shot a dreadful 37% from the field and already have seven turnovers. Fortunately the turnovers have only led to four points so far. We have limited the offensive rebounds so far to only two. Drives me crazy, since with only an average shooting percentage, we would have taken a 10 point lead into that half. Hopefully Maryland doesn't wake up at half time and we get out of here with a win.
Looks like the Georgia Tech game might be a handful after all since it really looks as if the Jackets are going to finish off Syracuse.
I feel like we always struggle right at the end of the half. Am I just imagining it?
ugh this game
Maryland 64 - Virginia Tech 47
Wow, we shot about 22% in the second half and managed a measly 18 points. It was the epitome of my other write up from today. Plenty of blame to go around, Eddie was 4-13, Wilson was 1-10 and Thompson 2-7. Just pitiful.
We started the game with a 3 min and 29 second drought before we got our first bucket.
We then had a 5 min and 34 second drought starting at the 8:19 mark in the first half.
Second half, we started with a 5 min and 12 second drought before JVZ got a layup.
Then some DejaVu, starting at the 8:19 remaining in the second half, a 5 min and 59 second drought. Four droughts totaling 20 mins and 14 seconds. OVER HALF THE GAME
Maryland was so far ahead in this one that everyone on their roster got into the game.
17 turnovers and we failed to get any of their players ever remotely into foul trouble.
As for Maryland, not hard to score 36 in a half when you hit six treys and have five dunks. 28 of your points right there. We did hold the Terps to 40% shooting and seven points below their average.
We have our last game of the season at Georgia Tech, which had looked to probably be a close game, but they just knocked off Syracuse tonight, so who knows what might happen. The game is at two pm on Saturday. The wall at the end of the tunnel is so close.
I missed the first half (innertube water polo) but the second half was annoyingly bad. I personally hate it when you only have one guy crashing the offensive boards. Not team should need more than one player back after a shot, guys should be sprinting in from the 3 point line for rebounds.
In case anyone cares we are now guaranteed to play at 3:30 next Wednesday in the first round of the ACC tournament. Nothing is more painful than to see that UVA has clinched the 1 seed and we've clinched dead last.
I personally think that the ACC Tournament should be limited to the top 12 teams at the most. Pains me to think we should even be allowed a chance at the ACC Tourney Title.
I agree, I don't see the point of the bottom three teams from the ACC going to the Tourney just more chances for people to get hurt.
We don't deserve it, but it was only 6 years ago Georgia went from dead last in the SEC to winning their tournament. And in 2007 NC State went to the ACC title game as an 11 seed, so anything can happen. I think letting the bad teams in just makes it more fun.
Hard times.
This game makes me even more divided on if I want JJ back next year. I want him to have his third year, but a game where we were supposed to have a chance and got blown out (again).
Don't forget winning at halftime
Exactly, when we were losing close but competitive games it was one thing. But now we have back slip into blowouts again. I honestly think the best thing that could happen would be for JJ to resign. That takes the pressure off Whit to have to fire somebody in his second month. It gives the fans and team a sense of some change WILL happen.
Wow - I'm sure it's been stated, but we have won only 1 game this year.....
Maybe we can get numero dos vs. GT?
Wow.
We've won 2 - both against Miami, so we've only beaten 1 team. But last place is last place...
Miami was in December. Just one game this year. but yes- agree - last place is last place.
No, we also beat Miami February 15th, so two games. We are 2-15 in the ACC so far.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/259/virginia-tech-h...
4VPISU is right, but perhaps is not phrasing things well. Considering "this year" as "this calendar year of 2014," Feb. 15 against is our only win, with the previous Miami win being Dec. 8, 2013 and the last non-2014 win overall being MD-ES on Dec. 31, 2013.
Only one win in the year 2014.
Guess its good that once the season is over after the ACC tournament, the NCAA wont be looking to hold all those losses against us come October/November.
GT just beat Syracuse. Don't have high hopes.
They might still be celebrating on Saturday so we have that going for us.
I think that Georgia Tech will come in focused. If they manage to beat us, they likely move ahead of Wake Forest in the ACC standings which affects their matchups for the ACC tournament. It would move them as high as the 10th spot in the conference depending on tie breakers and how other teams close out their season. Right now in the ACC, Miami is 6-11, Notre Dame is 6-12, Wake Forest is 5-11, and Georgia Tech is 5-12. If they get the 10th seed, they would turn around and face us again in the first round of the ACC tournament. With a loss and a Boston College win, they could also end up being the 14th seed, so I expect their coaches will have them ready for us.
The only reason not to fire JJ is to keep Bibbs
Yeah he is an absolute must keep. The day he steps foot on campus he will already be the best defender on the team other than maybe JVZ.