IT'S GAMEDAY! #BeatUVa Cassell 6:30 PM ESPNU pic.twitter.com/X14SsSIGO6— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 12, 2017
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: February 12, 2017 / 6:30 p.m.
Opponent: Virginia
Site: Blacksburg, Virginia (Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
TV/Internet: ESPNU
Talent: Anish Shroff & Cory Alexander
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
XM: XM 81 (Internet 81)
ALL OF THE LIGHTS!Download 'Hokie Lights' in the App Store before tonight's game to join in our light show! #ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/jHMR3faYp2— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 12, 2017
Hokies have to stand up
Buzzketball has a lot on the line tonight in their clash with in state rival Virginia. Defending the home court is going to be essential to making an NCAA tournament run. Its only been 11 days since the Hokies were in Charlottesville being taken apart piece by piece. The 71-48 thrashing hopefully left a fire behind. UVA is trying to keep pace with North Carolina for a shot at the title and might be apt to look over the Hokies this second go round considering UVA has Duke and UNC twice in their next five games. They come in having beaten a shorthanded Louisville squad and having lost to Syracuse on the road. Their only other losses this season have been at the hands of the Cousins, Florida State and Pitt. The Pitt game I chalk up to a hangover after losing to FSU on a three with four seconds left. The Wahoos have wins over Iowa, Ohio State, Cal in their OOC slate and Louisville, Wake Forest, Clemson, Boston College, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame in the ACC.
Finally a home game with some time to recoup their thoughts, sure to be a sellout in Cassell, the Hokies should have a high energy crowd to support their effort to upset UVA. The Hokies need to be ready right out the gate to execute their offense effectively. The Hokies have to be on target tonight, as we all saw how poorly they shot the ball last time out against the Cavaliers.
This will be the One Hundred and Fourty Fifth meeting between the Hokies and Cavaliers. Virginia leads the all-time series 90-54. As mentioned above, UVA won the last meeting 71-48.
The Wahoos are coached by Tony Bennett, who has been at Virginia since 2009. His first season the Cavaliers won 15 games and have progressively added to that each season until having two 30 win seasons back to back these last two years. Bennett has been a great success guiding UVA to four NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight last season. He also guided them to an outright ACC Championship both in regular season and tournament in 2014, while also being the regular season Champ in 2015.
Defensively, UVA uses the Pack Line Defense which is a high pressure, man to man defense that sags to the middle of the court. It is designed to prevent penetration by driving the basketball. The "pack line" is an imaginary line two feet inside the three point line that all defenders not guarding the current ball handler are never supposed to be outside of. The defender that is on the ball handler is expected to be up close, hand in face to create turnovers on the outside. One other critical aspect of this defense that is different than most is that it's designed to deny the baseline. Defenders are taught to position themselves to not allow any baseline penetration, relying on help defense to close down an adjusted drive to the center of the lane. At the top of the post, expect to see defenders attempt to position themselves somewhat in front of the opposing offensive player to prevent the easy pass to the top of the lane.
Offensively, the Cavaliers run what is called a Block Mover Offense on the other end of the court. This is a variation of the Motion Offense, allowing the primary ball handler at the top of the key to attempt to use a screen provided by one of two lane personnel near the top of the key. At the point of the screen, the ball handler decides either to drive the lane, kick out to an open shooter or attempt a down low pass to their second lane player, who usually moves across the basket down at the baseline block to create space for the driving guard. The defensive rotation is what drives the guard's decision making process as he assesses what is in front of him. The guard essentially has three options coming off the pick or can spin back out to reset for another play. The key for the Hokies will be to limit the times where we allow dribble penetration by Perrantes or allow a clean pass into the lower lane player for an easy layup.
What does that mean for the Hokies?
ALL OF THE LIGHTS!Download 'Hokie Lights' in the App Store before tonight's game to join in our light show! #ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/jHMR3faYp2— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 12, 2017
The Hokies are getting an opponent with a very similar offensive approach and in terms of size. Now they must find a way to beat the ACCs top defense. Last time out, the only two Hokies that had any success getting the ball to the basket were Allen and Leday. The rest of the squad was held way below their season totals. Almost all of that was from missed shots rather than turnovers and just the UVA defense being themselves. This game, the Hokies need to crash the ball to the basket much more than they did the last time out. UVA was able to play stellar perimeter defense last time because they didn't need to worry about being the help defense inside.
Get to 60 points on the night still applies. The Cavaliers are a meager 3-5 with their recent loss to Syracuse, who won 66-62. This will require finding open shooters and being able to get to the rim against the UVA bigs. One critical aspect to this game could be how often the Hokies are able to get to the free throw line. Last time out the Hokies managed to get to the line 20 times, putting in 15. It was their most successful method of scoring on the court all night. UVA bigs are not as athletic as some of the other competition so they are more apt to reach and foul rather than be able to block or disrupt shots.
The Hokies need to make an honest effort to limit points off turnovers and second chance points. They gave up 13 off turnovers and 18 second chance points in the previous game. The Hokies only created 8 points off turnovers and had 3 second chance points.
'
Cavaliers Backcourt
London Perrantes (#32) 6'2, 197 Lbs Senior Guard is averaging 12.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 4 APG. He is shooting 41% from behind the arc and 45% overall. London is their do everything guy this season. He is definitely their top defender and should be matched up with Seth Allen most of the evening.
Marial Shayok, (#4) 6'5, 196 Junior Guard comes in averaging 9.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.1 APG and 1 SPG. He is shooting 32% from outside and at the free throw line, shooting 77%. He is better known for his quick first step and ability to drive inside. So far on the season he is shooting better than 46% inside the arc. He has not had the best couple of games as all of his numbers are down compared to the last matchup.
Devon Hall, (#0) 6'5, 207 lbs Junior Guard is averaging 8.5 PPG and 4.4 RPG but in the last matchup he put up 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. His shot outside the arc is going in at about 40% while inside the arc it drops in at to 45%. He is a terrific free throw shooter as well, hitting from the line at an 80% clip. Hall will likely be defending one of the baseline corners for most of this game.
Kyle Guy, (#5) 6'3, 165 Lbs Freshman Guard is averaging 7.6 PPG 1.5 RPG and 1.2 APG in a backup role across 17 minutes per game. So far this season he is shooting 46% from the field, 48% from behind the arc and 78% from the line. Considering how well he scores, he could see extended minutes this evening which will make for a wonderful competition tonight.
Darius Thompson, (#51), 6'4, 196 Lbs, Junior Guard is averaging 6.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1 SPG. This is Thompson's second season with the Wahoos since transferring from Tennessee. He has gradually improved across almost every aspect of his game this season, and will likely take over from Perrantes next season.
Cavaliers Frontcourt
Isaiah Wilkins, (#21), 6'7, 225 Lbs Junior Forward was the wild card in our first matchup. He is averaging 7.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 1.6 APG. Wilkins's interior scoring is at 52% and perimeter scoring is at 57% on very limited attempts but in the game against the Hokies, Wilkins scored 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Just to round things out, he shoots just under 74% from the free throw line as well. Wilkins is the primary big operating the center of the UVA offense. This is the Step Son of Dominique "The Human Highlight Film" Wilkins.
Jarred Reuter, (#31) 6'7, 243 Lbs Sophomore Forward, Mamadi Diakite, (#25) 6'9, 214 Lbs, and Jack Salt, (#33) 6'11, 247 Lbs Sophomore Center combine to provide one more spot on the floor for the Cavaliers while also backing up Wilkins when needed. They combine for 13.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.4 APG and 2 BPG.
Names the Announcers will Butcher
Newest Candidate is Kyle ManBun Guy.
What to expect from Virginia?
The Cavaliers rely mostly on their defense to limit opposing teams scoring, as we touched on, they have only allowed opponents above 60 points in eight games this season. Those are the games they struggle in though.
Expect the Cavaliers to cause early turnovers by confusing the Hokies in terms of passing lanes and where the defense is coming from on the floor. UVA is excellent at back side help to keep the ball out of the basket.
Rebounding is also a huge key to Virginia's success this season. They slow the game down so much that they give up the 3rd fewest rebounds on the offensive glass and 4th fewest overall. Opponents average only about 20 rebounds per game against UVA. This doesn't translate to the Wahoos getting a ton of rebounds though as they are above 328 in offensive and total rebounds as a team.
They usually don't shoot often from outside but when they do, they have the best shooting percentage in the ACC from outside at 43%. Seems like a recipe for disaster waiting to happen.
Perrantes drives the train, so if he isn't having a top performance than UVA is going to struggle.
UVA is allowing the fewest points per game this season at 53.7 on the fourth fewest shot attempts by an opponent in the nation. Such is the result when you have total team buy in to the style of defense that Tony Bennett utilizes. This is the epitome of selfless basketball, because many of these players in someone else' system would be putting up dramatically better numbers.
The Hokies
Tech needs to go fast again in this game. The standing around on offense has to stop or they will really struggle to find open shots against the Wahoo defense. This isn't a team the Hokies are likely to get tired since they utilize so many guards so being able to beat them down the court as often as possible is critical to their success.
Collectively the Hokies need to be able to step into three pointers to keep this defense spread out. If they are unable to do so it allows the Wahoos to do exactly what they want which is to pack the lane and make scoring down low that much harder. This is a case of team performance more so than any one shooter.
Score, just score, get to 60. Keep yourself in the game Hokies by hitting your shots like you have all season.
Highlight of the Miami Game
The Justin Robinson Technical Foul
In Closing
Whoever wins the pace battle of this contest likely wins the game. If UVA is able to slow things down and keep the score really low than the game plays to their strengths. If the Hokies can speed it up and keep Virginia off balance a bit than the Hokies stand a good chance of winning this contest.
Don't expect to get to the line but don't stop driving inside to add to the offense. UVA does not foul much so the Hokies must count on playing stellar defense to balance out this game. A telling factor to this game will be if either team can managed a significant difference in made free throws.
This is a lot closer to an absolute must win than the last matchup was. Two conference losses in a row has a big impact on that. This is a home game and they need to defend it. It still wouldn't hurt the Hokies to win to keep UVA off the top of the pedestal.
Hokies win 69-65 at the end of the game, leaving UVA looking up at the top of the ACC and a great rival win under their belts.
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Comments
Showing pep and life for which we're trying
Need Seth Allen to step up big if we're going to win. I think him vs Perrentes is the biggest matchup of the game
I think the key is Med and Bibbs need to make shots. And everyone needs to wait for good shots.
Why is Matt Ryan more hated in 2017 than London Perrentes???
Hugely under-rated comment. "Fuck Perentes" does not to begin to describe how much I want Perentes to bomb out of the European Leagues before having a non-debilitating career ending injury. But:
Fuck Perentes.
I wonder how many times Leday will get blocked before he passes it to one of the open shooters.
He will never kick the ball out. He's been doing it all season.
We know who you are rooting for Cory
Shut up
Feel like I'm watching Seth's defense all over again.
This team is just worn out, they are not dancing this year
Boy am I glad they're starting to fall at the right time.
CARRY THIS TEAM ON YOUR BACK SETH ALLEN!!!
PUT THE TEAM ON HIS BACK DOE!
TKP poll: who would you rather jump in a dark alley with a pair of hair clippers, Guy or Perrantes?
Parrantes by far. He just looks like that Napoleon Complex kid from sophomore year of high school that needs his ass kicked.
I think we're getting the Seth Allen game we've all been waiting for.
But he needs some help.
But you see, we just talked about how virginia is the most legendary and prestigious university of basketball ever, we just talked about that Anish, how could you not remember?
/s
I hate Cory Alexander
Back to playing absolutely zero defense.
I'm not saying Buzz should be fired or anything, but I think he deserves some criticism. This team has been a complete embarrassment in ACC play outside of the Duke game. Routinely looks unprepared and fucks up fundamental things WAY too much for a team made mostly of upperclassmen who have been together a few years.
I'm glad we're at a point where we can be disappointed instead of just saying shucks and taking the L's, but I think we're past the point of saying this team is going to get things together later in the season.
Who was that Johnson guy we had before? What was his record?
Edit: never mind
My biggest criticism is the lack of a big man. I know we're missing Blackshear, but we have to have more than him. We have quality guards all over the place, but no big men. I don't know if he struggles to recruit them because of his system or if he feels like he doesn't need them, but we're hurting underneath.
And Satch is sitting on his butt every game here in State College
We are never going to be a big team. Buzz values small ball and prefers that style of play. My problem isn't that we are small. It's how lost we look on defense. Kids are just blowing by our defenders for free runs at the basket with no help coming. We leave shooters wide open when we play zone. I don't understand why we can't put 2 and 2 together on that side of the court.
Our guys are more aligned to play man to man but Buzz uses the zone to protect how short his bench is since zone typically slows the number of fouls
You have to remember that 1) Buzz prefers long athletic shooters over lumbering bigs 2) Buzz is working with only 2/3rds of a roster. You have Blackshear out for the season which was unexpected. You also have Johnny Hamilton out for the year due to injury and Nick Fullard has to sit out due to transfer rules. That's two bigs that Buzz expected to have that aren't out there. As we have seen tonight Sy is a complete liability down low, with two huge turnovers late in the half. We have a 6'8 kid signed in 2017, and a 6'10 commit in 2019.
Wait, we do? I see BJ Mack for
20182019 (he's 6-8 260 now) Whose the 6-8 2018?I have seen several reports that PJ Horne is somewhere between 6'7 and 6'8 so that will definitely be 6'8 by the time he gets here as part of the 2017 class. 2018 is yet to be seen as Buzz only has a shooting guard commit for that class.
Dying at the FT line right now.
Well that 13-0 run by the bad guys was a kick in the nuts
Last four minutes: four turnovers, missed lay up, missed 3 point shot, 2 missed FT.
Poor shooting with no attempts to get rebounds combined with turnovers makes for ugly games. Shooting 35% and have 9 turnovers so far. Oh and UVA is shooting 55% from outside.
13-0 run heading to the half, at home.
As someone said above, this team just is not ready to compete in this league.
FTFY.
People like to make fun of UVA's offense, but they find a way to get guys open. I do think Tech will play better in the 2nd half.
In other news, Adele has already won 2 Grammys tonight. I expect her to win a couple more later.
Guys I hate to single out one player but Sy drives me crazy. He doesn't play like a big man. Really needs to get some size becaus he bobbled away so many passes and rebounds and doesn't go to the hoop strong. Le day hasn't looked great first half but Sy has made me really frustrated. I hope he can pick up some consistency in the 2nd half.
For the love of all things good and holy, can we please keep this pressure on their bigs? 2 fouls each by Wilkins and salt in the past, what, 1:30?
I haven't been watching, but I just checked the score.
Ouch.
Down goes the blazer! Down goes the blazer!
Oh no
nonononononono
Oh god no. Oh god please no
no, no, no, No, No, NO NO NOOOOOOOOOO
The no weight on the leg, that's good right?
From down 2 to 7 thanks to Allen run at the lane and throw up ball play.
Don't understand basketball positions at all, but why is Bibbs in and not Sy?
That's why
Please roast me for all eternity
Please do
Just please
lol
Gotta make FTs from here on out.
how he made that...I'll never know. wow
Were not Penn State!!!
Shoulda been another and 1. Salt should be sitting on the bench. Granted, we have been getting some serious home cooking this half. And it tastes so good.
Current status:
come on boys, finish strong
Happy to see Chris Clarke on his feet in the huddle.
Ruh Roh
damn
Overtime worries the hell out of me right now without LeDay.
Win or lose we'll greet you with a glad returning
Mood:
ugh, ice cold man
Now I've seen everything.
lol, unreal
double OT
Damn. I wanted Seth to take it, but we didn't need a 3 to win.
yeah...i was thinking drive, and try to draw a foul
Hope everyone ate their Wheaties today.
WHY A THREE!!
Was the 3 the plan??
I'm going to need Seth Allen to make a shot at some point soon....
Was that shot enough?
Certainly makes up for the missed ones that's for sure
Remember that God is a Hokie. The hand of the almighty kept the ball on the rim
I give up on these shots.
We're going to run out of bodies soon...
my heart can't take this
Cry more Guy.
NOW THATS A GD PLAY TO WIN IT.
FAMMMMMMMMMM
That was the most inspired 3/4ths of a game I've ever watched.
HOW GOOD DOES IT FEEL
Wa-who?
FAM!
I LOVE EVERYBODY IN THIS BAR
SUCK A DICK UVA
Wonderful and magical things happen in Blacksburg.
Let me just say...
WOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Only an engineering school would have an organized rush the court. Stay inside the cheerleaders.
Stay inside the cheerleaders.
Good rule of thumb.
This was the rule I lived by during my 4 years in the Burg.
Lucky you. The cheerleaders were not so much the lookers during my time in Bburg. 05-09, not the best of times for VT cheerleaders
are we not doing "phrasing" anymore?
Gives some guys a chance to talk to one of them
YUGE
That's the toughness that we saw from this team last year. Down two extremely important players but push through and find a way to win the game. So awesome.
Buzz is absolutely nailing things in the post game interview.
Talking about how year 2 and this year's OOC threw off expectations, and how our 8 man rotation has had us living on the margins this season. Planning for sustainable growth by redshirting guys this year.
Everyone please read the above. Remember what a train wreck he inherited in the best league in the country and that this year 2 2/3
Don't just take it from me.
That final bucket gave Allen his first 20 point performance in the ACC this year. Couldn't have come at a better time.
It was huge I thought with leday and Clarke out we were done those other guys showed huge heart tonight
My favorite Cory Alexander line of the game: London goes up for a shot, Cory says "he makes a good decision there, because he knows he's either going to make the shot or miss it".
Anish had a good one second pause...
To be fair, parentes showed later that there is a third option...