IT'S GAMEDAY! #Hokies vs Canes, 9 PM#BeatMIAMI pic.twitter.com/AOFtaOEDNw— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 17, 2016
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Where can you watch tonight's @VT_MBBall game at Miami? Check out a new #HokieHuddle. https://t.co/nmCTrXi2Ra— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 17, 2016
Hokies Fans, bit of a condensed version tonight as I unfortunately have a ton of the stuff I get paid to do piled up because of weather.
That said, Miami is a very tough, very experienced team composed of Jim Larranaga's never ending ability to bring in huge transfers while sprinking in some actual recruited talent that unfortunately will probably run the Hokies out of the gym by 5 or by 8 considering they are the third highest ranked team in the ACC at this point and the conference needs to protect its high spots in the tournament, no matter who gets run on the other end. These young Hokies have shown a couple times that they can overcome the 3 when the 5 arent so great so hope for an off night from this Hurricane team.
Who to watch out for from the Hurricanes -
In terms of ability to hurt the Hokies, I think it starts with Angel Rodriguez (#13) Senior Guard, 5'11, 180 Lbs. He is their do a bit of everything from running the point to being their top defender. This season his numbers are: 11.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.5 SPG. Shoots 80% at the line but his perimeter shooting if down dramatically this season below 30%. (Formerly of Kansas State)
Sheldon McClellan, (#10) Senior Guard 6'5, 215 Lbs is their top scorer at 16.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 APG and 1.1 SPG while shooting 87% from the line and about 40% from outside. (Formerly of Texas)
Only other Hurricanes in double digits are Jaquan Newton (#0) Sophomore Guard 6'2, 185 Lbs and
Davon Reed (#5) Junior Guard, 6'6, 208 Lbs. 11.4PPG and 10.7 PPG. Minimal impact beyond that but Newton is a threat to shoot from outside so guarding him closely would be a good idea.
All these guards complement that with a monster down low in Tonye Jekiri (#23) 7'0, 244 Lbs who is scoring 8.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG while shooting better than 54% from the field. Oh and he doesnt miss dunks.....(Enter any Hokie Big Mans Name)
Getting Jekiri in foul trouble early and often should be one of our teams focus. They have to get into his body before exposing the ball so he is on the hook for a foul, and hope the whistles arent swallowed in this case.
Tech should also expect to see a lot of pressure defense so hopefully they used this week off to run press drills in practice.
Sorry so short but hopefully it at least gets you ready for the game.
Tech falls to the bad guys 72-67 likely because they fail to get a key opponent out of the game thats in foul trouble who is able to hurt them late.
You make my heart Buzz, Valentine!Happy Valentine's Day from Virginia Tech men's basketball pic.twitter.com/2LL5eKSYqq— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 14, 2016
Comments
Reporting in! It's been a long week without Buzzketball. Also, lol@that Valentine picture.
We need to get their 7 footer in foul trouble fast if we are going to have a chance. Not to help us score, but to keep our bigs from all picking up quick fouls every time he touches the ball.
Also our rebounding game will be much better not having to box out a true 5 without one
It'd be really nice to come out hot shooting for once this season.
Good to see Clarke back.
It's nice to see the refs calling some of those wild shoulders and push offs for once.
I take it back. That guy wrapped his arm around LeDay and pushed off. And Zach gets called for the trip...
Late work day I'm watching on my phone while on the DC metro...
COME ON HOKIES!
So nice to have Clarke back!
We're now 4th best in the league at FTs? Did I hear that right?
Why was that a foul on Blackshear and not a jump ball situation?
And here we go ACC refs!
Robinson just made the 1 on 4 look easy, wow!
Beautiful drive by Robinson. I really like how he plays point
That move by Justin Robinson had me like
Justin Robinson showed some nice patience on that drive.
Justin nice move some jocks are on the floor.
The hideousness of this game plays in Tech's favor to a point, but with Allen and LeDay on the bench, they desperately need someone to make some shots. Miami won't miss forever.
Looks like the touch fouls are getting one sided. One of our guys has to be on the floor to get a call. Not saying the refs would get lopsided to keep an ACC team near the top 10, but I remember BigEast refs doing all they could to get a #2 WVU team into the natty champ game against Pitt a few years back.
Anyone else watching Seth Allen coach em up from the bench? Dude is the 6th defender.
I didn't see that, but that's fantastic.
Buzz must have seen something on tape, this defense has their offense sputtering
We can do this! We just have to minimize mistakes Miami is not playing well.
Yes Bibbs for Three!
Why whenever ESPN or anyone else shows a sporting event in the Miami area do they show South Beach like it's just down the street and not 30 plus minutes away?
ESPN should start showing downtown Roanoke when they cut to commercial for our home games.
Wilson got mugged no foul. What's it going to take?
Jesus....everything in the last minute and a half of play has sucked.
Foul trouble has been a huge issue for us lately.
Win or lose, I really enjoy watching this VT team play ball this season.
Well, we've filled our 1 missed dunk quota for the night.
Looks like Miami realized they'll actually have to try and drive the ball if they want to win.
Got to cut out that sloppy play!
All aboard the Seth Allen turnover train!
I don't understand what's a foul and what is not. Tiny guy on big guy wiith the body. I guess. Refs have too get more involved in this game.
Same here. Seth Allen's game completely relies on getting to the line. When he doesn't get the calls, he's one of the biggest liabilities on the team.
So who called the refs during the half and reminded them who they should be favoring?
Christ.
ACC refs FTW. No consistency to be found. Also, where is their student section? Do they have one?
For an 11th ranked team it sounds like they're playing the game in a library.
I can hear individual people talking in the stands. Not great, Bob.
Whatever adjustments we made at half need to be undone. We have picked up 5 fouls and scored 2 points and probably have 4 turnovers in 5 min
Seth Allen alone has had 3 turnovers this half.
Jekiri's flop game is weak
How the hell was that not a foul? LeDay got thrown 10 feet.
Jekiri landed on his foot preventing him from getting his balance. I was more upset about the elbow to LeDay's forehead right before that
This is the ACC. ACC refs. Need I say more?
Elbow to head no call I can't take this!
It only took 8 minutes, but we finally got a field goal this half.
How about Blackshear and Clarke carving up 4 defenders on their own with some fancy passing
Seth Allen is an absolute liability both offensively and defensively in this game. Why hasn't Jalen seen the court this half?
With the way he has been playing the last 4-5 games, Robinson should be the starting PG
Couldn't agree more. He looks to be like the best option in my opinion. Doesn't often make silly turnovers and looks for others instead of forcing stupid shots. Plus he can knock down the shots when they come to him. I tend to give Allen the benefit of the doubt most of the time because at times he has been our only offense this year but this half in particular I have seen him waste at least 5 possessions by stupid turnovers and terrible shots.
Out of control too often, sloppy mistakes.
That's been his game all year. The only difference is that tonight he can't get to the line.
I love Blackshear's touch around the hoop on offense, but he seems to get lost on defense. He's consistently too far away from the rim to contest the rebound. He also picks up way too many fouls 20'+ from the basket.
That is something that can be taught and corrected. He is just reminding you that he is a freshman.
It just bothers me that it hasn't changed at all 26 games in.
Cue random Allen 3 pointer
I've honestly never seen someone who only shoots 27% from 3 attempt as many as he does.
The dude doesn't lack confidence that's for sure.
Look like we were running globe trotter ofense for a second out of the time out.
Is it me, or does every replay show a VT player getting shoved or elbowed without a call?
Yes. Give Jekiri all the fouls. More of that please.
Anyone else notice the whistles have slowed down now that Miami has a double digit lead?
Attack the basket and pray the refs will make some calls our way.
Okay. That's it. Rant initiated. I fucking hate ACC refs. This is ridiculous. I saw Rodriguez absolutely fucking dog Justin Robinson trying to dribble up the court early in the 2nd half with no call and now all of the sudden, hand checks are immediate fouls and any and all contact around the rim is an immediate foul. For gods sake, all I want is some consistency. Just for one full game please. I don't think that is too much to ask. Is it?
If we can get their backcourt out of the game then we have a chance.
Edit: We should probably also stop them from scoring any more...
Jekiri hooks or throws that elbow a whole lot without it getting much attention from the officials.
Just from watching games this year, no official has any idea what a hook is. I've seen it called maybe once this year and it could be called a hell of a lot more than that.
The refs were too interested in watching the dunk to see the blatant travel beforehand...
Sit Seth down.
We are forcing it offensively instead of moving the ball and cutting into passing lanes
No call knocked to ground np.
Nice to see Wilson taking it to the hole again, was so good driving the ball his freshman year and seems to have lost his confidence.
Can't wait for Justin Robinson to mature more. Has some serious potential to be an elite ACC point guard. You can just see it in the way he plays.
I can't wait for next year when our soph are juniors and this freshman class has the extra whole offseason under their belts. If we recruit some size, this team will be dangerous.
Edit: Or Pierce and Hamilton need to take a big leap forward.
Agree. His unselfish play and pull up jumper reminds me of Tyler Ulis at UK
For sure. He makes crisp, on-time passes and doesn't commit a lot of bad turnovers. Same goes for Clarke. If he can figure out how to knock down a jump shot, he is going to be almost impossible to guard. Really exciting future for our basketball program.
Give up 65 points and you should be knocking on the door of a win against the #11 team in the country. No one other than Robinson could knock down a jump shot. I'm sure there is a reason, but I would like to know why Jalen never saw significant minutes in the 2nd half. Especially with Seth out there playing so horribly. Really hope Justin Robinson gets a start next time out. Kid deserves it for how he has been playing and Seth needs a wake up call.