[Atlantic Coast Conference]
The Hokies won't dance this March, but a bid to the NIT is more than a consolation prize.
After combining for just 4 ACC wins over the past two seasons, Tech finished its 2015-16 campaign on a 6-game conference win streak before ultimately falling to Miami in the ACC Tournament. The Hokies posted a winning record in ACC play (10-8) during head coach Buzz Williams second year on the job.
"I think what we've done speaks for itself," Williams said after Tech's 82-88 loss. "If that's good enough for the NIT, we'd be thankful for an invite."
Virginia Tech will try for its twentieth win of the season again Princeton in Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday at 8:00 PM. The game will be broadcast by ESPNU.
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Let's win the thing.
And that other thing!
Zach looks pretty excited about the news.
Either that or he just saw his car being towed
Valley Tow strikes again...
How have the good people of Blacksburg not risen up and torched that place?
that's a long walk to carry torches and pitchforks
He does have a tendency to park in F/S spots.
How long do we expect it to be before we have a date and time ?
It's on Wednesday, 8 PM, televised on ESPNU.
Wednesday 8 P.M at VT. ESPNU televising game.
It's nice to see the team got together to watch the selection show. I remember reading that Seth Greenberg never did this with the team and never had an intention to.
Love the focused look on their faces. Let's get it done
Guess he knew that the Bubble was always bursting on him, like Charlie Brown and the football
That is not true. Greenberg hosted a selection party at his home the last season we were on the bubble. Bull and bones catered the party and I know the manager who attended.
Here's one of the articles I remember reading from the last time they were on the bubble . I seem to also remember reading a few others on how he didn't spend typically Selection Sunday with the team. Maybe a combination of truths?
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/26152/greenber...
congratulations to team and BUZZ nice finish to season, now let's go deep into NiT and keep improving, next year we are going to find our way to the NCAA tournament.
Scouting Report: Watch out for the backdoor screen and cut.
Man, this coaching thing is easy.
Armchair coaching is so appealing! You're always right, but I'd rather stick with Buzz.
Good luck guys. Play hard AND have fun.
anybody got the final bracket with teams for the NIT, google is not doing me wonders
Wikipedia
Man, win that first game and probably half to fly to BYU for game 2. Tough draw.
Gotta root hard for Robert Brown and UAB
Jeez, is Robert Brown still playing? That feels like ages ago he was at VT.
Yeah, it seems like we played against all of our transfers this season (Brown, Smith, JVZ).
What's up with the basketball yeti?
You're asking the important questions around here.
"Are you "frozen" out of the big dance? Well, then we have the tournament for you!!!"
Who's up for ending the season with a 5 game win streak?
This guy
We beat Princeton, UAB beats BYU, Creighton beats St. Bonaventure -> All games at Cassell and the Garden
#wewantbama?
I don't know how to things
I haven't watched Princeton play at all this year, but a quick glance at their roster has me feeling pretty good. They're a very small team, and our worst games have been the ones where LeDay hasn't been able to get going against big men in the paint
So what do we know about Princeton? I'm assuming they'll get after ya?
I know they run the "Princeton offense"... except, they just call it our offense.
Or just "offense"
It's in New Jersey. Sorry, that's all I got.
Fuck Jersey
no downvote, but watch it there, buddy.......
HOKIETOPHER!!! Man you make the day better when I see around!! Glad to see ya!
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Right back at ya, bro-
Which exit?
At first glance I thought Princeton, WV had a hoops team and they were coming to Cassell to play the good guys.
.....I need sleep.
Anyway, go VT. Let's win this NIT thing.
Interesting fact - Princeton, WV and Princeton NJ are both in a county named Mercer. I usually ride in a bicycling event in the NJ version of Princeton and after 100mi my mental condition is such that I'm confused about which state I'm in.
Anyone know when tickets are going to go on sale for this? The link on Hokiesports.com isn't taking me anywhere productive.
According to an email I got, tickets for students will go on sale tomorrow at noon. So I guess you can get them then as well.
Buzz really wants the students to turn out (but only if they don't have class)
I wonder if that is supposed to be 1500 tickets? 150 doesn't seem like much. Greenberg donated 2400 student tickets for the NIT game in 2005 and 3000 for the 2008 NIT.
The tweet Buzz linked to was VT Athletics announcing the first 150 get a free ticket, so he was matching it
The seeding for this tournament is pretty unusual. Princeton currently has an RPI of 38, they end up the 6th seed. BYU RPI is 76 and Tech is 90. That said, looking at Princeton's schedule, I have no idea how their RPI is that high. Their OOC schedule is nearly as dreadful as ours at first glance and while they may not have a loss to Alabama St. they dont appear to have any wins over powerhouse programs either. Essentially they beat all the teams they should have and lost to almost all the teams they should have. Two more wins doesnt seem to show enough for a 60 place swing in RPI. The good news is that Buzz should be able to employ many of the lessons from playing UVA against Princeton albeit with not nearly as efficient an offense.
Their RPI makes so little sense that it should be used as the example for why RPI is worthless. Apparently if you beat teams with RPI > 130 and lose to every team with an RPI < 130 you are in fact the 38th ranked team. Go figure.
The thing about the NIT though is that they like to have big programs on big stages at home. All 3 ACC teams have home games, and the only power-5 team in that doesn't play at home is Alabama, who plays a Big East team (Creighton).
Creighton has a 18,000 seat arena, and the team is the main sports attraction in Omaha outside of the Olympic Swimming trials and the CWS. BYU also has a huge fanbase and a gym to match it. Those are huge stages to play the NIT. I know you're not criticizing Alabama playing on the road, but I just like to point out to everyone how power 5 doesn't really matter when you talk about the SEC. Outside of Kentucky, there's usually only one or two other quality teams. They have the same number of bids to the NCAAs as the A-10. in 2014 the A-10 had 6 and the SEC had 3. The best conferences are the ACC, Big12, B1G, and PAC-12. The SEC is on the next tier with the Big East, AAC, and A-10. They just get more notoriety because they're more recognizable.
Watching OSU-Akron and their stadium is only 1/2 to 2/3 full. I think they NIT should actually trend towards giving the smaller schools home court to showcase their campus/gym/crowd. Akron is the lower seed, but any higher seeds that are mid-majors are gonna have their fans show up for the NIT when a major program like OSU won't.
Chance to be the 69th best team, lets do this. Get after them Buzz!
Amazing how far we have come from last season, isn't it guys? Last year we were just horrendous, now we are one of the most fun teams I have ever watched in Hokie BB. I am very grateful to Buzz for this change, I find it truly one of the best Hokie seasons ever. Whats even nicer, better things to come.
The big picture NIT Brackets
Can anybody find the date/time for the 2nd round games more specific than Mar 17-21? Not wanting to look ahead, but am looking ahead.
It all depends who wins on our part of the bracket/who has the home game/etc. I don't think anyone will know till probably Thursday morning.
It's a good draw. Princeton is solid, but we are way more athletic and playing at home. Should be a 10 point win. BYU and UAB is a toss up game, if Robert Brown's team wins, we get a team we've already beat at home. If not, BYU isn't all that good. Again, we will have a significant athletic advantage.
Then, either a roadie to StBonnie or a home game. Either way, I like our chances.
If I was doing a NIT bracket, I'd have VT in NYC .
(looking ahead because I'm a fan and I can do that)
Looks like any of the top 4 seeds in our semifinal matchup would be a great game to watch and big stage: Valpo, Georgia, St. Mary's (NCAA snub), 2nd rematch with FSU (who NIT "bracketologists" insisted on seeding ahead of us, even after we beat them twice), even Davidson at 5th seed.
I'm showing FSU as a 4 seed, vs us at a 3 seed...
He was referring to the "Bracketologists", meaning everyone was seeding FSU higher than VT in their mock brackets. But you are right, the final bracket had us seeded ahead of FSU.
Oh, gotcha. I was confused by that.
Very happy for this program. I know everybody is saying it but it deserves to be said again. The strides this program has made over the course of this season are unlike any other team that I have ever seen. Thank you Buzz Williams for everything that you have done so far for Virginia Tech basketball. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
I'm looking at purchasing tickets for the game Wednesday through HokieTickets
Does general admission mean first come first serve the night of the game or can someone who has bought through Hokietickets before clarify? Thanks!
Yup, general admission works like a movie theater, except perhaps some select reserved seats for big boosters (or reserved big booster seats for select press members).
The only areas getting roped off are an away section and an area for team members families. Also, if they want to bring their band we have to have an area for that as well which cuts out a portion where the students usually sit.
Just got my tickets, who else is going?
Just got mine. At least one more game at Cassell this year! I thought I was saying goodbye last Saturday, I'm so glad I have one more chance to spend time with the old girl.
I'm in with 4... Methinks the place will be stacked and packed and rowdy... And a lot of people will be tardy to class/work Thursday morning...
It better be stacked and packed and rowdy. Buzz and the team have more than earned it. Hope we start fast and Cassell is loud all night
I got ours.... and this will be my lil man when he finds out.
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Usually you don't need a ticket for your "lil man"...
Well maybe you don't...
Ha.. I should have been more clear. My 9 y/o... it's Mom and lil man date night.
My little man's an idiot
I bought 2 tickets yesterday. I'm currently on my way to have a hemorrhoidectomy. I might not be able to sit, but dammit all I'm gonna be in Cassel for this.
Yer darn right. Don't you have a middle school to extinguish?
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this may help!!
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What ever "this"is?
Bring on the cooling butt spray. And the oxycodone.
While you are setting yourself up (on a doughnut, I suspect) to be the butt of many jokes, and I haven't had your problem meself, I will attest to the complaints of acquaintances who have dealt with your particular ailment. My best wishes for your rapid recovery, and what the hell, you weren't gonna sit down much at the game anyway, given your fandom.