#BeatPITT pic.twitter.com/GNxM8DGmLW— Hokies Basketball 🦃 (@Hokie_Hoops) January 6, 2018
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Jan. 6, 2018 / Noon
Opponent: University of Pittsburgh
Site: Blacksburg, Virginia (Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser and Mike Burnop
TV: ACC Network
Talent: Tim Brando & Mike Gminski
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
SIRI 119 (Internet 962)
LETS GO. #Hokies🦃#BeatUVA pic.twitter.com/OCWeHa1GKd— Hokies Basketball 🦃 (@Hokie_Hoops) January 4, 2018
Another Nooner
For those of you that were with us til the super ridiculous end, welcome to another day in the ACC!! The Hokies are home again after starting out their ACC campaign with two ugly losses. It's not that they lost but how totally uninspired their play was in a rivalry game at home. All of that aside, these Hokies need to find a way to focus and come away with a win against a team that could arguably be the worst in the ACC this season.
The Pitt Panthers come in having also lost their first two ACC contests to #15 Miami by 14 and Louisville by 26. They have struggled to an 8-7 record so far, opening the season with losses to Navy and Montana. They then managed a win against UC Santa Barbara before losing two more in a row to Penn State and Oklahoma State. After those two losses they managed to string together four wins in a row against Lehigh, High Point, Duquesne, and Mt St Mary's in OT. . Their next loss came against #18 West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. They closed out their OOC schedule with three wins over McNeese, Delaware State, and Towson. This is a team struggling to find any success against a major opponent. Pitt leads the all-time series 7-6 but Tech is surprisingly 4-1 against the Panthers inside Cassell.
The Panthers are coached by Kevin Stallings, who has a 472-304 record as a head coach. He is 24-24 as the coach at Pitt. Prior to Pitt he spent 17 seasons as the Head Coach at Vanderbilt and was Head Coach at Illinois State prior to that. This second season for Stallings is not going well so he is likely on the hot seat as this season progresses. That said, he has been missing a key piece of his team for several games and probably has the youngest line up of any team in the ACC, with seven freshmen on the roster and five of those seeing significant minutes.
Stallings defensively subscribes his defense to a ten point process, starting with stop all penetrations, then keep the ball out of the post. His players are expected to eliminate all dumb and lazy fouls but not allow any uncontested shots. He does have his team focus on boxing out, get the rebound and finish the play. He expects defenders to have High hands on all closeouts and jump to the ball on every ball movement. They are expected to get into the gaps- show the dribbler that they cannot come here. The slower the defender the closer to the ball they need to be so they can help and recover- try to eliminate the help part of help and recover by getting far enough into the gap that the dribbler should not want to go there, but if they do, the defender should not have to move to help, he should already be there. The defender should only have to move in one direction and that is to recover, as he should not have to move to help by playing proper position. Last, the Panthers should not allow the offense to feed the post from above the foul line.
Stallings sets four goals for his team on defense for every game.
Team defensive goals
1. Less than 16 team fouls
2. Allow less than 10 offensive rebounds
3. Have a +5 rebounding margin
4. Allow less than 40% shooting
Similarly on offense, the Panthers have a standard set of requirements to follow. Proper shot distribution or allocation should allow them to get quality shots. They are expected to limit turnovers, bad passes and fumbling of the ball. Stallings expects his team to follow the 3 pass rule except for layups and green light shooters. It is critical that they work hard on proper spacing and setting screens with their back to the basket. The Panthers are expect to be constantly on the move, cutting across the lane to make it difficult for them to guard.
Post players are to be able to use the Swiveling technique so that they maintain contact with the defensive player while using their body to screen the ball and get to the basket. Perimeter shooters should get low, show their hands and be ready to step into the shot. Ultimately their team goal is to get the ball to the players with the best chance to score. Stallings is another coach that ascribes to a Zone offense and expects his teams to be ready with both a set and a freelance offense depending on the opponents defensive posture.
What does that mean for the Hokies?
The Hokies need to find their confidence. If they are going to do it, than this is about the best opponent in the
ACC that they could be facing. This Pitt team is allowing opponents to take 8 more shots per contest.
The Hokies are going to have to find a way to deal with another bigger opponent, as Pitt regularly rotates three bigs across two spots but they are being outrebounded, especially in conference play. Finding those extra possessions or preventing Pitt from getting a second chance could be a critical aspect of this contest.
A focus, an identity, something that resembles effort and desire. It has just been a downward slope since this team lost to Kentucky. It is really surprising that a Buzz led team seems to have lost its swagger, but perhaps that has to do with the change in the attitude of the coach as much as the players. There is a significant difference in his approach this season. The hair, the clothing, the lack of movement on the sideline. When was the last time we saw Buzz bounce?
Panthers Backcourt
Jared Wilson-Frame, #0, 6'5, 220 lbs Junior is leading the Panther's attack from the perimeter. He is a transfer from Towson. He is putting up 12.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.1 APG. He is taking almost seven perimeter shots and is only making them at 29% but this is the Hokies and this is the guy that have "best games of their season" against the Hokies. He shoots 76% from the free throw line. The struggles at the free throw line is a team trend.
Freshman Marcus Carr, #5, 6'1, 185 lbs is averaging 10.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 4 APG while shooting almost 48% from the inside, 46% from outside and 91% from the line as well. Expect to see Carr running the show even though he is a freshman. He will be familiar to at least one Hokie, as he and Alexander-Walker regularly faced off in Canada.
Freshman Shamiel Stevenson, #23, 6'6, 230 Lbs, is another Canadian as Pitt was busy recruiting above the border. He comes in averaging 10.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, and 1.2 SPG. Stevenson is the Clarke of the Panthers, spending more time inside than most other guards, using his big body to help in rebounding, while also shooting 58% inside. His perimeter shots are only going in 30% of the time and his free throw shooting is a 65% affair.
Freshman Parker Stewart, #1, 6'5, 190 Lbs, is the only starter not in double figures, averaging 7.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 1 APG. Parker, much like Stevenson, is finding his success inside rather than the perimeter, shooting 47% inside while managing 33% from the perimeter. He does hit 81% of this free throws.
Senior Jonathan Milligan, #2, 6'2, 170 Lbs is averaging 6.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG, and 1.7 APG. He is the defensive grit and usually is focused on the opponent's primary ball handler. He is shooting 63% inside but only 23% outside. He is hitting 76% of his free throws.
Panthers Frontcourt
Senior Ryan Luther, #4, 6'9, 215 Lbs is leading the team in scoring while averaging a double-double at 12.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, and 1.6 SPG while shooting 48% from inside, 39% from the perimeter but only 65% from the line. The entire offense for the Panther's revolves around Luther this season. Now the good news for the Hokies, Luther isn't able to play as he will miss his sixth consecutive game, which explains much of their struggles against their first two ACC opponents.
In his absence, the Panther's rely on a combination of two bigs. The first is Freshman Terrell Brown #21, 6'10, 240 Lbs. He is averaging 2.8 PPG and 2.3 RPG while shooting 55% from inside and 53% from the line.
The second is Sophomore Kene Chukwuka, #15, 6'9, 215 Lbs, who is averaging 2.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1 APG while shooting 80% inside and a mind boggling 29% from the line.
What to expect from the Panthers?
This is a team that is still very much in flux, especially with the injury to Ryan Luther. They are regularly playing five freshmen, so performance varies very much from game to game. The playing time and statistics reflect this turmoil as well.
Even as Pitt struggles, the Panthers should not be regarded lightly, especially on the defensive end. They rarely foul and hold opponents to 33% shooting from the perimeter and 46% inside.
Pitt does struggle to create turnovers but the Hokies seem to find a way to make every team seem good at it. So far this season they are only managing to force 11 turnovers per contest.
Pitt has struggled from the perimeter all season, shooting only 33% but even more so since reaching the ACC slate, where they have only managed 22% the last two contests.
The Hokies
The Hokies just need to find a way to score consistently in this contest. Inside, outside, from the line, it doesn't matter, just find a way to get the ball through the rim. With the absence of Luther, Blackshear should be able to excel against the inexperienced bigs that remain. It should be a double-double type game for Kerry.
The Hokies need to be prepared to face a multitude of defensive fronts. It would not be at all a surprise to see Stallings send his squad out to play a slow, methodical 2-3 zone considering the Hokies struggles the last month.
Highlight of the Virginia Game
It ended
In Closing
The Hokies don't need to be pretty, but they must be effective to win this contest. This is a major pivot point in the season. If they are not able to pull themselves together to win this contest at home against a team missing its biggest star and struggling to find an identity than the next few contests could be ugly. Two road games followed by two ranked opponents.
Hokies win 78-65
Around the ACC
Florida State upset North Carolina 81-80
Georgia Tech surprised Miami 64-54
Clemson beat Boston College 74-70
Wake Forest beat Syracuse 73-67
Notre Dame crushed NC State 88-58
Records:
Duke, Clemson and UVA are 13-1
Miami and Florida State are 12-2
UNC, Notre Dame and Syracuse are 12-3
Louisville is 11-3
Virginia Tech is 11-4
Boston College and NC State are 10-5
Pitt is 8-7
Wake Forest is 8-6
Georgia Tech is 7-7
Comments
I hate using this phrase but this game feels like a must win as far as Tourney hopes go.
It is. No argument.
If you look at the schedule it absolutely is. I touch on it, but their next four games are two road contests against Wake and Louisville, and then home against Florida State and North Carolina. Lose today and they could easily be looking at an 0-7 start to ACC play.
Is it not on TV again, you gotta be kidding me
Fortunately, the ACCextra channel on Sling is actually picking it up for me.
Where are you watching from that it isn't on TV?
NC
Are you able to see it on WatchESPN? The WatchESPN/ACCNE stream was blacked out for me.
You should have it on a local channel that carries ACC games. We're getting it in NOVA on FOX5Plus which used to be MY20. If it's not on that it would be on a regional sports cable station if your cable package has those sports stations. All ACC conference games should be televised regionally.
Only if the poster lives in Wilmington NC. Otherwise, going to have to stream.
http://theacc.com/sports/2017/12/9/acc-network-mbb-180106b.aspx
Watching online... very little offensive cohesiveness early in this one.
We are going to give up a record number of 3's to Pitt today.
Huge fan of Blackshear, if he could control his fouls he could be a real force.
Coach needs to get through to NAW that he isn't the best player on the court and to play team ball
Amazing KJ's only a r-sophomore
Can someone explain the non-foul for using your off arm as a lead when driving?
College basketball officials have a little known directive from the NCAA that when a foul occurs, they very quickly flip a coin and only call it if the result is heads. It is supposed to "drive viewer engagement" with the game.
Only called in the UK game
Pitt looking like UVA making 3s in this game
Does anyone else feel like Chris Clarke makes our team simultaneously better and worse?
Him and Robinson for some stretches. But Clarke is the most frustrating one for sure.
Playing decent today. Missed a lot of open shots so far and need to get bigger on the boards.
What a pass to end the half! Great way to go into the locker room.
Yup, great transition bucket with guys running the floor and awareness of time.
NAW played great after my last comment insulting him.
Bibbs having a really rough day. (lets hope he steps it up too)
We should be beating this team by 15 at the half and 30 by the end of the game. Bibbs is playing poorly, NAW is forcing things, and Clarke isn't playing to his potential (though he had an excellent pass to Hill). Blackshear is unbelievable. Every time he plays I just keep going "He's so good!" Feed the man the ball and let him work, their freshies can't stop him.
And can someone tell Brando it's AhmEd not AhmAd. It's been three years, it's not that hard of a name to pronounce.
Listening to K is maddening.
This team needs to blow Pitt out of the building today. So far that's not happening. Need to jump to a big run at the start of the second half.
WTH 3 minutes into the second half and ESPN is not showing the game.
I've had about 12 minutes straight of ads but twitter tells me we are about 5 minutes in
Buzz needs to lose the vest, very UVAish
Because it's the vests fault if we lose right? /s
Thanks for that comment. That vest is blatantly uva-ish. Our coach shouldn't be wearing blue and orange ever anywhere, but most certainly not at one of our games. Poor fashion choice, Buzz.
KJ saving the day. everyone else meh. Three Hokies go up against one Panther for rebound and Panther gets it and leads to second chance three pointer
Another Panther 3...
3 of 15 from behind the arc versus 10 of 16
Pitt from floor and arc at almost 60%.
Terrible call on Blackshear
Where is the foul on the other end
The coin didn't land on heads.
Power dunk by KJ!
Need to take the ball inside since the perimeter shots arent falling. Hate to think what the score of this one would be if Luther wasnt injured
I have to be completely honest:
I am having trouble concentrating on the game, because I cannot take my eyes off Buzz's vest.
Utterly resplendent.
EDIT: after further review, you've got it right. Love that he's rocking the orange, but not with the navy blue.
Excellent edit. Leg for your recovery.
Stop learnin', stop livin'
maybe he lost a bet with Bennett
Funny. That is exactly what I told my wife was the only reason I could exuse for him wearing it.
Completely ridiculous how open we keep leaving them outside
Wish Buzz would employ more full court defense with the troubles Pitt has had hanging onto the ball
Was just thinking the same
The half court trap would be really effective I think. We have the long armed athletes you need to pull that off.
Think I might be able to hit more threes blindfolded than the Hokies 3 for 21
I just don't understand it. It's not like they were all bad shots. Never seen a whole team go this cold over a multi game stretch.
It's unbelievable how cold we are from 3.
Of course Blackshear has two of their four makes from outside
What a way to close it out. Hope we play with this kind of confidence in these next road games
Well they wont lose all their ACC games this season now
Hey now, lpeter, if they can take care of the ball like today and make 40% of threes instead of 18% we can win at least half our ACC games.
The books may not look that pretty, but that's a much needed W. Good win Hokies!
only 6 turnovers! good things happen when you take care of the ball
Surprised by Blackshears lack of rebounds in this one, especially with 31 points
Our ice cold 3-point shooting masked how well the offense moved the ball today. If both teams shot at their season average from the 3-point line, we would've won by 44 points.
Hey, we won. I will take the wins we can get. Need to work on that 3pt shooting and then we can take anybody.
Quick take:
- KB24 is a beast. Most important player on this team by far. Hard to imagine he's just a (r)So.
- Bibbs had a rough game. Nothing he shot fell. Hopefully next game he heats back up.
- We took much better care of the ball today. Good to see that.
- For large stretches, it seemed to me as if the team had no fire. Admittedly, it's hard to get pumped up with a sparse crowd that was basically nonexistent, but they just aren't displaying the same hustle and heart they showed early.
- NAW needs to settle down and not try to force things. He looked like a frosh for much of the game today, but did make some good plays.
In ACC play a dub is a dub. This stretch ahead of us is soooo crucial. Hoping we can go at least 2-2 over this 4 game haul, but it'll be tough. A good test of heart for this team.
Someone said on this board that Pitt was awful. I actually watched most of this game and other than Blackshear.....meh.
Pitt is a very young team without their senior leader so some games they are awful and others they gel and play lights out. They are playing five freshmen significant minutes so an example of awful was losing to Louisville by 26. Also, as pointed out above, if Tech would have hit even a normal amount of the wide open looks they had from outside than this game would have been a thirty to forty point blowout. Pitt is pretty bad and unfortunately that indicates more about where we are as a team more than Pitt. I was about right on in terms of score and spread but it was still an ugly win but any win in the ACC is important because there is no telling when the next one will come along, especially looking at the looming schedule.
The good news is that, even on a godawful shooting day, we still dropped 81 points. Teams that find ways to win when their gameplan isn't working are usually playing in the postseason. There are reasons to be optimistic!