IT'S GAMEDAY!!🏀 #BeatBama | #HereWeCome 📍 PPG Paints Arena🕘 9:20 PM📺 TNT pic.twitter.com/ae0sZ0Fb8V— Virginia Tech Basketball (@HokiesMBB) March 15, 2018
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: March 15, 2018 / 9:20 p.m.
Opponent: University of Alabama
Site: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PPG Paints Arena)
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
Radio: Westwood One
Talent: Scott Graham & Kelly Tripucka
TV: TNT
Talent: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner & Dana Jacobson
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
SIRI 137 (Internet 962)
#HereWeCome🦃🏀 pic.twitter.com/0IcYWFx0rO— Virginia Tech Basketball (@HokiesMBB) March 13, 2018
A Look in the SEC Mirror
Buzzketball hosts Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Pittsburgh, PA tonight. The Hokies need to take a look into their SEC mirror and be the better team. Alabama comes in having suffered from many of the same deficiencies as the Hokies this season. The Crimson Tide are more reliant on freshman talent than the Hokies but many of their bad losses came not because of talent but mainly from lack of cohesive effort.
Alabama comes in having lost six of their final eight games but they did manage to make it to the semifinals of the SEC tournament before losing to Kentucky. The series against Alabama started back in 1928 but this is the first time the Hokies will have met the Crimson Tide on the court since 1989. Alabama this season have key losses to Minnesota, Arizona and Texas but then a bad loss to UCF. In conference, they managed to pull off a couple of upsets, including Auburn twice, Texas A&M, and a winning Oklahoma team. Then there are the head scratching losses to Mississippi and Missouri.
The Crimson Tide are coached by Avery Johnson, in his third year at the helm of Alabama. In three years, his team has yet to win 20 games in a season. This is the first time that he has led them to the NCAA Tournament, with two previous post season losses in the first round of the NIT. Johnson is 56-45 at Alabama and 310-231 as a head coach between college and the NBA. This is the fifteenth time that the Hokies will face Alabama on the court, with Alabama leading the series 9-5. Tech last faced Alabama at home in 1989, with a victory 76-75. The Hokies have faced Alabama twice before in post season play. The first was a Hokies victory in the 1973 NIT while the other was a loss in the 1977 NIT.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide use an attacking man to man pressure defense. They are very aggressive and take risks to force turnovers and keep offenses off balance. Johnson will have his team use the entire floor to play defense, using up shot clock and forcing the offense to use energy throughout its possession rather than just setting up in the half court. The weakness, which works in Tech's favor is it makes the team susceptible to transition baskets so expect to see the Hokies push the pace in the opposite direction to prevent Alabama from being able to set up.
"Offensively they're like us - a lot of ball screens. The point guard is a threat." - Bibbs on Alabama— Virginia Tech Basketball (@HokiesMBB) March 14, 2018
Offensively, Alabama runs a four out, one in motion offense very similar to the Hokies. They don't rely on significant size on the floor but they do try to utilize speed and agility to get to the basket or create open looks. Blackshear is going to have to be very smart to avoid foul trouble while trying to guard the more agile Hall (if he plays). There is a good chance that PJ Horne is called upon to cover for critical moments in this contest, especially when both Hall (if he plays) and Key are in the game together.
The Crimson Tide shoot just over 20 three point attempts per game, hitting on 6 to 7 of them. This is not a strong point but as with any Tech opponent it only takes one guy getting hot to change stats all day. The Tide also manage to get to the line to the average of 23 attempts per game. The good news is as a team they are only shooting 67% from the line.
What does that mean for the Hokies?
The Hokies need to force the issue inside. Robinson should be able to cause all kinds of havoc foul wise using his speed to drive to the basket. Alabama has had trouble all season with dribble penetration. Clarke and Blackshear on the blocks will consolidate the Tide defense, allowing good open looks outside while also giving Robinson secondary dump offs down low if he cant full penetrate to the basket. Alabama opponents averaged 22 attempts per game from outside.
Fouls become even more critical in this contest than they were in the last game now that Tech is facing a team that causes fouls at a high rate. The Hokies need to cause problems for the Alabama starters in terms of spacing and forcing fouls. Alabama relies on four players to play over 28 minutes per contest. Three of those four also average 2.4 fouls or higher per game.
The opposite of this will also be true. The Hokies, especially Blackshear, Clarke and Horne must avoid foul trouble or the game could spin badly out of hand. Alabama opponents were assessed 20 fouls per game on average this season.
Blackshear should be banned from shooting the perimeter shot. Blackshear is shooting 32% from outside on the season but was 11 for 37 (29%) in ACC play and was 2 for 19 (11%) in the last ten games. In the ACC tournament game against Notre Dame, Blackshear added another 0 for 3 night on several critical possessions late in the game.
The Hokies have to be prepared to go fast all game but that should be a positive. Its when the pace bogs down that the cHokies show up. It is almost as if the brain is so busy concentrating on going slow that it can no longer process passing, shooting or moving on the offensive end of the court.
Crimson Tide Backcourt
Freshman phenom Collin Sexton (#2), 6'3, 190 lbs is averaging 19 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1 SPG. He shoots 49% inside and 34% outside, while hitting 78% if his free throws. Sexton, much like Robinson, is better at creating inside than anyone else on the floor so expect Bibbs or NAW to be responsible for him defensively most of the game.
John Petty, (#23), 6'5, 195 Lbs is a second Freshman Guard having a great season. He is averaging 10.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.8 APG. He is knocking down the outside shot at 36% and 70% from the line. Petty is another that the Hokies will have to watch for penetrating drives with a quick first step.
Dazon Ingram (#12), 6'5, 205 Lbs Sophomore Guard is averaging 9.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.6 APG. He is hitting 27% from outside, 49% from inside and 70% from the line. Expect Ingram to be down low most of the game, occasionally floating out to the corners to keep the defense honest.
Avery Johnson Jr (#5) 5'11, 182 Lbs Junior Guard (Coach's Son) and Herb Jones (#10), 6'7, 200 lbs combine for about 35 minutes per contest and contribute 8.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.8 SPG in their combined time on the floor.
Crimson Tide Frontcourt
(GAME TIME DECISION) (Not sure how that's possible with Concussion protocol)(Wink Wink I am good coach)
Donta Hall, (#0) 6'9, 224 lbs Junior Forward is averaging 10.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. Wrecking ball on defense and a 72% shot inside this season. He also hits 56% of his free throws, so sending him to the line is almost preferred to letting him shoot inside. The only area Hall doesn't contribute much is perimeter shooting but with everything else he does it makes it that much easier for his teammates to contribute there.
Braxton Key, (#25), 6'8, 220 Lbs Sophomore Forward is averaging 7.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 APG and 1.1 SPG. Fortunately the Hokies have Blackshear down low to contend with this Tide big especially if Hall isn't able to go tonight. Clarke and Horne will also rotate here defensively if Blackshear is working against Hall. Key is from Oak Hill Academy so Sy will probably say hello since they were teammates.
Daniel Giddens, (#4), 6'10, 228 Lbs Sophomore Forward, Alex Reese (#3) 6'9, 250 lbs Freshman Forward and Galin Smith, (#30) 6'9, 235 Lbs Freshman Forward will be called upon to take up the slack if Hall doesn't play. As it is now, they combine for more than 36 minutes a game averaging around 10.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.9 APG, and 2 BPG. Obviously major role players put together like that.
What to expect from Alabama?
The Crimson Tide will come out with the majority of their arsenal ready to bear down on the Hokies. Its do or die Season for everyone these days and the Tide will be going fast.
The Tide may find themselves in a quandary on defense, trying to cover such an athletic opponent with aggressive man to man may backfire on them, especially if the Hokies are hitting their outside shots.
This is a team that relies on Quantity more than Quality so if the Hokies can take care of the ball and not give the Tide extra possessions than this game should turn early as Alabama does not have the shooters, especially outside that the Hokies do. That would be even more focused if Hall is unable to play.
The Hokies
Tech needs to keep a high paced tempo. It seems obvious when we watch but it seems as soon as the Hokies get a big lead, the pace bogs down. There is not place for that tonight or anywhere else in the tournament. Find the throat, step on it, don't let up until the whistle ends it.
Hopefully Clarke and Blackshear can continue to grab rebounds like they have in recent contests. Alabama is always looking to get out and run so anything the Hokies can do to slow that progress makes it harder for the Tide to find their rhythm.
Hitting perimeter shots will be another key factor. Buzz needs Hill to reappear from his disappearing act and really help the Hokies put some distance between themselves and the Tide. Bibbs and Nickiel Walker Alexander can ill afford to take the night off either. This trio needs to knock down at least 7 shots from outside for the Hokies to win.
Play Smart basketball, keep possession of the ball, continue to move on the offensive end, don't slow the pace.
In Closing
Expect to see probably the fastest paced game the Hokies have played all season. Strive to prevent penetration into the lane but be smart about fouls. Win the perimeter and break even on the boards. All pieces of the recipe tonight.
Game will get a little chippy. Clarke and Ingram are the most likely to get into it but do not be surprised if Sexton is going back and forth with Clarke either. Buzz has to do a better job of keeping these guys focused on what matters the most. FINAL SCORE – really the only thing that matters these days. No Kewpie dolls for second place.
Tech wins 86-78, by pulling away with the outside shot and then making critical free throws down the stretch. I expect to be surprised by a key role player coming through big and Robinson will likely be the key to a successful finish in this one. Hokies just have better talent at all five spots than Alabama.
Comments
I'm broke my hand today i need something to cheer me the hell up
Are you a lefty, or a righty?
Righty but I would like to have both them 100% I got things to do with them
That's what she said.
Ok I'm pretty much watching my first BB game of the year!
Go Hokies!
AND HEAL UP!
Edit: F$#K Alabama!
Let's Goooooo!!!!
HOKIES!!!
I was going to publish another Comprehensive Rooting Guide, but you hit the nail on the head as usual.
Radford disintegrated.
They're playing Villanova.
Really? Thanks so much for pointing that out. Enjoy the game!
Get cold, get quiet #AssassinMode
What are we drinking tonight?
I finished a bottle of Blanton's to get started, now Bulleit for the rest of the night.
🦃🥃
Stella for me.
I've got a 30 pack of Busch Light in front of me. Hope the game goes as well as #4 has. If not tomorrow is gonna suck. GO HOKIES!!!
I'll second the Bulleit. It just felt right.
Basil Hayden during the game. I'll have a Blanton's when we win.
O'Connor lil SIPA, maybe some bullet in a bit
Donta Hall will play tonight.
I ain't skeered!
IT'S HOKIE TIME! LET'S DO IT!
I was pretty optimistic about this game until the past couple hours. Just keep thinking our eight days off will lead to us coming out rusty. Either way, Let's Go Hokies!
Hot start offensively
Game. Time.
Btw, anyone drunk yet??
I'm digging those warm up shirts they're wearing
Roll Tech Roll.
Pregame Analyst: "Vah Tech"
Way to watch without cable?
Jones and Sexton have the same haircut so I can't tell them apart...
Sex-Ton is #2
Uhhh, Bibbs might be in the zone you guys...
Wilson steps in to take the charge.
Paint touch - kick to three point shooter. Lovin' it so far.
LETS GO! Lots to be proud of about this team. Win one in the tourney!
(and yes, I want them to win more, but a win here will match the total from the last 20+years!)
I'm going to have a heart attack. Damn, minus the fouls in KJ and 5, damn good start. Damn banked in threes
Damn
Just proving a point frank, you don't have to celebrate it
I know. You were just saying "damn" so much that I wanted in.
We might see 180+ points tonight.
For any of you that are sneakerheads, Robinson has some beauties on his feet. Orange/White 12's with maroon trim. I'm in love.
Blackshear's fouls will lose us this game....
Crap - that's two on KJ after a 5 step travel.
This is one of those lineups that makes me scratch my head
Horne with the triple effort put back
Two on Sexton! We need to take advantage of this.
FRESHMAN!
Enter Clarke.
No pigtails tonight.
I'm scared.
I don't know what the over/under is but I'll take the over.
Bibbs jumper turns me on
I kind of liked his earlier SLAM DUNK
Alabama Offensive Strategy: Chuck it at the backboard and hope it goes in. Working splendidly so far.
This is gonna be both a race and a dogfight at the same time
We need some size on this team
Did you guys know Avery Johnson's son who is also named Avery Johnson plays for his dad Avery Johnson?
Yes. But he pronounces it Avery.
It's pronounced Kevin. Everybody knows that.
No. That's an honored title. Doesn't go to opposing players.
Avery is left handed, I hear Avery is right handed though.
He's amphibious - he dribbles with his left and he dribbles with his right.
Not "Kevin"?
I don't understand some of these calls
rewarding all drives. They already called an offensive foul on Alabama's main man, can't call them all
Avery Johnson Jr? Seriously . The game of his life in 2 minutes.
Apparently, its not been a great life.
Surpassed his season average in a tourney game within 10 minutes
Couple things I've noticed: a) sounds like there's a significant number of bamy "fans" there tonight, b) our guys are not getting back or set into defense fast enough & c) how many times have we forced a turnover from them?
turnovers are even at 4 apiece right now
Free throws............
Gotta go at Sexton on offense
I want to see J'Rob cross him up!
Unreal that 3 didn't go in.
3 ball is our saving grace right now
Wow. Sexton's 3 rolling out must be a sign.
I mean, he did bank one off the upper glass. Universe is leveling out.
Universe realized he forgot to call the bank
This team just refuses to take advantage of opportunities. Ever time we get a TO or offensive foul, we commit a turnover on the other side.
I hate that travel call. The offensive player gets no advantage. Unlike the 4-5 steps in the lane where the offensive player gets a significant advantage that they never call.
...and again. Proved costly. We were on 6-0 run. Since that throw out of bounds, they are on 0-7 run.
This game looks like two Mountain West football teams. All O, zero D
Sexton can't help clear with that off arm. I think the officials are waiting for him to blatantly throw it but damn he pushes off every time.
They got him twice already.
True, but he's lucky not to be riding the pine for a large chunk of the first with three.
If there is a giftory we need one of that ball rimming out
Buzz playing solid D on the sideline
Gonna need a GIF of Buzz's reaction to that BS shot clock call tomorrow...
2nd fucking time!
How the F are they not over the back on the offensive boards?
We've got to do a better job on the glass.
This is feeling like the UK game when they scored 60% of their points off of offensive tap ins...
Not being able to capitalize on a lead hurts my heart so bad.
Welp, I've scared my dogs and they have vacated the room.
My greyhounds know to stay away.
They know during football. And my ten year old guy knows. My one year old puppy and the foster dog though, they have no clue.
Same thing but add wife for my situation.
This is driving me insane. I knew as soon as I read they were a poor three point shooting team this shit would happen. That and we're getting bossed on the boards.
Every. Fucking. Time.
Total rebounds are tied at 9 and they only lead in offensive rebounds 6-4.
No communication on the back line and failing to body your man on shots leads to lots of dunks and put backs. Frustrating.
Reggie emphasizing that we "can stroke that long ball."
If we hit more 3's than they hit dunks, we win... right?
I swear I keep watching Bama run the same play. Pass it to the wide open big man 1 inch from the basket.
What the hell constitutes a moving screen?
Not sticking your hip out to clip JRob...every time apparently.
Grayson Allen doesn't play for Alabama
Shooting 69%. Nice.
5 is pissed. Sexton just pushed off (again) and they called blocking on him.
The gameclock doesn't stop in the first half when shots are made?!
I'll take it... Big man on the bench the entire first half, Alabama jacking up contested 3's and we're up by a couple at the half.
Somebody get that man some honey!
Great play for most of the first half. Need to watch the silly turnovers and hit the Damn free throws when they are available.
This is crazy they are supposed to be a poor shooting team. What the heck.
Are you kidding me??
Crap - hated to see that last 3 by the tide. First team to 80 wins if the second half goes anything like the first half.
Might need ninety.
That was a sucky finish to the half (regardless of the fact that we have the lead).
Buzz sounding like Louis Armstrong during that interview.
Hopefully at the end of the game he'll be singing "whaaaaatt a wonderful woooorrrrllld"
Halftime Adjustments
1) Quit giving up wide open looks from deep
2) Win
3) ...
4) Underpants
3) ??????
4) PROFIT!!!!!
Just wanna take a second to shout out JetBlue. I figured I'd have to pay for a shitty wifi service and listen to a radio call, but I have the game in front of on a TV screen, free of charge, with only a minute or so delay
Dan Bonner with the creepy sign off before commercial break.
Why's U2 singing about "American Soul", they're Irish.
And it's nearly St Patty's weekend.
*Paddy's
Kev-in
Angry and drunkily
What, Dan?? Our identity of defense...yet we had the highest scoring year ever...
blackshear needs to stay down low this half
We've got to make the FTs
Glad we're making our free throws...oh wait...
Hit a damn free throw
Jump, hop, jump. Nope...not a walk.
Man, they are eating the whistles this half.
When suddenly, whistles galore
No kidding. 6 fouls in 90 seconds.
Didn't like the tip call on the out of bounds play.
Foul Fest !
Foul out the whole damn team on one drive.
Free Throws are a BIG FAT FUCKING JOKE! And Bibbs, WTH, fuck dammit!
Love that delayed, dramatic charge call.
We are almost in the bonus before the first TV timeout. Going to have many chances at the foul line.
We are gonna be in the Bonus here soon. Hit the damn free throws
Jesus. Ingram with 3 fouls in like 60 seconds.
Have we ever made 2 free throws in a row?
Ever?
Dale Solomon did in 1980
not sure... but I know klempson did, because I got free bacon!
Nice flop
Now here come the make-up/balance out calls.
need to value each possession
Let's go 1-0 every possession.
3-0 imo
I'd prefer 2-0 or 3-0
Honestly, I don't like to compliment loluva but Reggie is harping on about 'bamas defense, like cmon man this is nothing compared to what we have faced.
I like that we are frustrating Sexton and forcing him to turn it over.
We need to calm down and breathe this game is getting wonky we need a calm well played out possession and get into a groove
Got to be careful, refs will be looking for a way to even the fouls.
And hit the mother effing free throws!!!
Now it's a slop fest. Basically a competition to see which can suck and fuck up the most.
Everytime Robinson drives in and makes it amongst a set of trees, I feel like I'm a child looking upon his first magic trick in amazement.
Fouled shooting a 3... But it's a one and one?
NAW is too tall, ref thought his feet were already on the ground.
UHH HOW WAS THAT NOT IN THE SHOOTING MOTION FOR 3 SHOTS?
Bonus at the 15 min mark. We have 1 against us. This could get ugly down the stretch.
Is Bama all skinny dudes with weird haircuts?
Every fucking time.
Refs are making their presence felt. Moving screen or leg lock not called, then a foul on Blackshear and a call on Robinson?
That was a shit foul.
WHAT A BULLSHIT CALL
What the fuck was he supposed to do there?
If they call this a flagrant foul the fix is in
I can tell the 3 pt will not be there for us this half.
We just can't pull away. Everytime we get up 4-5, we let them back in.
Buzz, please hire an assistant who can coach defense this off-season.
Hope the fucker loses a tooth for that. Stuck his face in. That shouldn't be foul at all, much less flagrant.
That's shouldn't have even been a foul. Sexton reached in and made contact first.
It's not a foul PERIOD. It's not a player control foul. You can clear out it happens all the time. Sexton was an idiot for coming in that hard and close. BS call.
KJB makes more stupid ticky tack fouls.
Refs are evening out the fouls. Problem they can actually hit them.
STOP SHOOTING THE DAMN 3!!! ITS NOT THERE
Inside is a waste...they're killing us on blocks and boards.
Yeah...Bebe just fell down and threw it out of bounds on his own.
Letting that guy Petty that can't shoot for shit go off from 3, and playing sloppy on D
Seen this too much from this team
8 for 13 against Auburn, 5 for 9 against Kentucky, 10 for 13 against Alabama A&M.
Kid can shoot.
Fuck it
Bede would like a word with you.
CC needs to get back in the game.
Hey look we made one!
Bull shit call on Bede
Section can charge him. I am glad the basketball season is almost over. I get more and more angry at refs the longer the season goes on.
He gets tripped from that offensive screen and the foul is on him?!
Yep
I mean, he did make contact with his knee.
im really shocked the announcers havent called bamas coach nick saban yet. these guys are a fucking joke and act like bama is some duke esque juggernaut
This feels eerily similar to last year. Petty is absolutely mental right now from 3 just like Bronson Koenig was for Wisconsin.
difference is koening was a starter for a final four a runner up and was the badgers all time leading scorer
I think we need 5 in the game driving the ball to win... If 5 plays 8+ of the last 11 minutes we win... if foul trouble keeps him out we are in trouble unless Bibbs and NAW go crazy from 3 again.
see what I mean...
CC made a steal with his back.
In ACC play that's a charge.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was an Eli Gold broadcast on a mid-October afternoon.
What I would give for a team to struggle shooting against us.
Sexton just elbowed our guy in the face to split a double team.
Sexton just threw a Damn elbow with no call...
Surprised they didn't call a flagrant 1 on 5 for Sexton's elbow.
They didn't even let look at it.
And now they're fucking tackling our guy from behind with no call?!
Surprised they didn't call the foul on us.
How many times have we not caught the corner pass tonight..?
3
3-4 times
This might be unpopular but I actually think the officiating has been okay.
We just need 5 in to create our offense.
unpopular... ALL fouls should be called on bama
I would recommend getting your glasses checked. Alabama has been getting away with a ton of moving screens, charges, and just plain dirty play.
We need consistent series to get some separation and put this away.
Not really sure of this line up Buzz has in. We've got one of our top six players in at the moment... Easy bucket for Bama, then a turnover.
Good TV timeout.
Now they'll hit every FT the rest of the game.
Ranked 308 in FTs. Guaranteed they will hit everyone.
32-16 bench pts....
That was a horrible foul on KJB. Guy ducked under his arm and they called foul on him.
KJ gotta be smarter.
What could he do? He was reaching up for the rebound.
Not really. KJ got there late and tried to go over his back for the board. A really dumb decision.
Stupid play by blackshear. Now they're gonna get a bunch more free offensive tip ins wtih him on the bench
Hokies arn't winning this game. We've seen this so many times. Multiple chances to separate and they blow it every time.
Unless by some miracle, we're fucked.
KJB has to learn to kick the ball back out and reset. He double clutches and just throws stuff at the rim too often trying to draw a foul instead of playing strong.
Turning it off. Hope we win. Terrible defensive game-plan. Blackshear can't get out of his own way. Amazing how uncomposed our experienced team can look at times playing against a bunch of freshman.
Blackshear is so unbelievably dedicated to picking up stupid fouls. It's actually impressive.
Blackshear's decision making is beyond confusing. The fadeaway in the paint and then knowing you're going over the back of a smaller guard. I don't understand it.
Honesty from Highlander: I have a better comprehension of what a catch is in the NFL than what a foul in basketball is. Makes no sense to me.
It got dark in here fast
Pretty sure Clarke is going to finish with less than 20 minutes on the court. So there's that
Ah FUCKKKKKKKKKKKK
WTF play was that right out of a timeout.
We're playing very clunky right now.
THAT WAS DEF NOT AN OFFENSIVE FOUL. AND WHY THE FUCK IS HE DRIBBLING SO MUCH
What a terrible play by Blackshear.
Need some points, but they call out kb on an offensive foul.
No THAT was a stupid foul.
I even saw that one.
As soon as KJB started driving, I knew it would end in a charge.
This team has terrible decision making.
Buzz, I love ya, but you gotta actually win a game eventually
Yea won a lot of games, especially in comparison to his predecessor.
Even the brick gods are giving it to alabama
It's like Blackshear was trying to foul out
I think Saban paid him off.
Dude was not set, awful call
Don't have to be
You don't have to be set for it to be an offensive foul. It was a good call.
Sadly true. Another bad turnover.
KJ pushed off with his arm to create space. Textbook call.
Blacksheer put his shoulder in his chest when the defender had position and the guy sold it some. It was an offensive foul. I am amazed he wasn't called for that more during the season.
If you are talking about KB's charge you should watch it again... dud was in great position and KB tried to clear him out with his shoulder... stupid basketball, good call.
He lowered his shoulder. They will call that everytime. Smart move would be to drive toward the foul, if he get near you fall away.
Lol sorry I'm a couple minutes behind actually so different play
Blackshear has the basketball IQ of a brick.
I thought we would have learned from what happened against Notre Dame but nah.
The lesson they took was "don't build a 21 point lead."
This is not ND worthy. We've never led by more than 6.
Have a better call out of this timeout. We need points and stopping them.
...and we shit ourselves.
Bibbs needs to make himself a threat. They've done a much better job of defending him this half, but he needs to get the ball and attack.
well I've officially muted this game. I'll watch in silence!
This is Clarke's opportunity to take over the last few minutes of this game.
Need NAW, 5, Bibbs and Clarke out there the rest of the game.
JFC why do we have butterfingers tonight. Bad passes and bad catches
Is it football season yet?
The moment is too big for PJ right now.
Yup, he played solid in the first half but you can tell the game is just moving too fast for him right now.
Two point game. Not over yet, still wearing my Cassell guard tv shirt.
From this point on (unless they when) IDGAF what our team does for the rest of the game
Need to get a stop out of this timeout.
So, how many players have record breaking nights against the Hokies??
Because we don't defend the three. It's not just by chance.
It is always somebody, petty with six threes.
Narrative of the season. Bad shooting teams hit ridiculous shots against us.
The Buzz tenure.
Have to figure this out with a philosophy change in the off-season.
Its not even always the defense. Sexton banked in a bad 3 early. Petty hits a desperation 3 with a hand in his face. Sexton hits a brick that dies on the rim
Basically the immobile QBs of basketball for us.
I think you mean mobile QBs. Bud does pretty well against the immobile ones.
No he usually fameplns well for QBs we know can run it's the ones who aren't mobile who have record days rushing against us.
Petty shooting 39% from three. Has 6 tonight.
Left him open a few times to let him get into a rhythm. Once the rhythm is there, the contested ones become open ones. It's a basketball philosophy that I really hope Buzz figures out.
everytime bibbs is forced to drive, it usually ends as bad
C'mon five can't foul sexton.
There's the Saban comments.
Oh well, gave this one away.
Game over. Alabama shot the shit out of it. Just don't understand the game plan.
Bonus with 13 minutes to go, didn't attack. Tons of 3s. Missed free throws. Failure of a season
Please, keep making useless, negative comments. It's a great look for the site. /s in case you got confused.
Great look for who? We are all disappointed fans here.
That foul call on Robinson was a joke. We just can't win.
Of course we are all disappointed. But saying it's a failure of a season? Cmon man.
A 7 seed in the ACC tournament, no ACC tourney wins, and losing to a lower seed in the NCAA is a success?
I suppose we have different standards. Hate to be that guy but they really accomplished not much of anything this year.
Yep, time to shut the program down, we're just bad. Let's go back to the James Johnson years shall we?
He wasn't saying that.
We made it to the ncaa tourney for the second time in a decade. That is a decent season. That said we need to win some of these.
Also the general expectation at the beginning of this season was that we were going to regress.
Unreal. Just can't beat bama in anything.
Fan this is it!
5 didn't get enough PT in the last 12... i know fouls were an issue but he didn't pick up 4 until just under a minute left... from the 12 minute mark on our offense should have been 5 driving 80% of the time and CC driving 20% of the time.
Done. Turning it off. I'll pay attention from a distance, but I won't be as emotionally involved next season. If they get back to the dance and past the first game, then I'll hop back in.
See you in November
Don't take a broad misinterpretation of that comment.
TERRIBLE CALL!!!!!!
The absolute FUCK ARE YOU KIDDING ME
Really cap time? They called an offensive foul on Robinson and a technical on Buzz. Fix was in.
BULL FUCKING SHIT
Terrible call. He was getting mugged and they call the charge
Does it honestly make a difference in the score and our probability to win at this point?
Not at all. It goes from an And 1 play to Bama getting the ball. That had no impact on the potential outcome. GTFO of here with that crap.
I made neither the call or the foul. I just called it like I see it.
You saw it wrong then. If you don't think the 3 or 4 point swing from the loss of bucket, possible and 1, and then the FT they got from the technical impacted the outcome of the game, you are better off being the casual fan and not getting invested in the team as you suggested.
Sure it was a huge swing, but it was the correct call. I would have been furious if the teams were reversed and they didn't call that a charge.
no, that call was unequivocally wrong. Never in my years of watching, playing, and reffing basketball have I seen a charge called when the attacking player landed in front of the player drawing the charge (not to mention he was clearly fouled on the way up, making the whole thing moot)
We'll just have to agree to disagree. Apart from that call, the refs gave us a lot of help tonight and we squandered it.
I haven't rewatched it since that original comment. It looked like JRob was getting bumped hard and he slid in after he left the ground. Regardless if it was the correct call or not, to say that play didn't impact the outcome in any way is ignorant.
defender moved to the left
Ref called a block on JRob.....
Not that we would've won, but that last suspect charge call took away any chance we had at winning the game
A disappointing way to end the season. But overall this season was a good one. Several great wins, back-to-back tourney appearances, a chance at the 3 seed in conference play. We just need to finish games more consistently.
Keep workin' Buzz and Co! Hokie Nation loves ya.
Replayed multiple times and he isn't set when Robinson left the floor
This is the rule.
And a travel there from Sexton... I know we played poorly most of the second half, but the officials straight jobbed us the last 60 seconds.
Hey at least Miami lost.
Which actually hurts us when it comes to $$. Need those ACC units.
lol. I hate sports.
Sexton pushed off Bede on long pass. Then drags his foot. Good no call.
Sexton's a dirty player. Was pushing off or leading with shoulder on just about every drive. Got called a couple times in the first half, then the refs just let him go. Ref even went and talked to him in the second half to get him to settle down - why not call the foul like they were at the other end?
Man, don't be a sore loser. Sexton is not a dirty player. Plenty of our guys were pushing off and using their shoulder tonight as well. It's called creating space, and is usually only called if it's over the top.
Sexton threw a deliberate elbow into 5's face about 10 minutes in the second half. Arm held horizontal, should have been a flagrant 2 and should have given him fouls four and five. No call, not even a foul. Even the announcers saw it as JRob had to get off the floor. That is the definition of dirty.
Time to lose the underdog attitude and actually start winning games like we're the best team on the floor. Ending the season on a 3 game losing streak when every game could have been a win is unacceptable for this team.
Making threes wont matter as long as the ref ms keeping fucking us!
I hate to say it but they didn't play well enough to win. They just looked like a complete mess all night and never at any point looked like the more composed team.
There is an absolute refusal to stop the opposition's 3 point shooting.
For a team that loves the 3 on their end, this makes zero sense.
It's not refusal, its inability. We have zero size so we have no choice but to crash the lanes when people drive and that leaves people on the arch wide open. We need large defensive size so our guards can hang out on the perimeter
Its no coincidence that ESPN website has been touting Sexton as possibly the next NCAA tournament version of Kemba Walker the entire night
🙄
Problem is Sexton isn't the guy who beat us tonight...it was the 30% 3pt shooter who dropped 6 on us. Same problem all year long and we have just had absolutely no answer.
39% shooter at high volume my dude. He is by far the best 3 point shooter on their team and we gave him some easy looks early.
Thats my point...we gave him easy looks as we have so many other guys this year.
I believe his Season av. was 36%...although probably was up to 39% by the end of this game. He was "the" guy to not let have clean looks and we still did so. UK, FSU, Louisville all were subpar 3-pt shooting teams that had banner days against us.
You can't continue to make the same mistakes over and over and expect different results.
Sexton had 3 points and 4 turnovers in the first half. Finished with 25. We suddenly forgot how to defend.
They also neglected to call a single moving screen, charges, or elbow to the face that involved Sexton in the second half.
They couldn't call anything on him FBI investigation has a gag order.
But Nova is going to beat them by 30.
Trae Young was gone earlier in the day. The combination of Avery and Sexton make for good story. The fact that the announce crew was jocking Bama before the game had me worried.
That tech is gonna be the reason we lose not the charge call
It gave them one point. They already had the ball.
Its possible but it only cost us 1 point. They were getting the ball anyways.
The Jrob charge was NOT a bad call. He might have been fouled going in, but you don't get those calls in the last minute. But the defender had position.
Two things I saw that made it problematic for me: 1. the defender was moving to the left when contact was made thus he had not established position; 2. he was not established when JRob left the floor and instead slide into position under him. Bang bang play but seemed more like a block than a charge. I can see it going either way though.
#308 in FT and they can't miss.
Would help if we would stop putting them on the line
Was concerned about this. We didn't "learn" from the last two games we lost. Just repeated same mistakes.
Trading two's again. I'm still confused at this philosophical approach.
Well, it was a roller coaster of a season. I'm very thankful for Buzz and how far we've come these last few years. Go Hokies!
Tech sports wants me to die
Keep wanting to turn it off, but keep hoping for a miracle. But I know the refs would fix it if the miracle did happen.
We got Bama in foul trouble 5 mins into the second half and NEVER took the ball to them. We never pressed the issue stepping on their throat when we could have. That more than anything lost us the game.
This is what I meant after ND when I said they don't have a killer instinct. They are pasisve until they are behind. They will never have success until this mindset changes.
^THIS!!! I don't understand how Buzz doesn't adjust (in game)
Fatal flaw and going back its something that happened with alot of his Marquette teams knowing what to look for.
Yep... when JRob picked up his third we spent a lot of time looking totally lost on offense and didn't take advantage of the foul trouble we got them in early in the 2nd half. We should have looked to build a lead off that momentum and Bama's foul trouble rather than protect our own foul situation. That and the dude who was knocking down three's left and right for Bama were the difference. I really didn't think the officiating was that bad... KB deserved his fouls and I think the charge on JRob was probably correct although it was the nail in the coffin.
It's too bad, a big part of me thought we had a shot vs Villanova and I really wanted to find out if I was right.
So the Hokies will finish the season winning 1 of their last 5 games, looking fantastic at moments and looking completely inept at others.
Sad showing bu rhe ACC in general
The amount of influence that the refs seem to have on games is why it's hard to really get into basketball. We certainly missed too many shots this half tho
The refs didn't lose us this game. In fact they put us in a position to take control early in the second and we completely let it pass us by.
Disagree. The moment we went into the bonus (from blatant calls they had to make), they were pro-Bama the whole way. We could have one despite the refs, but they decided the game
I called it back then they were going to even things up.
Not saying the refs lost us the game, just the amount of influence a close call or 2 can have. A chess match of who can jump in front of the other guy and too late vs just in time isn't my idea of a competitive game.
The worst thing about this game is how the announcers have been just gushing all over this Alabama team like they are the second coming of Duke/UNC.
That's why I muted those fuck faces.
Need to win when it matters. Very disappointing end to the season. We might have won if we hit more of the Damn free throws.
The best thing about tonight is that we can now focus on Spring Football!
Why foul if we just shoot 2s?
Dear Buzz,
Win a meaningful game in March. Rise to an occasion. Any occasion. Then I'll know it's real, and I'll be all in.
Deal?
We just beat, UVA, Duke, and UNC in the same season. This is one of the best teams we've had
And negated them with losses to Notre Dame, Alabama, Saint Louis, Louisville (x2). It was a really good season. We left money on the table, though.
I'm not happy with a first-round exit against a team we should have beaten. I hope you're not either.
Obviously I wish we would have won last night. Everyone does. But the achievements this year exceeded my expectations for the team when we lost Allen and Leday.
Ps: "signature" wins don't count.
Upsetting teams in January is fun and changes the convo our way for about 6 hours. And then the Dukes and UVas of the world go back to being "Duke" and "UVa".
When we lose games like this, our narrative reverts back as well. Fine season, lot to build on - but.
Cmon spring game!
When you dont play defense at all it comes down to the small breaks. You cant expect to win when your opponent shoots 60% from the field. Ugly way for Bibbs and Wilson to go out but it isnt a big surprise.
Never seen a game so clearly decided by one call. We had chances to put it away, but refs decided this game. Total bullshit
It was a good call.
Now all we need is NAW to declare for the NBA
Honestly...he didn't give us that much. Was unbelievable early non-con, then disappeared for long stretches in ACC play.
ACC play is much different. Once he got comfortable, he was quite good towards the end of the season. He is primed for a big jump between his Fr and So seasons.
Are you talking shit about NAW GTFO
Disappointed with the outcome of this game (and the two games before) but proud of this team. We've come along way in 4 seasons. Back to back NCAA appearances.
Oh fsm! We still cant bball!
This makes back to back seasons where Buzz's philosophy of not needing big men to grab defensive rebounds and giving up a million open 3s has led to the end of the season. Really hope he changes that philosophy because we'll continue to be one-and-dones. The NCAA tournament isn't for teams with underdog attitudes. You have to win 6 games if you want to be remembered. You go in every game and let a team abuse you on the offensive glass and from behind the 3-point line and you'll lose somewhere along the way.
We're not underdogs anymore. This makes back-to-back tournament appearances. Time to start playing like a team that belongs and not a team just happy to be there.
He has adapted some this season with the late focus on defense. Good night all.
He inserted Devin Wilson into the lineup because he was a better on-ball defender than Ahmed Hill. Off-ball rotations didn't change, and the general unwillingness to cover wide open 3 point shooters didn't change.
Actually, in our case, since we haven't made it past the 1st game technically we're none and dones
Sy's departure before the fall semester I am sure threw a wrench in his plans. We were left with no one behind KJ. Having both of them for next year will help a lot. Nolley is 6'7" which is more length coming in.
CAN'T.......QUIT..........CUSSIN..........
New T-shirt?
While it was a disappointing loss, I'll definitely take away the positives from the season while also recognizing the growth over the last four years. Too many reoccurring moments during the final stretch of games and eventually, we will learn from them.
Blackshear needs to go... He's a liability
when he is in the post he's a pretty good player. but when he comes out past the top of the key, for anything, offense, defense, anything, then he is a liability.
I don't know about go, but he needs to become a smarter basketball player. All season long he picked up cheap fouls in the backcourt, didn't jump vertically to protect the rim, and took bad shots.
Are we having a competition to see who has the biggest over reaction of the night?
Blackshear certainly had two horrible fouls to end his night and put us in a tough spot but he is the best big we've had since Jeff Allen...
you are correct. he is good when he plays the big. it's when he comes outside, you better watch out!
I just don't consider Blackshear's post presence enough to outweigh him fouling so early that he can't play, wasting possessions by trying to handle the ball and turning it over, and shooting uncalled for 3s leading to empty possessions.
I don't like him outside of the paint either... I don't mind his occasional travels when he shuffles in the paint but I agree he drives too much and takes too many 3's (don't think he took any tonight though). I think when he focuses on playing inside he is better than Jeff Allen was and I wish he didn't lose his composure tonight but I am glad we'll have him next year, especially if Buzz can coach him up on what his role should be.
well said
I'm counting LeDay as a big because he was for us and there is no way in hell he's been better than LeDay.
Just a friendly reminder to everyone to only downvote things that are offensive and doesn't belong on TKP. If you don't agree with someone's opinion but the opinion isn't blatantly degrading something/someone, it doesn't constitute a downvote.
im just salty our fans didnt chant FBI at them
Yeah, what was up with that!?
I would say it came down to the refs, but I honestly think we lost because we fell away from our offensive gameplay. It's beyond my understanding, that we go to giving the ball to Blackshear and let him play off the dribble, time and time again in the second half. It's beyond me that we stand still in a half court set with absolutely little to no ball movement. It's beyond me that CC got barely any minutes with his athleticism that could've easily got to the basket. It's beyond me that we took barely any 3's in the 2nd half to open up the lead because we are pretty much guaranteed to let a team back into the game. It's just disappointing. I think the season was a wash at this point. We lost in the first round last year, we lost in the first round this year, and honestly until we get an alpha on this team, and we start defending the 3 point line better, we'll continue to be one and dones. Just plain sad, sick of losing in the first round. Sick of not making a run for once. Sick of being a freaking 8/9 seed, sick of having a 1 seed in the 2nd round stare us in the face. Just want to be better than we've been these last two years. Just want to go further, want to make a sweet 16 run so badly it hurts. Ugh, I'm going to bed. Go Hokies!
I'm interested in finding out how many FTs we took after we got in the bonus... From the 12 minute mark on we should have been driving every possession and either drawing fouls, making layups or kicking to open shooters. JRob should have driven 60-80% of the drives and CC should have taken the rest with Hill Bibbs and NAW spaced around them.
I like Bede but when he was running the point which seemed like about 6-8 minutes we didn't get anything on offense.
It is a disappointing ending to a good season.
sick of being an 8 seed? back in my day (like 3 years ago) i graduated watching as many wins as buzz has gotten us in the last 2 years the man had a complete rebuild on his hands including the culture were starting to see some big name recruits come in now. have patience
*whispers* uva didn't make 2 tournaments with Bennett until year 5, and didn't make it out of round 1 until then either
That's fair. Doesn't help immediately but it's fair
Some great highs this season. Had some great games.
But the last three games (all losses) have played out the same. We get tight/lose composure in the last 10 minutes and lose all offense.
Couple really disappointing items from this game:
On two offensive possessions after our timeout we had a shot clock violation and a pass go out of bounds. That just shows how tight/nervous they played.
I don't know why Buzz put Blackshear back in so quickly. I immediately knew he would foul out soon and lo and behold 15 seconds later he did.
In my mind this game came down to Petty draining that tough 3 and Sexton hitting the fadeaway - both huge shots in last two minutes. Both were well defended. They just made them and clawed the game away from us.
Incredible! He's done it!
A reasonable take.