The Hokies dont have any time to sit and stew about the loss to Northern Iowa yesterday that dropped them to 2-2 on the season as they get the Redhawks of Miami(Ohio) this evening as the conclusion of the Cancun Challenge slate. Tech should be about equal with this opponent, as the Redhawks beat Liberty earlier this month by a similar score to what Tech managed. The Redhawks are coming off a loss yesterday to NorthWestern by nine so will also be looking to get back on the winning track.
The Redhawks are led by a trio of guards. Geovonie McKnight(#0), Will Sullivan(#3), and Eric Washington(#33) all average over 10 points and 3 rebounds per game in over 30 minutes of playing time so getting even contribution from all three of these players is critical to the success of Miami(Ohio). Sullivan especially needs to have a hand in his face outside the arc as he is shooting over 60% from three point land on 11-18 shooting. Miami seems to suffer from the same woes as we do from the charity stripe, shooting a miserable 58%. They seem to rely on a four guard set on the floor, rotating three big men to get their 40 minutes a game. LJ Livingston(#12) seems to be the primary big at 6'10, 190 lbs, so both of our bigs should have a size/weight advantage so hopefully they stay out of foul trouble and can produce big results today.
On defense, the Redhawks employ a pack-line defensive scheme, which is designed to ensure that all shots are taken outside the lane and contested. The first instinct here is to keep inside position so our shooters will have to be on point tonight and it will be critical that either our PG or through the bigs, we rotate the ball inside the lane to create space for our shooters. Opponents so far are shooting 47% against this team so its obvious teams are getting open looks.
Both teams appear to be dreadful at the line, somewhat careless with the basketball (Tech 13 TO/Miami 14 TO pg), both are middlin at shooting the three, and they appear to both get in early foul trouble as a whole. One area that Tech seems to be better in is scoring efficiency, scoring 1.03 Points Per Possession compared to Miami 0.92 PPP. This gets back to Buzz focus on Possessions and Paint Touches. Both teams are averaging 63 possessions per game so I would expect a higher number than that this evening, probably close to 70 per team.
I expect this to be a back and forth game that hopefully Tech can come out on top of as we seem to have better options at the big and as long as our shooters hit their shots. The area of concern of course is experience and that nod goes to Miami(OH) this year.
Tech 75, Miami(OH) 72
Comments
Has your season outlook changed after these last couple of defeats, repeter?
I'll hang up and listen, thanks.
My season outlook is somewhat dimmer than I originally had thought. I had thought Buzz would have the defensive scheme using the 4 guards more settled at this point in terms of help defense and spacing on the floor. Buzz for years has run smaller lineups so I am surprised at how much of a weakness our defense of the lane has been so far.
Its also surprising with how well we controlled the ball in the first game in terms of turnovers how much we are turning it over since then. Thats always a staple of Buzz basketball, which is to significantly limit turnovers.
I want to wait until we get to the middle of December so Buzz has an opportunity to get the guys in the gym to make corrections before I totally write off this season as developmental. Until then its going to be a bit of a roller coaster ride I imagine.
I'm not surprised by the defense and spacing issues given the number of freshmen we have on the floor.
anyone know where I can find a stream for this?
Might want to check the game thread for the Northern Iowa game. There was a streaming link for that one and its the same tournament
Think this announcer spent a little bit too much time on the beach hahaha
I noticed a lot of sunburned people in the crowd last night
Mr. Krabs?
Ready to see the Hokies crush! First time I'm getting a chance to witness #BUZZKETBALL this year
That's an.....interesting starting line up.
There's no way there's any more than 200 people at this game. I can hear every word Buzz is barking
anyone have a link? Can't access the link from yesterday's game
http://www.stream2watch.me/basketball/miami-vs-virginia-tech-live-stream
Probably want to have adblock enabled
I love the way they are attacking the basket and hustling, wish they had done that last night. Bibbs is the real thing.
Thank you for driving to the lane tonight, guys. That's how you force fouls and making a decent amount of free throws.
Shooting starting to heat up for the hokies. Some nice threes, transiston and mid range baskets going in.
Moving fast as well. Really scooting off the ball.
And 79% from the line
Other than turnovers this is probably our most comprehensive half of basketball so far this season. Really wish the refs would let these guys play as the whistles are way to often tonight on both side. We are doing a much better job driving the lane, positioning under the rim and creating turnovers with pressure defense. Best moment so far was the man move where Pierce just took the ball away as the guy tried to shoot. That made me smile big time. He is also really doing a good job causing Miami to alter their shots. Adam Smith and Bibbs have been very good this half as well. Oh and JVZ and others hitting the front end of 1 and 1's about made me cry.
speaking of JVZ and free throws, what do you make of this unique form he's been using? that's a recent development right?
But you said the key word....form. And yes it is fairly new, third game I have seen him use it but I am ok with whatever process he chooses to use as long as it works and is repeatable. Anything for consistency. Devin has also finally developed a shot at the line as well. Really glad to see improvements coming at a rapid pace in-season.
it's a new thing this season. he's used it in every game
Adam Smith looks tough. Strokin' from downtown
My God. He's unstoppable tonight.
Do more of this
This has been more fun to watch. A lot of transiston baskets made from good D and much better finishing.
By the way, I am now drinking the way the Hokies are scoring over their opponents. Doing doubles baby. Hopefully the football team takes some notes from this game.
Smith is seeing a humongous basket. 3's are dropping with a snap. Pretty.
Adam Smith: The Wealth of Treys
I have become a Justin Bibbs groupie.
Only negative is the turnovers. We need work against the press but we have done ok so far after the initial pass.
You can tell that Miami definitely missed having #33 Washington in the game that first half since he was suspended. He has played a huge role in keeping Miami even close (relative term) in the second half.
Bourbon is better when you are winning BIG
So is Watou Triple.
Here come the quick fouls. Let's see if we can get these FT's.
I hope they start using Pierce as much as possible, I think he is going to be very good before his career is done.
These whistles must taste like pie. Every breath.
That was fun.
Bibbs - 22
Smith - 26
Well done kids.
Sloppy defense and ball handling those last ten minutes. Really loved Buzz pulling the whole squad off the floor after two quick turnovers, brought them to the sideline, coached them up and put them right back in to finish the game. Definitely never saw that from Johnson. Overall a great win but we wont be able to count on two guys going ape on the basket every night. Smith/Bibbs accounted for 61% of our scoring tonight. Dangerous way to live but was definitely fun to watch tonight.
Nice win.