IT'S GAMEDAY!See you in the Cassell at 7 PM, #HokieNation#BeatPitt pic.twitter.com/VNCR7wlOUj— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) March 2, 2016
Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
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Television/Internet
ESPN3
Adam Witten, Mack McCarthy & Morgan Conklin
Here are #5ThingsToKnow for @VT_MBBall vs Pitt Wed evening! Students- pick up free MBB tix at @VT_Softball (5pm). pic.twitter.com/OkkwGAK9e0— VT Promotions (@VTPromos) March 1, 2016
Hokies fans, Tech comes into this matchup with momentum on their side, having won two in a row on the road in the ACC. Sitting at 8-8 in ACC play, this game plays a pivotal role in how we move forward from here. If you didn't catch it yet, Brian had a great writeup on the nuances of Tech making it to the NIT and all that stands between us. Tonight is the first step in that process and arguably the most important.
Pitt comes in off a big win over Duke on Sunday but other than a few outliers in ACC play, this is not a prolific scoring team, so as long as Tech takes care of the ball it should be able to keep this game competitive, unlike our last time out against the Panthers. This is a Panthers team that has aspirations of making it into the tournament so don't expect them to come in laid back because of their win over Duke. Jamie Dixon won't let that happen. He will be constantly reminding them that this game could be the stone that sinks them.
The Panthers are led in scoring by Junior Forward Michael Young (#2), 6'9, 235 Lbs. who comes in averaging 15.9 PPG, 7 RPG, and 2.6 APG. He usually gets 6 or more points per game from the free throw line, where he shoots 78%, so someone the Hokies should resist giving a lot of And One opportunities if they can.
Junior Forward Jamel Artis (#1), 6'7, 220 Lbs brings 15.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 3 APG to the floor for the Panthers. Artis and Young have both improved their rebounding during conference play but scoring is down for each of them. Look for Artis to rotate from the top of the key to the perimeter most of the game, as he likes to attempt the outside shot.
The only other Panther in double digits is Senior Guard James Robinson (#0) 6'3, 200 Lbs. who brings 10.4 PPG, 3 RPG, and 5.4 APG as the Panthers primary ball handler. This matchup will likely fall to Robinson or Wilson, depending who is on the floor at the time. He single handedly put Duke on notice in their last game and is looking to close out a strong senior season with a trip to the Dance.
Junior Forward Sheldon Jeter, (#21) 6'7, 215 Lbs putting up 8 PPG and 4.9 RPG rounds out the primary starters for this team, so as you can see, they arent an especially large team, which has hurt them in the ACC so far. Jeter was their magic weapon last time against us, scoring 13 of their first 18 points and finishing the night with 23, so hopefully Buzz has something ready for him.
The biggest nightmare for the Hokies is that the Panthers roster has three players that all shoot better than 41% from outside.. Senior Guard Sterling Smith (#15) 6'4, 185 Lbs., Ryan Luther(#4) 6'9, 215 Lbs Sophomore Forward and Cameron Johnson (#23) 6'7, 185 Lbs Freshmen Guard combined for 25 points against Tech in the last game so we obviously cant have a bad night guarding the perimeter.
Biggest stat to take away from our last time out against Pitt. 30....as in 30 assists on 36 baskets. We left the Panthers open for way to many easy buckets. The other number that jumps out at you is 20. Tech's turnover total in that game. We normally are down in the 11-13 range, so giving up almost ten possessions plays a big part in losing by almost twenty.
This game we cant afford to repeat either of those performances. One challenge is that Pitt is a very long team, seemingly more so than even our Hokies. There are times that they have at least four players on the floor at least 6'7 so a challenge to deal with in terms of size and strengths. We will need a really steady game from Henry and Blackshear to keep us close in this game and at least one of the shooters have to come up with a highlight night to keep the pressure off Allen so he can have the space to get inside and cause havoc foul wise for Pitt's bigs.
I look for Bibbs to continue to improve his ability to find a shot rather than just waiting for the open looks. Hopefully Leday being at home can find his shots early and contribute key buckets so we are in position for him to ice this game late at the line.
On defense, we need to have active hands in the lane because Pitt relies on a lot of interior passing this season both inside and out, so getting our hands on those passes could make the difference in this game. We have to make sure we are keeping the possession total close to even or Pitt can run away again.
Buzz wont let his team suffer two blowouts to the same opponent in a season tonight. He also knows how critical this game likely is in terms of any hope for the post season. He is going to have these young Hokies focused and energized. Tech wins 75-67 much in the same fashion of how we closed out Wake Forest. Hopefully this time it doesn't take 16 attempts at the line in the last five minutes to ice the game away. The Hokies ended up 24-33 for the game last time out. We could really use that kind of scoring boost tonight as well. The Hokies only went 14-20 last time out against Pitt, almost all of that Allen.
Comments
Since it is only on ESPN3, here is a link. Hopefully it works.
Let's GO HOKIES!
Pitt at home? Let's do it again.
Throwback to Adam Smith's game winning 3 in Cassell last year...
Eat shit, Pitt!
Go Hokies!
And comes the refs with their whistles.
looks like we really want to run tonight
Whoever is doing the camera work is drunk.
I guess ESPN shouldn't have hired you as a cameraman.
That trap was savage, great defense.
Keep going inside.
Can't tell how much of it is the crowd and how much is the poor ESPN3 broadcast, but the atmosphere in Cassell seems pretty dreary so far
Wow awful camera work and sound quality. I think this might be one of those satellite telecast games from Bristol
ESPN must let all their interns work the ESPN3 broadcasts
I wouldn't hate to see more of Morgan Conklin. A former Hokies soccer player and very easy on the eyes
How dare you sir!
Kidding, kidding
Could we have started any slower
Broadcast guys are not very good, too many empty seats.
How was that not an offensive foul for a pushoff?
We have the Dixie cup and string sound system.
Pitt must have gone to the BC school of 3pt shooting.
The quality here reminds me of the VT-Radford coverage.
Thankfully there are fewer Hardee's commercials.
And that transition noise. Almost blew out my computer speakers the first time
Keep attacking inside let's get Pitt in foul trouble. Refs are using their whistles.
Just how they drew that one up. Yep. No doubt. 30 footer with a hand in the face? Absolutely.
I was like No Seth, YES!
Literally every Seth Allen shot is this. ^
Miami 35 ND 22.
I'm trying to watch some of this BC-VT ACC women's tournament game right now....but it's a rough watch.
Score?
Lost 49-37 to #14 seed Boston College.
Picking up some ticky-tack fouls against Pitt early. Good sign for us.
Keep attacking inside and put players on the bench. Would somebody please start pulling people off the streets of Bburg and fill our empty seats.
Airball
"Oh my... that'll get the crowd going"
They'd better not give LeDay a flagrant or a technical for that celebration.
Edit: Looks like it was Robinson who actually made contact.
Robinson makes contact with his cheek and the guy jumps up grabbing his forehead
Pitt school of theater and acting must be traveling right now
This might be the worst college basketball broadcast I've ever watched
Flagrant Foul on a celebration? Are you kidding me?
How the fuck is that flagrant?
Soft ACC refs per usual.
Let's GO HOKIES we can do this!
Someone dim the lights during that timeout?
Strong run for us over the past few minutes. Good work on both ends of the floor.
When Wilson is shooting the J we can't lose.
WILSON
Yes Wilson 3!
It does my heart good to see Devin Wilson knocking down 3s
Can't help but feel good for the kid.
Havent been keeping track but Pitts looking to match our 20 turnovers from first matchup.
Yep and it feels like we're out rebounding them too
Looks like 8 right now if I read that scrolling scoreboard correctly
Really don't want to let this one slip away at the stripe...
Both teams missing free throws like it's their job.
Wilson found some fire since that Wake game!
We one sloppy move went our way.
Attacking the bucket is paying off just need to make those free throws.
That was a very weak blocking foul on Robinson. Seems the new emphasis on contact has gotten too soft
Annnnnnd might have been a makeup call for LeDay
We might be getting some calls tonight. LeDay has been called for the charge on that same play several times this year in ACC play.
You spoke too soon. Terrible call on Wilson, that was a textbook charge, gut even got his forearm out square into Wilsons chest. Hell Wilson was practically a statue he stood still so long.
Of course that was a charge! BS. Guy with coconut bra two thumbs down.
That's a textbook charge by Wilson. Unbelievable
Devin Wilson stood for about 3 seconds and the panther drives right into his chest. Blocking foul. I guess I do not understand the rules.
HOLY HELL! How in the name of god is that a blocking foul? One of the worst calls I've ever seen.
Usually block/charge calls can go either way. That one could only go one way and it sure as hell was not a block
textbook charge position from Wilson. Absolute shit call
Not to mention he wasn't in the act of shooting either. Bt they gave him 2 shots.
Actually gave him three tries since he shot before the refs allowed it and he missed but made the extra try
I think it was a 1 and 1
Even that stupid arc can't be blamed these ACC refs Jill me week in week out they need to go back to ref school.
My heart can't take it
Worst thing we can do is give them free throws right now
I'm worried we've stopped playing to win and are now playing not to lose.
Damnit
Weren't we just up 13 points?
0% of his shoe was out.
We're choking again.
Fortunately, not today my friend.
phew. Pretty sure my hair thinned a little bit because of this game.
Heart attack Hokies at it again. Buzz needed to take a time out when the lead was cut to 7
Terrible...straight back to the Syracuse game. Rushing things when we need to be eating clock. Really bad
Just imagine if we could make some damn free throws.
Looked at my friend when we were up by 13 and told him they were going to make a run and make this game at the very least interesting. I've seen this movie one too many times before.
Zach Leday is a godsend
That'll do it! Pitt just couldn't overcome their bad shooting.
Phew
Hahaha that was awesome
Well that got real interesting...
We are guaranteed .500 in the ACC!!
Love the thought we might be the reason Clemson fsu and now Pitt might be left out. Am I a hater? Maybe, but eat shit Pitt
haha at what point do we become the reason they still get in?
Just a stater not a hater.
I can tell you're a fellow West Virginian...
OMG WINNING SEASON OMG
Get more people in stands for Miami and clean up our finish and free throws.
I need another drink before my hair looks like Buzz's
They made us work for it!
We are now tied with Pitt in the standings.
On top of that we are guaranteed to not have a losing conference record.
Buzz-ket-ball!!!!
Playing Buzz-ket-ball......
Wow. That was draining just to watch. I'm glad the Hokies kept the winning momentum going. Muck Fiami in the season finale!
Well Leday at the line was right as ugly as it was. Can't believe how bad we were on free throws tonight. Even a decent night and we win comfortably.
TA'ing for a graduate class tonight, so I missed the game, but I was pleasantly surprised when I read the result on my phone!!! BUZZKETBALL WIN!!!
via GIPHY
A win is a win! Go Hokies!
Beat Miami!
Man it's hard to watch, but these boys play hard. Nice for each game to mean something down the stretch. As buzz said... 1 more win for the Hokies.
Man, I thought the ref's were going to blow it down the stretch. I huge host of really bad calls once we had a 13 point lead with 2:30 to go.
I thought we were going to blow it down the stretch. Just make the free throws and don't let the refs make an impact on the outcome of the game
I was referring to the team with the lead committing at least 6 called fouls when nursing a big lead. It just doesn't happen without ref's. Bad charge calls, etc.
I agree the refs were awful. Then again they usually are. But if we had lost that game I would've blamed our inability to finish them off with free throws more than the refs. My mind is still blown about the Devin Wilson block though
Can we let the go with "the refs suck" mentality. Its hard to officiate sports. We went to the line 35 times to their 23 - the refs didn't almost blow it for us . Every game has some tough calls - especially block/charge calls -it is the toughest call on the court. I thought Wilson was there in time, but the ref didn't see it that way. They don't have the same angle we have or the time to process it like we do sitting on our couch.
It really irritates me how we've just got to the point that I read these boards after a game and always there is complaining about the refs. We expect them to be perfect from the first time they step on a court/field and expect them to be BETTER the next time. It is not realistic. Humans err. I guarantee you those guys review tape after every game of all their calls and they are their own worst critics. I know as with all groups, some refs are better than others, and some are better people than others, but in the course of a 40 minute game, the teams have multiple opportunities to make the refs irrelevant, so let's worry about the teams more so than the refs.
Usually, I'd agree with you (and as a ref for both football and wrestling, I can confirm: it's hard and the pressure is huge). However, those guys are in the ACC for a reason. Missing that charge is just inexcusable. Wilson was there and set for two seconds, and the call was a block. There's literally nothing else he could have done to be more set. A few other calls that were 50/50, yeah, ok, reffing is hard and we'll let it slide. But that one will have me heated for quite a while.
And, if my memory serves me correctly, the crew tonight has been abysmal every time they've officiated one of our games. Dissapointing too, because I always liked Ayers in the past.
I can agree to disagree. Hitting the free throws would have helped significantly, but Pitt should have been a lot further behind. There were quite a few calls that replays showed were really bad.
I hate the fact that in many games it seems like the refs call many fouls right before the ends of halves to try and even up the number of fouls that were called in a game.
Agreed, my biggest problem with the refs is their complete inconsistency and missing obvious calls such as double-dribbles and traveling. I really thought at the beginning of the year it was going to be better when they were calling things pretty tight and according to the 31 rule changes, but, they have gotten back to the same sloppy game calling. I don't buy that it's so tough. I do think the refs are over-scheduled. Maybe they shouldn't be allowed to do so many games in a week.
All that said, the Hokies are doing a good job going to the hoop to draw fouls or score, a signature of Buzz's teams which I followed at MU. But, the Hokies have to improve their FT shooting. Luckily for Tech, Pitt shot poorly tonight and helped us out.
Bottom line, I'll take a "W" and I'm looking forward to being at the game Sat.
This narrative is ridiculous. We shot 12 more free throws. One call doesn't make or break us. Missed free throws after missed free throws, however, break us. That is what's inexcusable. That is is what would've blown it. Not a couple call block/charge calls.
Our basketball team might finish with a better conference winning % than our football team. Who would have thought?
I don't know much about basketball, but geez I'm shocked at how few free throws were successful second half. That was stressful.
It might be the Coors Origonals talking, but Buzz Williams is the greatest coach EVER
It's not crazy to say that he's the best basketball coach VT has ever had.
Tied with Pitt? We are actually tied with Pitt, Syracuse and Clemson for 7th place and one game behind Notre Dame. Bring on first place Miami.
Checking in late, but damn what a game! They could have blown it late, but instead closed it out with good D when it mattered. Now let's finish strong against Miami and roll that momentum into the ACC tourney!
This is just so awesome guys.
Who bet the over on ACC wins for us?
I am starting to think this buzz guy knows how to coach some roundball...
Welcome aboard the Buzz train!
What are the current projections for VT's ACC tourney seed? This was a killer win!
Better than they were last year... or the year before... or the year before... or the year before...
8/9 seed assuming we lose to Miami (who won at ND tonight by 18)
Well, last time I checked, the last team to smack an elite-program-having-a-less-than-elite-season lost in Cassell tonight by 4. So yeah.
If we beat Miami and Syracuse loses their last game to Florida State, we are the 6 seed, I believe.
At 4 games we having longest current ACC winning Streak. Miami and two ACC tourney wins will get us in bubble talk.
I'm all for the hype train and all but our current rpi is only 98, and going with the current conference standings as the seeding and assuming no other upsets, we'd have a Miami home win, a Clemson neutral win, a Miami neutral win, and a Duke neutral loss. That would put our rpi at 73 which wouldn't make the tournament. Even if we beat Duke and then lose to UNC in the championship our RPI only goes up to 69 which is still unlikely to make the dance. It appears the the only realistic way to make it to the dance is to just win. Don't forget that if another higher seed team wins then our win against them would be considered a lower quality win and that would put us even farther away from an at large.
#Sauces http://www.rpiforecast.com/wizard/Virginia%20Tech.html
Edit: I'm tired and screwed up the first time, should be correct now.
A little late to the party here... Wow, that was a dreadful finish. But it was a finish nonetheless! I'll take it from this young team. Next week will be fun.
Could anyone imagine Buzz and Foster watching any kind of sporting event together? Over/Under on flipped furniture at 7.5
uhhhh yea I'll be taking the over
I'll take the under. First minute the TV is shattered, the they go outside for a nature walk.
Bud and Buzz fishing on Claytor Lake and talking shop could make for a good podcast.
RIP fishies.