MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE TIME OF THIS GAME
STARTING FIVE VS WVU:
@JustinBibbs10
@Dev_11VT
@JalenHudson5
@kjblack15
@ZachLeDay32
#ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/uiVY0Tp236— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) December 30, 2015
Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius: 119 XM: 193
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn
Television
ESPNU
Roy Philpott & Cory Alexander
Our last OOC game before ACC play Hokie fans and arguably our hardest!! How do the Hokies fare against a major foe after losing a tough game to St Joes and one of their top energy guys in Chris Clarke, (likely done for the season.) Tech takes on a Cousins team that comes into Cassell having only lost to UVA so far this season. One thing to note though is that they havent played anyone else from P5 Conferences and only San Diego State and Richmond are normally competitive from their schedule so far.
The 'Eers are led in scoring by Junior Forward Devin Williams, (#41) 6'9, 255 Lbs, providing 16.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.6 APG all while shooting 58% from the field. Williams is a monster down low and shoots a respectable 70% from the free throw line. We are going to need Hamilton and Pierce to step up in this game so that Blackshear doesn't get into early foul trouble. Williams is just too much body and size for Leday to match up and not get into foul trouble himself.
Williams is joined in double digit scoring by three teammates, most notably Daxter Miles, (#4) 6'3, 185 Sophomore Guard giving his team 12.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 4.5 APG. Miles and Williams complement each other's game because of how well they pass. Neither of these two are adept at shooting from outside so expect both to focus on finding the open shot down low.
The third WVU player in double figures this season is Jevon Carter,(#2) 6'2, 185 lbs Senior Guard. The Hokies will need Bibbs and Hudson to defend here. Carter is putting up 12.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 3 apg. He is also deadly from the free throw at 87% so not who we want holding the ball with a lead late in the game. Carter is their defensive motor as well, grabbing 2.3 steals per game and just being a constant source of harassment, meeting most point guards at the top of the key and outworking them.
The last double digit scorer for the Moutaineers is Jaysean Paige, (#5) 6'2, 200 Lbs Senior Guard with 10.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.4 SPG. Paige is another guard that will constantly have his hand in passing lanes.
As a team, the Mountaineers are averaging an impressive 12 steals per game, and force almost 22 turnovers total per game. If this happens today, the Hokies wont be able to stay close in this game.
The flip side of such a high energy defense is that they also foul quite often, averaging sending their opponents to the line 25 times per game, so with the Hokies offensive game plan, we could see that number spike here to 35 or more attempts. The key will be making them.
Splitting time down low with Williams will be Jonathan Holton(#1) 6'7, 220 Lbs Senior Forward and Elijah Macon, (#45) 6'9, 240 Lbs Sophomore Forward who combine for 15.5 PPG, 11 RPG and are both excellent at body control down low, making it difficult for opponents to get shots in the lane.
The biggest keys for Tech in this game is that Leday, Pierce, Hamilton and Blackshear stay out of foul trouble and provide good interior rebounding and a modicum of scoring. The jump shots have to be there to keep WVU honest or they will just pack the lane and run away with the game. The team as a whole needs to hit 70% of their free throws because they should get plenty of opportunities.
I just don't see how this team, without Clarke, will have enough energy to stay with this Mountaineers team. That's not a knock on the Hokies, this is a really really good Cousins team while we all know where we are in our rebuilding process.
The positives are that this is a sold out game, so the energy from the crowd should be high and that these guys are young enough that Buzz might fire them up enough to steal one here. We are also 17-12 against the Mountaineers in Home games and have won the last two at Cassell. This game will be very telling in how we will approach a lot of the ACC schedule on both ends of the floor, as this is a much bigger roster than many of the teams we have played so far.
Go Hokies, but in the end I think we fall 85-75.
Oh and one more note, the Lady Hokies play at 3 against Furman, and are attempting to close out their OOC slate with a 12-1 record. Go Ladies, rout Furman.
Comments
well...this is awkward
Had the writeup all done and my computer decided to shut down and failed to back up my files so writeup gone. Figured it was more important people know about the noon start than who their top scorers are.
I was just bustin' your chops for double posting....and it appears the duplicate post has been deleted. NBD
Probably my computer again. Its got a case of the Mondays. Doesnt want to function at all. It probably needs some new Flair.
Thanks! Gonna watch during lunch!
One of my favorite moments as a Hokie basketball fan was going straight from a class of mine to Cassell in 2013 as VT took on WVU during ESPN's 24 hour marathon. VT came back from a 17 point 1st half deficit. It was a blast watching Bob Huggins having a meltdown as his WVU squad unraveled.
Ben Emelogu had 22 points, Adam Smith had 19 points. I was convinced that the James Johnson era was on the right track.
It was really the only chance I had to take in the VT-WVU rivalry and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Also, when I met Buzz after his introductory press conference in Cassell Coliseum I asked him, "You know you made every Hokie happy when you danced on the middle of WVU's court, right?"
He said, "Yeah but I can't do that anymore, that got me in a lot of trouble"
Oh well!
What's with all the noon tips?
ugggh a little peeved about this noon tip since it is a Wednesday and all. Guess ESPN thinks everyone has the week off.
Checking in. But I got a baaaaad feeling about this.
I have a good feeling today idk why... Let's go Hokies!!
I hoping we just play with better effort after gettin dat ass waxed by St. Joe's.
Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like most of those tickets that were on stubhub went to the WVU crowd.
On the positive side that probably means VT provides a better education because our alumni are at work on a Wednesday.
This is.... not going well.
got the game on dvr. Must resist urge to look at this thread anymore
That catch... Think LeDay could play some tight end?
We're going to sorely miss that Chris Clarke fella.
Robinson cant be the one counted on to break the press. Not sure what Buzz is thinking on that. Only saving grace is WVU being almost as sloppy once they take the ball away from us.
Huggi Bear being Huggi Bear, telling one of his players "Thats Stupid"
We are getting physically beaten with this small lineup out there. Buzz just doesnt want to admit to himself that he is going to have to play two of the bigs together (and Leday does not count as a big) and that drive by Leday would be open more often if we had another big in the game. It would allow Leday to create and we desperately need that with Clarke out of the lineup.
Leday is playing like a man right now. Dude really wants to win.
"Seth Allen....with an open lane to the basket....loses it out of bounds." Le sigh.
Edit: Okay I'm going to take this comment back. Allen came to ball and has saved our skin way more than he's been a liability so far.
This is sad. Sounds like a majority West Virginia crowd.
Seth with another awful turnover. Driving was the right option you just cant lose that handle. So much of this game so far has looked like elementary school basketball.
Not playing on 106.7 or 99.1 in NOVA. Any other options for FM radio stations?
Unfortunately no, they usually drop it to 1580 AM if it isnt on those other two FM stations.
They did however change the WatchESPN app so any game they are showing on one of their channels is also available streaming on the WatchESPN app.
The start of a long BB season. My heart bleeds for VT and just GUSHES for our BB team. I hope I'm wrong. Please tell me I'm wrong.
You may not be wrong.
Crowd is chanting, "Let's go... Hokies" and the announcer says, "It sounds like a West Virginia home game." I guess you don't get the A-team with a Wednesday noon tip-off.
Really is telling when they pan through the crowd. WVU home game at Cassell.
Looking on the bright side, we will enjoy spending their money.
To be fair, they've had a team for a while.
VT hasn't.
Is it me or do a few of the Mountaineer players look like they are in their 30s?
When you are playing against freshmen, and have full grown man beards to boot its going to show the age gap. #1 Holton is 24 though.
Bob Huggins' mumu ain't foolin' anyone.
Pretty ridiculous that we already have four players with two fouls each
They're mugging LeDay down low with no consequences.
Wow Buzz was pissed at someone calling that timeout, not sure if it was Devin for getting beat or Leday for not helping but Buzz is losing his mind over there. Our coaches need to get him away from the refs when he is in that mode.
and our third foul with turnover because we cant break the press man to man
I know WVU is a good press team but this is just painful to watch. Breaking the press and trying to get a pass in bounds have been cringe worthy.
Press has led to nine of our thirteen turnovers so far this half. Three by offensive foul, three by five second violation, and three just throwing the ball away.
The refs are calling this game like shite....we have 4 fouls going for a rebound that is a free ball and then they call nothing on a major contact with Leday and then call some bullcrap contact on seth away from the ball on inbounds...damn.
and for the love of all that is orange and maroon someone correct the announcers that it is devin wilson not williams.**what is the chance that they have a devin williams on their team, I feel dumb now.
Well, one of West Virginia's best players is named Devin Williams...
Devin Williams is the starting power forward for WVU
Just blame me for not having my game summary posted early enough for you to get it read before the game started.
Had the same kinda confusion during the bowl game when the announcers were talking about Tusla's RB Brewer!
lack of calls when we drive or take shots in the lane is frustrating
Tyrone gonna Tyrone.
We can pray. I will take as much TYRONE as I can get right now.
25 combined turnovers, 33 personal fouls, big difference is the press and the rebounding, nine of our 14 turnovers directly from the press and we are being out-rebounded 18-12. only reason we are close is because we shot 60%.
Devin Wilson is a "calming presence" on the court, but the fact that he simply cannot and will not shoot is a liability when he's on the floor. He simply has to shoot if he is wide open, and he has to attack the rim more. I prefer Allen and Robinson out on the floor.
Also, Hamilton might be the rawest ACC player I've seen. He has great size and length so hopefully Buzz can teach him a jump hook over the next few years.
So I can say that this game is a concentrated edition of the "people of Walmart" series. Boy howdy these wvu fans.
We suck.
Tough teams make free throws. I still don't see a tough minded team right now. Plenty of chances to be in this game. Buzz said pregame this was a "character revealing game". Is what it is.
Problem is that both Allen and Robinson have three fouls each already. Still not able to put plays in to break the press is pretty ridiculous. I also hate the offensive circle around the rim, totally changes how defense has to be played and leads to a ridiculous number of fouls in almost every game.
GRRRRRR CANT BREAK PRESS......BASIC PART OF GAME.....
At this point I'm just rooting for us to inbound the ball as hard as possible off of someone's face.
Thats better than taking a five second violation although legs throws are preferred by officials.
Sorry but this awful and unwatchable.
Can't break a press, fouling non stop, turnovers everywhere. Losing Clarke is really hurting us
I want Henry to get more minutes.
I base this on no basketball knowledge, just fun to watch.
He may make Sportscenter with one or more of those dunks. Nice to see the ball going in the hoop for Henry.
Why isn't he playing more/starting? I could see a difference down low when he played. Did he piss off Buzz or something?
Today was unusual in that when he went up for a dunk, he actually finished some of them, usually he is terrible on the offensive end. His other problem is getting in foul trouble quickly so Buzz doesnt have the option of playing him. Look at today, he played 16 minutes and fouled out. He is also a senior so when Buzz weighs giving time to learn lessons, he is going to have less rope because the return on investment is over a shorter period than when Blackshear or Pierce get out there to learn something.
WVU is 10-1 and top 20 with only loss to top 10 UVA. They are no slouch (so hide your couch)
Our loses:
4-7 Alabama St: bad no excuse
10-1 ISU: was #4 at the time until their loss
12-1 Northwestern: only loss to #9 UNC
10-2 St Joes: their only loses to Florida and #8 NOVA
11-1 WVU: only loss to #10 UVA
I think we have played some pretty solid teams (with exception to Alabama St). I think Northwestern and St Joes are better then what people see, and WVU and Iowa St are tournament teams. I think playing the teams we have played may benefit us come ACC play more so then it did last year
We still have talent issues, and depth issues that take a couple recruiting cycles to fix. Buzz really has only had one full length recruiting cycle. We need talent, depth and or experience at the point guard position. Our point guard position needs to have at least 2 of those characteristics to even compete. Very few teams are lucky to have all three. You would not believe how better everyone else on the court will be when we are set at point guard. Robinson is young and lacks experience, Allen lacks experience, and Wilson just isn't a starting ACC caliber guard IMO (he is just what is left)
Injuries haven't helped
And 35-6 is still possible
I'd be happy to never see another west Virginia fan on our campus ever again
That blocking foul on Devin is the perfect example of why I hate the offensive circle. Wilson was set in plenty of time but he has to be so far from the basket that the offensive player has plenty of time to adjust his path and draw the defensive foul shooting two.
Another over the back foul goes uncalled. Thats eight by my count that should have gone against the Mountaineers.
Well, it's hard to get excited about that.
Looks like it's going to be a long season.
still way behind in talent is what i see
Well rebounding and turning turnovers into points were the two breaking points of this game. As many turnovers as we had (22), we forced WVU to turn the ball over 17 times. The difference was that we got 17 points compared to their 26. We were outrebounded in this game 42-24, allowing them an incredible 18 offensive rebounds. Second chance points went 16-7 in their favor. Thats 18 of the 25 points they beat us by. Scary thing was that personal fouls went 30-30 and we actually outshot them at the free throw line, hitting 25-39 compared to 22-35. Bibbs disappeared in this game, and I do not understand Blackshear getting only 3 minutes of playing time in a game driven by such hard play in the lane. As for everyone else, break the press and get position to rebound. Buzz has to come up with how these guys are going to cleanly break the press or almost every ACC team is going to do the same thing WVU did today.
With all that said, let me end with Go Lady Hokies! Get that 12th win over Furman. The boys might struggle to get to 12 wins by years end.
I know the team isn't very good and it was a working day for most...but come on, to let them out cheer us in our own house?! I was screaming at the top of my lungs and waving my arms trying to get my fellow Hokies excited...nothing doing. Oh well...
Well, this certainly isn't a good look.
It might be for the best if you saw how he was losing his mind screaming into a towel during timeouts. Probably wasnt in the right mind set to have him on the radio.
I wonder what the deal is with Blackshear? He never came back in after first few minutes, I believe.
Three minutes and done. one basket, one rebound, one turnover and two fouls
Sorry to be Captain Hindsight, but would y'all really take Allen per Muller or Smith? Smith only 1 year left, but he is many times the player that Allen is. Meanwhile Muller had 3 years left and he was more of a team player, tougher, and better shooter than Allen. I mean there's still time for Allen to improve, but sometimes new isn't better. Probably should've stayed with what we had.
Allen was already on the team last season, he was just redshirting. Same goes for LeDay. So the real question should be "Would you take Mueller / Smith over Outlaw, Blackshear, Hamilton or Robinson?"
Two of those guys are Forwards, which we need more of, not less. So let's keep them. Mueller/Smith vs Outlaw/Robinson
First, let's rule out Mueller. He had a minimal offensive game. Similar to Wilson in that regard but better shooter while not as good a ball handler. Unable to beat anyone off the dribble. Did play decent defense. Bottom line is that he was the guard picked to play PF, not one of the bigger/stronger guys.
That leaves Smith... at the expense of Outlaw, Blackshear, Hamilton or Robinson.
Outlaw isn't contributing because of a medical condition, and might never play for VT, so he's the easy one to single out in hindsight. But as a player on the court he's far more capable than Smith ever will be. Outlaw is like a mix of Hill and Clarke. Tons of hustle, good shooter, can get to the hoop and defend 3 positions. Smith is a good shooter, but couldn't beat anyone off the dribble and was a below-average defender. Still anything from Smith would be more than Outlaw is giving us this season.
Robinson is a true freshmen pressed into service and is having his struggles, but he is still able to break down the defense and distribute the ball in a way that Smith isn't. He just needs experience and will be our PG of the future. Much more potential that Mueller and Smith.
Summary: Keep Smith, don't recruit Outlaw and we'd have another PG sized SG to work into the rotation.