Television/Internet
ESPN3 - Andrew Allegretta & Mack McCarthy
Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network - Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius 92, XM 194
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn
The Hokies come in to todays game having won their last contest over Alabama A&M 65-55, in a game that saw Buzz Williams send out some very unexpected lineups. That could continue today against The Citadel, who comes in 4-5, after a loss to Chattanooga. This team is much more talented than Alabama A&M, so Tech needs to be ready to defend better than they did in their last game.
The Bulldogs come in with only two players averaging in double digits, led by Ashton Moore(#12) scoring 16 ppg from the shooting guard spot. They also get 13.8 ppg from P.J. Horgan(#44), starting center along with being their leading rebounder at 6.8 rpg. Marshall Harris III(#10) is the starting point guard for this team, backed up by Warren Sledge(#5), together averaging about 8 assists per game. The Bulldogs run a four guard one big set, rely heavily on lane penetration to create opportunities for Horgan to score but also shoot almost 40% from behind the arc, so Tech will have to respect the outside shot. This is a team that tries to slow play down to allow their opponents the fewest possessions possible.
On defense, the Bulldogs quite often employ a full court press or at least a half court up close defensive style to slow their opponents and require pin point passing. They do an excellent job getting their hands on the ball as it crosses the lane on pass attempts. The Hokies will need to be very careful protecting the ball as the Bulldogs excel on turning their opponents over while limiting fouls. Opponents are only averaging 11 shots from the free throw line so far this season.
I expect that we arent through seeing Buzz using unusual lineups today, but I anticipate that Bibbs will be at the point guard again at least to start the game. They need to jump out early on the Bulldogs and play ahead or this will be a really hard game for the Hokies to win.
Hokies 57 - Citadel 54
Comments
Not looking forward to a low scoring, high turnover-fest like you are predicting. Hope we see some good things out of whatever groups Buzz puts out there
I expect to win by 30 and everyone but Donlon plays. I may have to reduce my expectations.....slightly.
Jooooeeeeey. You're breaking my heart at the free throw line, dude. Breaking my heart. Also: it would be nice if one of Smith's 3 pointers would fall. Good looks, just not falling.
Your preview has been spot-on so far. I'm not really happy about it.
Well when you go 1 for 9 from three point range and 1 for 6 from the line, you should be losing by 20, so I will take being down by five. Too many attempts from outside though, need to work the ball into the lane.
Yes, very ugly to watch. Joey negates a lot of his value with lousy free throw shooting. His FT style is atrocious.
Driving the lane and getting buckets. Glad to see us change it up a bit.
Nice defensive effort out there this half, fellas. Lots of hustling. Lots of putting pressure on the ball. And some glorious clamping down in the lane.
Id love if these refs would allow the continuation after fouls when driving the lane. Between those points not being allowed and our awful FT shooting, thats around a 10 point swing
Thank you, Lord.
That was a good win for the team, although the free throws just continue to haunt us.
Be honest, do you think we'll even been .500 this year?
If you mean record wise, its looking more and more unlikely even with the two recent wins. If you mean free throw shooting, it will depend on how often JVZ goes to the line.
Maybe , free throw shooting is improving somewhat. ( 8 of 11 last 3 min) Baby steps.
Henry and Wilson really pulled our asses out of the fire today IMHO. It felt really, really good to win this kind of game that came down to the wire and required good D and not being god awful on free throws.
Wilson and Henry were tough down the stretch for sure, but Smith put us in a position to win with a great second half.
Muller is starting to look like the forgotten man, wish they would play Henry and Pierce more.