Television
Regional Sports Networks - Wes Durham & Mike Gminski
Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network - Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius 119, SM 193
(Florida State broadcast)
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn
As Alex's thread points out here , we are finding out just how Buzz Williams plans to address the suspension of Van Zegeren on the court. This is another game that the Hokies will face significant size disadvantage against Florida State, we will likely get to see quite a few combinations of players out their for Virginia Tech.
Florida State boasts a trio of seven footers that rotate in at the Center position, and combine for 14.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 2.3 bpg. The bad part about this combination is that they aren't even the shooters we have to worry about. A combination of three larger guards come in as this teams highest scorers.
Aaron Thomas (#25), comes in averaging 14.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg.
He is joined by Montay Brandon (#32), a 6' 7 guard, who knocks down 13.7 ppg along with 5.4 rpg. He is shooting an astonishing 59% from the field so far this season.
The last of the leading scorers is Xavier Rathan-Mayes (#22) who puts up 11.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg while playing the point guard role with about 5 apg. There are three more FSU players that rotate the other guard/forward spots that contribute about 23 ppg and 12 rpg.
This team is methodical on offense, working the ball around to get inside. They are shooting an astonishing 47.5% from the field as a team, so count on them to find the right shot and hit almost every other trip down the floor. This could prove especially damning if we are unable to prevent them from getting offensive rebounds as that will increase their scores per possession dramatically. Tech will likely be outsized at every position on the court which is something they aren't necessarily used to. Buzz may employ the new five guard set in hopes to speed up the game, get FSU bigs in foul trouble and take advantage of our speed vs their size. We certainly do not want to get into a war with their bigs in a slow lane dominated game because it will work against us.
These teams come in with identical records but don't be confused, Florida State played a much tougher OOC slate than did Tech with seven games against top conference teams. Tech is in for a battle tonight and this is one of the few schools that Tech might be able to knock off if they play an entire game, not just a half or two thirds of one. Tech will have to limit turnovers and their shot will have to be on to stay in this game. Big games will be needed from Bibbs and Smith from the outside as opponents average taking 19 three ball attempts per game. Florida State on the other end is dreadful from outside, shooting just 26% so if the Hokies can keep FSU out of the paint, it will be difficult for FSU to score.
If Tech hopes to get a win in its next five games than this is the one to get, as their next four opponents are all currently ranked in the AP Top 25.
I think Tech loses focus in this game sometime in the second half and allows FSU to get just enough of a lead to win this one against the Hokies. If Bibbs and Smith come out shooting than that could change the result quickly.
FSU - 63 Virginia Tech - 58
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