A return to network television will not be kind to the Hokies. NC State provides a challenge that the current state of the Hokies is probably not capable of handling. The weight of the 17 game road losing streak, the 2-11 ACC record and just the wear and tear of always being Don Quixote night after night all come into play tonight.
Television
ESPN2 - Dave Lamont & Jim Calhoun
Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network - Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius: 84 XM: 84
(NC State broadcast)
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn
The Hokies face the Wolfpack, who are sitting on the knife's edge of postseason play. If they can make a serious push to win their remaining games they guarantee an NIT berth and move themselves to the bubble for the NCAA, but if they lose to Tech, that path is likely over. Expect the Wolfpack to come out well rested after a week off, and focused on beating the Hokies.
As for who to watch for, the Wolfpack is led by Trevor Lacey (#1), a 6'3, 210 lbs guard that transferred in after graduating from Alabama last year. He has made an instant impact, providing 16.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 3.4 apg. He also hits 42% from beyond the arc. Lacey will also be back next season, after redshirting at Alabama left him with two years of eligibility.
Second to focus on is Ralston Turner, (#22) a 6'5, 205 lbs senior guard who transferred in from LSU. He is scoring 12.6 ppg, along with 3.1 rpg. Turner also shoots 37% from outside.
Third guard on the floor for the Wolfpack is Anthony Barber (#12), a 6'2, 185 lbs sophomore who is giving his team 11.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 3.8 apg. He shoots 37% from three point land as well. A trio of guards that drain three's all day is a prescription for worst case scenario unless Buzz changes up the defensive strategy for this game. Tech has to cover the arc or it will be a bloodbath out there, as we have seen too many times this season, where the Hokies allow open shooters from outside again and again.
Kyle Washington, a 6'9, 230 lbs sophomore Forward, provides the man inside for NC State. He averages 7.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg.
He is joined by the Martin twins, Cody and Caleb, freshmen forwards that while not consistent contributors so far, are two that Tech will have to be aware of for years as they can provide a big spark for the Wolfpack. So far that spark is about 8 points and 6 rebounds per game combined but it comes in spurts so they could be the surprise of the night tonight.
Another great outside shooting team....
Unfortunately I anticipate another loss, unless Tech takes the ball to the rim consistently all night and scores. NC State does not have big bodies and Henry and Beyer should be able to contribute down low. They need to realize that this is a game where they dont need to focus on defending the lane but rather protect the outside and force the Wolfpack to try to win the game in the lane.
Wolfpack 73 - Hokies 67
Comments
Game has already started, sorry for the late warning, snow today has had my priorities on other things.
Anyone else think we would have scored more than one point in 6 min if we just chucked it from half court each time down the court.
It's the Adam Smith show again.
More like a $hit show again...
Not so fast my friend.
Look I know it's easy to be negative and down but I'm gonna cheer my ass off and watch the whole game.
GET EM HOKIES
I dont understand our lineup or our defensive strategy. We continue to leave the three open as we have all season. We actually have the size that we should be able to match up against this team and guard the perimeter. Headed to another blowout with this strategy. Johnston as the 5? GTFO Drive me crazy when we dont matchup when we can.
Hey! A Layup!
OMG Bibbs you were wide open on that three. Jeez.
Late to the game but it looks like we're getting pushed around in the middle again. Johnston just got thrown around like a rag doll. Le sigh.
I know they will never make all their shots, but I do expect them play with solid fundamentals and not turn the ball over frequently. The slop should be worked out by this time of the season.
Bibbs is back !
Damn right Mr. Smith!
Smith makes the most ridiculous shots. We're living by the 3 now, hope we don't die by it in the second half.
Good run right before the half, if we keep up the 3 point shooting we may have a shot in this one.
They definately Ned to get something going on offense, so drive and dish or just some old fashioned attacking the rim. Is Buzz still pushing for paint touches?
Way to close that half out, gents. Good hustle and way to respond when we absolutely needed it.
The three guards that my write up focused on combined for 24 of NC State's 32 points. Painful to watch them simply be allowed to do what they would typically do. No challenge to the outside shot until late in the half
Only down by 3!
Playing much more confidant and controlled here in the second half.
Welcome back Good Bibbs!
That isn't a foul?
Bibbs shouldered to the ground with no call is ridiculous.
Unbelievable. Completely changed momentum. Maybe these refs want NC State to make the tournament.
And then NC State gets the ticky tack foul on the other end. ACC home cookin just ridiculous this season.
That guys foot was on the line. Shouldn't have been a three. Extra point for NC State
How do we give up so many 3's?
Overreacting defensively everywhere else.
This is true. We are very susceptible to cross court swing pass.
I might be able to add to that. We're forced to overcompensate when the ball is in the paint and commit more men to help on defense. That opens up an easy pass for a three ball. Is that plausible?
No way that's a charge on Beyer if earlier wasn't a charge knocking down Mueller. Just tired of inconsistent officials. Tough enough for us to be in this game with a level court.
About done with these refs. Home cooking is painfully obvious.
Wide open threes on us though
Is fatigue from having an undermanned roster starting to set in? Two straight games of second half collapses.
Wilson oh my.
Whyyyyyy do We do this to ourselves twice a week?! We know exactly how it's going to go, yet we put ourselves through 2 hours of misery twice a week lol
Couldn't of just run the clock out could you Gottfried? Probably the moment of that kids life.
Did give us 5 easy points, but you could tell those kids were pushing the pace to raise their career points total to 4 points.
Compared to their 100000 total points in high school.
Don't worry guys, were just saving our best basketball for Duke this week
My wife went to State... I'll give her this one
2016 can't come soon enough for basketball