Buzzketball Rolls Arkansas-Pine Bluff 80-45

The last time the Virginia Tech men's basketball team took the floor at Cassell Coliseum, it ended with a two point overtime loss and a terse Buzz Williams press conference. Just a few minutes into the Hokies' 80-45 domination of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it was clear things would be different.

Tech waded through a choppy first half full of fouls (32) and free throws (45), and short on Golden Lion points (16) and made field goals (9 COMBINED). But fortunately for the Hokies style is not considered in the final score, and Williams and company can add a fifth tally in the win column.

"We have millions of miles to go to get where can have a chance to beat a team of equal or better talent," said Williams, never one to take a gimme game for granted. "And so the opponent today really wasn't Pine Bluff, the opponent was ourselves. We've lost a game already at home to a team with lesser talent, and we've lost to a team at home of equal or better talent, and we've done the same on the road.

"And so you have to utilize not just game day but shoot around on game day, and film on game day and practices to grow up. And we've got a lot of growing up to do, and I thought there was some of that displayed today."

While it's easy to write the game off for slop, Tech showed an improved vigor defensively which contributed to UAPB's ice cold performance, and an ever-present insistence on getting to the basket. If you only hit 26% of your shots as a team in a half, it's necessary to supplement with trips to the line, and the Hokies did just that.

The athleticism of Chris Clarke and Jalen Hudson gave the Golden Lions fits, as the youngsters consistently beat their men off the dribble. Hudson started his second game of the season, and provided the type of results fans have expected all year. The sophomore poured in 15 points, and while he primarily attacked the rim, he drained two triples and showed defenses his respectability from distance.

"He's the kid that you want your daughter to marry, he's the kid that you want to bring home to Thanksgiving," Williams said. "But he hasn't always been the kid that you want fighting for you in a game. But I think he's realizing you can do both.

"He's very smart, very conscientious about everything, and he's starting to figure out all of the things we are asking of him. I'm really proud of him, not because he's a good player, he's been a good player. I'm really proud that he's forcing himself to do the things that we're asking him to do."

Now if can Hudson duplicate his performance, we all may just see the growth Williams sees, because this specific version of the shooting guard was the best player in white today.

Though critiquing a blowout victory is tough to do, Tech did show their faults. The general offensive philosophy still seems geared around attacking the lane, but when will their lack of finishing close to the hoop bite them in the rear? Though numbers from the charity stripe carried them to a win on Saturday, will the fouls be consistent all year? The NCAA may say yes, but it can't be counted on night-to-night, especially as conference play begins.

Both Clarke and Zach LeDay (13 points and 10 rebounds) showed their weaknesses in that department, as the duo frequently failed to convert chances through contact. But to their credit, they also displayed their strengths, fighting for second chance points and creating extra opportunities for their offense.

"In the first half I was trying to go around people too much," Clarke said. "In the second half I was taking it to the basket and just laying it up or dunking it."

Though just 5-14 from the field, the freshman was a spark plug during times of stagnation. He came through with a dunk, steal or tipped ball just when his team seemed to be falling back on their heels. Will he need to work on his efficiency? Yes. But his contributions on the court continue to show why his minute count remains higher than any of his fellow newcomers.

"I just let the game come to me, that's what I do every game," he said. "Not to think too much, trying to make the right plays, play smart, no turnovers, try to rebound as much as I can for my team."

By the sound of the final horn, the remaining fans cheered for walk ons Greg Donlon and Matt Galloway (and hoped for a return of the t-shirt gatling gun) as their team rolled. The home team will head to Radford for their next game, to face a Highlander squad who won in Cassell a year ago.

If this team is really better than the one which wore maroon and orange last season, then a win on Wednesday is imperative. Virginia Tech hasn't picked up a true win on the road in the Buzz Williams era, at Radford will be their most attainable chance to do so.

While it's not obvious who has the advantage next week, the Hokies can go into it off an overarchingly dominant win. The next step? Building off it.