Watching the BC game with some fellow alumni Saturday afternoon got me thinking that as long as Buzz can get his visions across to his players, this team can play with just about anybody in the Nation let alone the Atlantic Coast Conference. Even though BC is more a "Perennial Cellar ACC Team" this team has shown that even without its most dynamic player in Chris Clarke it can win games even when they don't come out on the tip ready to play.
Buzz seems to instill values and toughness into his teams that almost seems "Football-esque"; these values and tough natures allow them to scratch and claw on the defensive end. This seems to show up more when they're not making shots or when they are going through their occasional turnover spells, which is almost expected from 18-22 year olds. This mentality has been on full display the past month and in my honest but limited basketball opinion since the beginning of the year.
Yes, the players are all a year older and Ahmed Hill is back, but the big question coming into the year was do they have enough size in the frontcourt, then Kerry Blackshear goes out for the year; my thinking is they are doomed once they get to ACC play but with Coach Buzz's visions and tutelage they almost play without a TRUE low post presence sometimes. This is why I feel Coach Buzz is almost a hire sent from god(hahaha) because he fits the TRUE mold and mentality of Virginia Tech over the years.
Sorry got a little ranty and was typing this while watching the Cavs vs Bulls game but would love to hear some feedback. This is a tournament bound team if they dont screw things up down the finish line!
Comments
This team is almost guaranteed a tourney spot, it's just a matter of the seed at this point.
I thought that a few times under Uncle Festor, don't count your chickens...
Those Greenberg teams were saddled with BAD losses each of those snub years. We don't have that problem this year, and as such we are on great positioning to make the field this year.
Agreed! But you can never be so sure with The Selection Committee. Hoping for a strong finish at this point.
Have heard that before...
Something that I had always been insisting on since Buzz was hired that by year 3, we would be in the tournament. Most people thought I was crazy, but I stuck by it.
You're right. Buzz has a way to get through to the kids, and I think that's huge in keeping their heads up when it gets tough.
The fact that we are going to be in the tournament in year 3, with how this program was given to Buzz, is insane. We've reached 20 wins before the end of February, just two seasons after finishing 11-22 overall. We have a chance at entering March Madness with 23 or 24 wins. And if we get to 24 wins, we could be as high as a 6 seed in the tournament. Unreal.
Now take what we've done this year, especially the last couple games with Chris Clarke, and just think about what we will have next year. Yes, we will lose Seth and Zach. But what we're gaining is more than enough to replace the talent level. Will it replace the leadership? Not sure yet. But we should have complete trust in Buzz to find that leadership and bring it out from someone.
Basketball is back in Blacksburg. We're coming for you 'Hoos.
Thanks...yeah I never really doubted that Coach Buzz would be able to bring the team back from the depths but this soon is amazing.
It is astounding to think he could bring a program with little tradition, total dumpster fire, to where it is in three years at a time when everyone in the league (save PITT and BC) is dramatically improving their program as well. So he's had to improve us infinitely to just catch up and match the others as they improve, then in this season, pass them. Amazing. Not even talking about the injury issues he's overcome.
Buzz Williams is nothing short of a basketball genius. He takes what he has and makes the absolute most out of it. I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking this team would take a major step back after losing Clarke. Instead, Buzz has put three-point shooters all over the floor, and, whether it's a product of X's and O's by Buzz or players just knowing how to get open, they are all getting good looks. We are not a worse team without Clarke; we are just a different team. We don't rebound as well, but we shoot the lights out. Obviously this kind of shooting won't happen every night from here on out, but I trust Buzz to always put these guys in positions to succeed.
Never, ever, EVER coast to the finish line.
If you think Buzz will allow this team to coast, you don't know Buzz
I have great faith in Buzz, but in almost every postgame interview I've seen he has said that it is the team's guts, not his, that is propelling them. Coaches can't make the journey for them, just show them where the path is.
I have no doubt these guys want to dance, but it's hard to keep the gas down when you're almost there.
I've been on the positive side of one of those situations; I "suck" most of the race, and therefore have enough for a pretty good sprint at the end. Picked up several spots that way.
my coach always called that being terrible at pacing. Whatever man, I'd just stick behind someone I thought I could keep up with the whole race and then sprint the last 100 and see how much I could make up on the leader. This is what happens when you let a soccer player on the track team.
34 B's beat 32 A's??
It's great seeing the team grow each year. Knowing they can compete,
getting to cheer for another Tech team is a cool thing.
if you shoot 67% you are going to be in the game against just about anyone. Rebounding seemed much better against BC, but they also aren't one of the bigger teams in the league themselves.
on top of not being the biggest team, their bigs were on the bench a large portion of the game due to foul trouble. Arguably their top big, Nik Popovic, fouled out with almost eight minutes to go in the game. I believe three of his five fouls were on the offensive end of the floor.
Last 5 Games:
Outlaw shooting 68% from 3! Bibbs shooting 55% from 3! Hill averaging 12 pts while shooting 59% from the field! J-Rob averaging 7.4 Ast per game! LeDay averaging 15 and 8 while shooting 89% from the stripe! And Seth Allen doing Seth Allen things!
Hopefully this is where the Buzz's boot camp conditioning pays off, and these guys can keep it rolling well into the post-season.
Buzz has been doing great things! Such a fun team to watch. They play so hard, so tough, and just plain fun to see!
Boot camp or not, those %'s can't be maintained.
It would be really nice if we played some defense to make up for it.
Bibbs has been shooting under career averages so if you believe that everything moves to the mean and ball don't lie then he'll probably keep up at that pace
Yes, I agree. But one can hope/dream.
The thing is, it isn't just about %'s, defense, and conditioning. Buzz makes everything they do about mini-competitions and winning. This team has really adopted that mind-set. They seem to have gotten really good at understanding how to win the small battles within the larger game, possession by possession, minute by minute. This has helped them win some close games.
At some point foul trouble will rear its ugly head, but until it does, we have a good chance to stay in and win any game against any team.
Sy's percentage would be higher if he dunks that ball at the end, rather than miss the layup, LOL. Good thing it didn't matter in the outcome of the game.
Overall, we gotta clean up the sloppy play. We can't turn the ball over 19 times against better competition and expect to come away with a win.
And after this week, only the wins matter.
12 of the 19 turnovers belonged to Leday and Allen. Cant have two seniors do that ever.
That was maddening. Seemed like the majority of them were unforced too
i have 2 tickets to tonites game but they are seperate, anyone wanna trade for 2 together?
If VT wants to make noise in postseason, they have to seriously reduce turnovers, improve rebounding, and especially improve their on-ball defense. It's just to easy for the opposition guards to get by and cause mismatches. Of course, Buzz knows all this, it's just whether or not the remaining parts of this team, after all the injuries, can be that committed. Tonight would be a great start.