GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: March 13th, 2019 / 2 PM
Opponent: Miami
Site: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
TV: ESPN
Talent: Sean McDonough, Dan Dakich & Maria Taylor
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech
Sirius: 81 XM: 81 Internet: 81
ACC Game One, Miami Game Three
Buzzketball starts out this afternoon in Charlotte with a familiar foe, a downtrodden Miami team. Miami is coming in off a win over Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament. Prior to that game, they lost by 14 to the Hokies.
There should be a packed house looking to celebrate a Hokies win as Charlotte has the second largest alumni base of any city. A win today would extend the Hokies highest win total in the ACC to 13 wins. This will be the thirty ninth meeting between the Hokies and Hurricanes. Miami leads the all-time series 22-16. The Hurricanes are 3-11 on the road or at Neutral site games this season with those three wins coming during the Wooden Legacy tournament against La Salle and Fresno State and Wake Forest in the first ACC Tournament game.
The Hurricanes are coached by Jim Larranaga, who has been at Miami since 2011. Miami has won at least twenty games in six of his seven seasons, but will not make that this season without winning the ACC tournament and then hoping to get into a post season tournament. Larranaga has taken the Hurricanes to four NCAA tournament berths. He also guided them to an ACC Championship both in the regular season and tournament in 2012-2013. Larranaga is currently 175-96 as head coach of Miami, while 645-430 overall with other coaching stops at George Mason, Bowling Green, and American International.
Defensively, Miami runs three different defensive schemes, primarily playing a high pressure man to man which usually rotates into the Scramble defense which is essentially a man to man defense with some zone trapping techniques utilized and then rounding it out with a curveball they call a 3-2 Disrupting Camouflage Defense which is a high pressure, perimeter zone defense that sags to the middle of the court. The 3-2 Disrupting Camouflage is almost the reverse of the Scramble defense. This defense has players back off their offensive players as if they were going to trap but then they shift into passing lanes rather than close the trap. Against the Hokies the last two contests, Larranaga has mainly relied on his man to man defense, as the Hokies cut the Hurricanes up any time they shifted to zone.
Offensively, the Hurricanes switch between a four out, one in and a three out, two in Motion Offense, based on the personnel on the floor. This season, with a void of talent, the Hurricanes have primarily used the four out, one in. When Miami is in with two bigs, those bigs typically rotate between the top and bottom of the lane to create gaps in the defensive coverage while also opening up opportunities for the guards to drive to the basket. The Hurricanes usually attempt 23 threes per game but this is a game against the Hokies, where everyone seems to add 5-10 attempts. The silver lining is that the Hurricanes are only hitting 34% of their perimeter shots.
Hurricanes Backcourt
Chris Lykes, (#0), 5'7, 160 lbs Sophomore Guard has become the central point of this team and is averaging 16.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.1 APG and 1.3 SPG. Lykes has been called upon to play almost double the minutes he played last season. He is shooting 41% overall, 32% from outside and 76% from the line.
Anthony Lawrence Jr., (#3) 6'7, 185 Senior Guard comes in averaging 12.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3 APG and 1.2 SPG. He is shooting 35% from outside, 46% overall and at the free throw line, shooting 75%.
Zach Johnson (#5) 6'2, 195 Lbs Senior Guard is a graduate transfer from Florida Gulf Coast. He is averaging 12 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.8 SPG. He is shooting 29% from behind the arc and 39% overall. Also shoots 68% from the line.
Dejan Vasilkevic, (#1) 6'3, 198 Lbs Junior Guard is averaging 11.3 PPG 4.4 RPG and 1.3 APG. So far this season he is shooting 47% inside, 37% from behind the arc and 93% from the line. He is their only reliable perimeter shooter this season.
Anthony Mack, (#13), 6'6, 218 Lbs Freshman Guard is essentially the only reserve guard, seeing about 16 minutes per game while the four starters all play over 31 minutes per contest. He is averaging 2.7 PPG, 1.1 RPG, and 0.8 APG. He shoots 29% from the field and 29% from outside. He also only hits 75% of his free throw attempts.
Hurricanes Frontcourt
Ebuka Izundu, (#15) 6'10, 205 Lbs Senior Forward has been forced into a much larger role than his first three seasons called for with the suspension of Hernandez and the injury to Gak. He has essentially doubled his production compared to last year, averaging 11 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 1 APG. He is shooting 65% overall, 33% from the perimeter, and 70% from the line.
Sam Waardenburg, (#21), 6'10, 216 Lbs Sophomore Forward is averaging 5.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.2 APG. Waardenburg is shooting 41% inside and 36% outside. He is a 75% free throw shooter.
What to expect from Miami?
The Hurricanes have five of their six primary players average 2 or more fouls per contest. Anyone in foul trouble for the Hurricanes limits their ability to adjust dramatically. This is especially true if Izundu is in trouble as he has been the central player on both ends for the Hurricanes in the two previous matchups.
The surprise performer in the previous game had to be Anthony Lawrence who seemed to find his groove in the second half and finished with a double-double. 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Miami scoring is quite evenly spread across its starting five, then it essentially hits a cliff, as the roster doesn't go much more than six deep. All five starters average double digit scoring though so there really isn't a primary focus point.
In the previous game, the benches made all the difference, where the Hokies shut out the Hurricanes 19-0 in bench scoring.
The Hurricanes have been badly outrebounded in conference play so far.. The Hokies won the last rebounding battle 33-30.
The Hurricanes guards are very adept at creating steals, with four of five starters averaging over a steal per contest. Turnovers could give the Hurricanes a way to keep this game close. In ACC play, they have forced their opponents into almost 13 turnovers per game.
The Hokies
This game's pace could vary dramatically depending on who is on the floor. The Hokies have definitely slowed their pace of play without Justin Robinson but have also improved their passing to find the open shooter. The Hokies just need to remember what got them to where they are now. Shooting the ball proficiently. The Hokies need to find that rhythm of turning energetic defense into a scoring offense today.
The Hokies shot 14 of 26 from deep and 12 of 13 from the free throw line in the last game. Those kind of numbers are going to be tough to replicate so the Hokies will need to find additional ways to keep separation from the Hurricanes.
Hill and Nickiel Alexander Walker need to drive the basketball. This will open up perimeter shooting for Outlaw, Hill and others, which is critical considering the Hurricanes only allow opponents to shoot 33% from outside. This could also create the foul issues that seem to plague the Hurricanes in ACC play.
Blackshear needs to have a big afternoon and body up Izundu to create fouls. Considering the Hurricanes depth issues, getting Izundu in trouble early could create a major void in the Canes defense. The same is true on the other end. Limiting Miami on the offensive glass is a huge plus because of how poorly they have shot the ball this season and how much they have struggled to rebound in ACC play.
In Closing
One thing to keep in mind going into this game. It is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to beat the same team three times in a season, especially when they are not a cellar dweller talent wise. Miami is going to look to jump out early and get a lead so they can play from the front. The Hokies need to play the way they are capable of and get this critical win.
Work the Hurricanes inside. Blackshear should touch the ball every possession he is in to keep Miami honest. He has shown the knack for knowing when to drive and shoot and when to kick out so helping him dominate the paint is a major factor in this game.
The Miami bigs have a tendency to get in foul trouble so providing EVERYONE the space and green light to drive (except Outlaw) inside along with Blackshear being able to draw contact down low could force Larranaga out of his game plan. The less of 6'10 and 6'11 that see the floor against the Hokies the better off we are in this contest.
Hokies win 79-67 with Hill and Walker putting on a show and Blackshear closing it out late.
Comments
LET'S GO!
HOKIES!!!!
HOKIES!
TO THE MALL
Its tough to beat a team 3 times in one season
But because its Miami, lets make sure we have fun doing it
FUCK MIAMI
FUCK A&M
UVA SUCKS
Got the game set to record, watching tonight....time to avoid this thread, if not TKP altogether, and go dark on social media for the rest of the dayNever mind, just realized its streaming on theacc.com. I'll watch while I earn money instead
Good luck with that!
What time is tip off?
2:30 pm eastern
man, the Tigers really Clemsonsed that one against State
They didn't get any help from the officials.
Gotta put some blame on them for losing the huge lead but they got supremely shafted by the refs near the end.
The announcers keep talking about Miami only having 7 scholarship players. How many do we have available?
23
I think the answer is 8. The starters plus Horne, Kabongo and Wilkins. Did I miss someone?
T minus 30 seconds until the commentator mentions Duke
Is that a record?
Ugh, we get stuck with Dan Dakich? He's one of ESPN's worst color commentators.
sucker, I got Brando, Gminski and Oliver
Man Bede's game has come a long way the last few weeks. The movement that last possession looked like JRob was running point with the slashing and kicking. We get defenses out of position so easily when we attack like that. I really hope he's able to keep it up going forward.
WOO BOY, Outlaw is hot to start this one.
uh oh.... Ty Outlaw found his shot to start Tournament Season
Outlaw getting open and finding the bottom of the net.
If this were NBA Jam, Outlaw would be on fire right now.
Ty Outlaw. En fuego.
Miami's pep band with those god awful striped rugby shirts. I thought bands stopped wearing those in 1998.
Live look at Outlaw from the ACC Tourney
he started 3-3, so I am still waiting for this GIF to go to "HE'S ON FIRE!"
Haven't been able to tune in yet. Did Outlaw really open 3-3 from downtown?
Oh yes, oh yes indeed.
I like this
Horne with an ugly turnover.
The Horne foul live I was more ok with than when they showed the replay and he stood straight up with feet planted until after the defender fell over him.
Can we get Outlaw a few more years of eligibility?
That Outlaw steal tho
Was that Outlaw's first career dunk at VT?
First career attempted 2pt fg
It was sexy
This is Ty's tournament everyone else is just participating.
NAW trying to blind Blackshear!
lol goddam, Outlaw is locked in
Man, I wish ESPN would refrain from using the low camera angles during live game action.
Just because you have the angle available doesn't mean you have to use it in real time. Why don't producers understand this?
Man if we can shoot like this all week long, we could win this tournament
Sheesh. When Med gets going downhill, he's unstoppable.
Man we are putting on a clinic right now. Great offensive sets to get guys in their spots for a good shot & just not giving them any space at all on defense. And if they do get past our perimeter guy there's somebody in the lane to draw the charge or contest the shot every time. Might be our best game all-around since conference play started.
"Miami.... your first half....woof!"
Agreed.
Need to continue playing our game in the 2nd half and not let up. See Clemson/NC State for reasons why.
Apparently the announcers made a comment that they hope our game is better officiated than the Clemson/NC State game.
Hokies with more assists than Hurricane made field goals thusfar
FSU coaches scouting the game are sitting right in front of me. Do I fight them?
Spill your drink down their backs during a Hill slam dunk celebration.
If you have too
Tell them: Unfortunately, a scouting report doesn't affect which officials get assigned to referee the game.
Seems to be the only way they've beaten us this year.
What are they scouting? Refs?
Om my God this shit again
Looks like we are going to have to fight hard to win this one the way the 2nd half is starting.
Not the best thing if we hope to make a run
20 point lead cut to 7 in the blink of an eye
Welp. This is how you give a bad team momentum & wind up losing a game you should win. Awful energy to start the 2nd half
Bad way to start the 2nd half, which is how we've started every 2nd half in recent memory.
it doesn't help that our first couple possessions ended with quick misses by Hill from 3 while Miami went 3 for 3. Not a great way to set a tone.
Come on guys, we need our team to come back from the locker room after half. Miami is killing whoever the impostors on the floor are right now.
i am at work and can't watch the game, but the game tracker is looking awfully similar to the FSU debacle. Someone tell me I'm wrong.
Threes just aren't falling for us right now - need to play inside more. We've had some success on a couple of possessions in the paint.
How does a Miami player make a dunk and then 2 seconds later make an offensive rebound? Gamecast is odd.
Guys, c'mon, we're Clemsoning
Outlaw has gone cold
Move to paint.
Threes aren't hitting right now unless you're Miami.
And no more fouls by Blackshear.
Getting really tired of the late whistles
front end of a 1 and 1 barely grazes the front of the rim.
lol yikes
oh this is great. Outlaw to the locker room
WTH happened to him?
Why can't we have nice things?
per the announcers they are just giving him another award so he can get hot again.
either that or hes injured and in return will be granted a hardship extra year of eligibility and will be back for a 7th year.
KBJ!
Hopefully that puts an end to their run. With Outlaw seemingly hurt, we need to use as little energy as possible to save up for the next few days
OK, Blackshear can still hit threes.
Great. If Outlaw is hurt we're very short-handed moving forward
He didn't look to be in pain.
Stay hopeful.
It didn't look too serious. Hopefully just a tweak of something.
He left his shot in the locker room, he's just walking back to grab it real quick.
brought the coaches with him because they might have to lift and move the couch
KBJ!
tfw Blackshear drains a 3
Hate Dakich but love the Rasheed Wallace reference for Blackshear. Puts me back in those D-Town glory days with him and Ben Wallace.
Looking more like the 1st half now
They chilled out and got stuff back together
Looked up and we're back to +17...this feels better...
20 now - Hill found Ty's shot.
watching the ESPN gamecast and all those empty green circles look nice next to those solid maroon ones
Fantastic response by the guys to build the lead back to 20+ after that big run by Miami. Man this team is tough-minded
You can't make this shit up
OK, that's quite hilarious.
the next two aren't any better
Wow what a crock call on Wilkins
WTF was that call on Wilkins??
Is it too early for a GIFtory request?
Buzz's confused look on that "foul" would be amazing.
Get NAW out of the game.
So who hooked and who held? Could be on either one of them.
Usually the player who is hooking from top to bottom (prohibits the opponents arm from going up) gets called.
Nice troll by the VT fan with the UMBC shirt and nice troll by ESPN for showing it!
Who pissed in McDonough's Cheerios this morning? Guy has been a non-stop ass the entire game.
Bede having a good game. Keeping them honest with a couple shots, stealing and dishing.
He had a really nice drive in the first half, too.
Can Outlaw pick up two more rebounds before fouling out. It would be his first Double Double I think.
Sum bitch, we're trying to let them come back again
And mindless play gets Miami back in it
on theacc.com stream, they just broke for the play of the game, which was the Outlaw steal and dunk and damn Brando said "just another example of what Blackshear can do"
Bede just had a great possession right there. Toyed with the defender for the entire shot clock and then found his shot for the made basket.
rough game for Kabongo, but I think he drove the first nail in the coffin with that three
Now for some sweet sweet revenge on Florida State. Hopefully the neutral court keeps the refs neutral as well.
Survive and advance!
FAM!
Have a nice offseason, Miami.
Remember the days of crossing your fingers and hoping to get even one ACC tourney win? I enjoy winning by 15 much better! FAM!
So apparently it isn't harder to beat a team 3 times in one season rather than twice!
What was that last turnover?
10 second call
Nice game.
On to face FSU.
Dang, put my money on the moneyline...should've gone with my guy and taken the spread
Our football program needs to start beating these teams, as well