BUZZKETBALL CENTRAL: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BULLDOGS (2-8) AT VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (7-1) 1PM ACCNE 12/9/2018

FOR STUDENTS

STUDENTSIf you do not have a ticket but would like to attend today's game vs South Carolina State, come to the East doors of Cassell Coliseum with your Hokie Passport and you will be admitted to the arena. https://t.co/zvj9Dsprh9— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 9, 2018

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: December 9th 1PM
Opponent: South Carolina State Bulldogs
Site: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
TV: ACC NE Andrew Allegretta & Mack McCarthy
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
SXM 193 (Streaming 955)

Snowstorm, Another lesser opponent, Another drudgery to Survive

Buzzketball is back in Cassell against another overmatched opponent and with the challenge of a bleak home atmosphere with the student body on break and a ever constant challenge of bringing in a local crowd especially with the snowy weather in Blacksburg. This is the third game between the Hokies and South Carolina State. The Hokies hold a 2-0 edge so far in this series. The Bulldogs are coached by Murray Garvin, in his seventh year at the helm of South Carolina State. In 7 years, his teams have made the postseason in one season, one CIT appearance.

Garvin is 64-115 at South Carolina State which has been his only head coaching job. So far this season the Bulldogs are 2-8 with wins over Brevard College and Voorhees. Their losses are to Tulsa, Charleston Southern, Cleveland State, Ohio State, Purdue Fort Wayne, Samford, Charleston and Jackson. Seven of their eight losses have been by at least ten points.

Garvin is most known for how he reacted when a player of his collapsed and stopped breathing in a game against NC State in 2017. Garvin dropped to his knees in prayer, and most of the arena followed suit. Since then he has become a faith based motivational speaker.

Defensively, the Bulldogs prefer to use zone defense. They will rotate between a 2-3 and a box and one defensive scheme. They struggle with playing zone and defending the perimeter. That said, opponents thus far have only managed to shoot 35% from outside so it hasn't hurt them too badly. Interior scoring though is a different story all together. This roster's last of size makes it difficult against bigs down low. Opponents are shooting 58% inside so far this season.

Offensively, South Carolina State under Garvin focuses on a 4 Out – 1 In Motion Offense. So far this season, the Bulldogs are hitting only 31% from the perimeter, relying heavily on interior scoring to get their baskets. The Bulldogs rely heavily on screening motions, rolling their big to the top of the key to allow for lane penetration or interior passing. The one place that South Carolina State enjoys the most success is when they can use their speed to get out in transition. They come in averaging 24 points a game in transition scoring.

Bulldogs Backcourt

Senior Guard Janai Raynor Powell (#11), 5'11, 160 lbs, is averaging 10.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG and dishing out 2.9 APG. He is shooting 45% from the field but 57% outside so far and is making 84% of his free throws. He also averages 1.4 SPG.

Sophomore Point Guard Rayshawn Neal, (#3), 5'10, 185 Lbs is averaging 8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.8 APG. He is hitting 41% from the field while hitting 10% of his three pointers. He is also hitting 71% of his free throws.

Jahmarri Etienne (#14), 6'3, 190 Lbs, Junior Guard is averaging 6.1 PPG, 2 RPG, and 1 APG so far. He is shooting 31% inside and 27% outside but is a surprising 100% from the free throw line.
Bulldogs Frontcourt

Junior Forward Damani Applewhite (#35), 6'8, 195 lbs, is averaging 19.6 PPG, while also pulling down 7.2 RPG and .6 APG while shooting 57% from inside, 44% from outside and 70% from the line.

Ozante Fields, (#5), 6'7, 215 Lbs Junior Forward is averaging 4.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and .8 APG. He is shooting 60% from the field and is a miserable 38% from the free throw line.

What to expect from South Carolina State?

The Bulldogs have spread minutes out across their roster, mainly due to foul trouble. They have three players already averaging more than 2.9 fouls per contest. As a team, they have been whistled for 214 fouls in 10 games, or 21.4 per game. Opponents have also attempted 245 free throws so far, or 24.5 per game.

The Bulldogs also struggle with turnovers, giving the ball away on average 14.3 times a contest. The struggles especially are focused on the starting five, who account for 10.8 of the 15 turnovers per game.

The other area the Bulldogs are having difficulties is shooting the ball. As a team they are shooting 44% from the field which is relatively average and only 31% from outside. That said, they have not fared well against pressure and struggle to create the open shot. As part of this, their opponents have 45 blocks in ten games so far.

The Bulldogs, even changing to a four guard set, still focus on rebounding on both ends of the floor and already have nearly a 33 rebound differential in ten games. They have a 32 rebound advantage on the offensive glass which allows them 3 additional possessions compared to their opponents.

The two areas that keeps South Carolina State in these games at all is that they are successful in turning their opponents over and seem to have a knack for offensive rebounding giving them second chance opportunities. They are forcing opponents into 14 turnovers per game and pulling down over 12 offensive rebounds per game.

The Hokies

Still no update on Landers Nolley being approved to play. Stretches to the 9th Game now. Having him back may be critical to winning against Washington, who gave Gonzaga a huge scare this week.

The most critical difference for the Hokies against South Carolina State is speed and transition execution. The Hokies are averaging almost 14 points a contest in transition so far this season while South Carolina State is averaging 24. In this contest the first step speed of Nickiel Alexander Walker and Justin Robinson could directly create the open looks needed to win this game. Tech's speed even in the half court offense will press South Carolina State considering they have not had to deal with this level of opponent yet.

Blackshear should have a huge game, relying on him actually being on the floor. This is an opponent that will struggle all night with his size and ability to back down the opponent in the lane.

In Closing

The Hokies have the advantage in speed, athleticism, and the ability to create offense from defense. Almost every aspect of this game should go the Hokies way considering how overmatched this opponent is.

The Hokies should flirt with 100 points in this contest, barring a major change of game plan from South Carolina State and depending heavily on how deep and how soon Buzz goes to the bench.

Tech wins 93-64 in a complete dismantling of this opponent It may not get ugly early, but expect an second half spurt like we have seen from this team pretty consistently.