Well that was a fun end to this four game stretch. The Hokies made it through this tough portion of their schedule going 3 and 1 against Miami, UVA, Louisville, Notre Dame, and Duke
Scoring
Aluma led all Hokies during this set of games with 69 (nice) points, barely edging out Cone's 67. Rounding out the Hokies' top scorers are Mutts (48), Radford (40), Cattoor (30), and Alleyne (29). Of note, the Hokies are ridiculously consistent in scoring. In the first set of four they scored 301 as a team, 302 during the second set of four, and 300 during this set.
Rebounding
This three horse on a treadmill race was won by Aluma's 30 boards over the four game set, topping Radford and Mutts who had 29 each. No other Hokie was in double figures for the four game window. With only 121 boards this series, this was the lowest rebounding output by the Hokies.
Assists
Mutts and Bede led the Hokies with 8 assists. N'Guessan actually led all Hokies with a 2:1 ATO margin. No Hokies had worse than an even ATO margin. Among the starters, Radford led the team with an ATO margin of 1.5:1. As a team, the Hokies were getting a 1.15:1 ATO margin.
Experience/Depth
We've settled into a solid 7 man rotation with Aluma leading the team with 135 minutes over the 4 game window, followed by Mutts (123), Alleyne (101), Radford (96), Bede (94), Cone (88), and Cattoor (82).
Next Four
The Hokies have a chance to catapult themselves back into the top of the ACC with, what appears to be a weaker schedule over the next four games. First comes Wake Forest, currently 0-3 in conference with losses to Duke, UVA, and Georgia Tech. Their only offensive explosion came at the beginning of the year against Dalton State. They haven't broken 70 points against any major conference opponent. We have them by height, so expect attacking the post early and often.
Next up will be Boston College, who sits at 3-9 with wins against Rhode Island, Maine, and Miami. They did play Duke and NC State close. Again, we should have a size advantage.
Syracuse represents the only team with a winning record, although they are 1-2 in conference with losses to Pitt and UNC, but a big win over Boston College. They have scorers and size, so this will be a tougher out for the Hokies.
Finally, the Hokies wrap up this set against currently bottom-feeding Notre Dame. The Hokies beat the Irish by 14 in Cassell, so I would think the Hokies have the ability to win here.
Prediction
Syracuse is the only tossup to me, and because it's in New York, I'm going to say we lose the game, to go 3-1 in this tetralogy, bringing their overall record to 13-3 and 7-2 in conference.
Comments
Has this ever previously happened for us two games in a row in ACC play?
Most games so far.
Just wait until FSU and they'll probably have a PG taller than Aluma
What a great start to the meat of conference play.
I don't know if that is going to be the collective "meat" of the schedule, yet.
I think it's going to depend on where/if UVA is rescheduled.
Right now the remaining fixed installments of this chronicle are (UVA, Pitt, Miami, FSU), (Louisville, UNC, FSU, GT), and (Wake, State, ACC Tourney, ACC Tourney/Other Postseason). Obviously adding the UVA makeup to any of those shifts anything after to a later point in the schedule, and would probably make that pod of games the meatiest chunk.
That Jan 30th - Feb 20th run could be brutal with UVA, FSUx2, UofL and UNC.
or...or...we power through it and sit top 10 with a few games remaining and locked up ACC regular season crown.
Did you see the FSU NC State game the other night? FSU hit 100 points with over 3 minutes left.
Clemson in December was the conference play appetizer
We're now in the continuous, main part of the conference schedule. the meat (unless you're vegetarian)
that's all I was going for there.. not saying this four game stretch was the toughest part of the schedule
Biggest concern with Boston College is the grad transfer guard, who has exploded in ACC play after merely being a role player early
Kelly? I would hope Bede/Cattoor can disrupt him enough to keep his production lower, while Alleyne or Radford can keep Heath or Tabbs under control.
Mutts against Felder probably slightly benefits BC
Aluma against Mitchell is gonna be a slugfest down low.
Yes Kelly, just went off for 27 in their win over Miami, been in double figures in all three starts
If we can stay in his face on the perimeter, I don't think he's will have the kind of performance that he had against Miami. 7 of 12 from beyond the arc doesn't seem sustainable.
Sure but he has been at or above 40% for the last three years just about. He also has a surprising burst. In their game against Duke he took his guy off the dribble four or five times right to the basket to score or drop it with a big for an easy layup
If we can reduce his total deep attempts to something more reasonable (say 8) I'd rather him hit 40% of those. He'd still get into double figures, but (hopefully) not dropping 20+ on us.
Additionally, while I have no access to any individual defensive efficiency ratings, my eye test would suggest we have better perimeter defenders than Miami.
Didn't want to start a new thread, but NAW is having himself a game in his first start for NO this season, 37 points and counting on 20 attempts.
Still wasn't enough to get them past the Clippers with three starters sitting out. NAW did all he could to lift them up, similar to how Bradley Beal had 60 in a loss this season, just not enough support. Shows its a team game.