HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: #22 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (11-1) AT BOSTON COLLEGE (6-6) 630PM ACCN

HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: #22 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (11-1) AT BOSTON COLLEGE (6-6) 630PM ACCN

Virginia Tech (11-1, 1-0 ACC)
at Boston College (6-6, 0-1 ACC)
December 21, 2022
Conte Forum
6:30 p.m. ET
ACC Network
Virginia Tech Sports Network

TV Broadcast
ACCN
Play-by-Play: Jon Meterparel
Analyst: Chris Spatola

Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop

Current Spread: Hokies -9.5
Over/Under: -133

Snap the Streak....
The Hokies (21st in AP Poll/20th in Coaches Poll) look to avoid the trap Holiday game on the road. The Eagles lead the series 21-13 and come in having won the last three. The Hokies defeated the Eagles last in 2019. The Hokies always seem to struggle at the Conte Forum, where they are 4-13 overall.

The Eagles are coached by Earl Grant. He began his college coaching career at The Citadel as an assistant coach in 2002. Boston College is his second college head coaching job, taking over the job in 2021 after coaching College of Charleston for seven seasons. He has a 19-26 overall record guiding the Eagles.

The Eagles are a wavering 6-6 after breaking their four-game losing streak against Stonehill. Boston College has some BAD losses, including Maine, New Hampshire and Tarleton State. They managed to beat a decent George Mason squad but after that there is nothing good about their schedule. Four of their six losses have been by 16 or more points.

The Eagles are a veteran team by way of the portal but seem to lack an identity. This team ranks in the bottom third nationally in rebounding, scoring, three-point shooting, free throw shooting, personal fouls and turnovers. The only stat they rank in the top 100 on is blocked shots. Coach Grant spreads the minutes out pretty evenly across nine players.

Coach Grant defensively employs a full court defense the majority of the game. The problem though is that teams have been exposing this defense for quick scoring opportunities. The Eagles are experimenting with a slightly less aggressive mid court defense to cut down on these chances. Expect to see a mix of zone and man-to-man at different points. Defense though is definitely their better half.

Offensively, Coach Grant uses a motion offense but with guard dribble penetration. The Eagles do not focus on perimeter shooting, likely because they have not been very good at it. Eight players are averaging at least 6.2 points per game. They average over 14 turnovers per contest. They get to the free throw line nearly 18 attempts per contest but shoot a mediocre 67% as a team.

The Eagles Backcourt
Jaeden Zackery (#3,SO, G ,6-2, 200) 11.3 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 2.0 Ast
Makai Ashton-Langford (#11, SR, G, 6-3, 185) 10.6 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 2.1 Ast
Mason Madsen (#45, JR, G, 6-4, 190) 6.6 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 1.0 Ast
DeMarr Langford (#5, JR, G, 6-5, 195) 7.0 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 1.4 Ast
Chas Kelley III (#00, FR, G , 6-5, 180) 3.4 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 1.2 Ast

The Eagles Frontcourt
CJ Penha (#24, SR, F, 6-7, 230) 10.3 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 0.6 Ast
Devin McGlockton (#21, SO, F, 6-7, 220) 7.3 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 0.4 Ast
T.J. Bickerstaff (#1, SR, F, 6-9, 207) 6.6 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 1.3 Ast
Prince Aligbe (#10, FR, F, 6-6, 225) 6.2 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 0.2 Ast

What to expect from Boston College?
Forward CJ Penha will be a tough matchup down low for Mutts and Basile. Kidd and Poteat will likely be called on to counter Penha. He plays a clean consistent low post rarely fouling which is surprising due to his size. That may change though as the Eagles get further into their ACC schedule.

Full Court Defense, Mid Court defense, and multiple styles of defense. This may be the smallest lineup in the ACC. They try to make up with speed what they lack in size but it hasn't been very successful.

The Eagles try to slow the pace and limit shot attempts overall. Opponents average 67 points per game against the Eagles. This is misleading due to holding four lesser opponents under 56 points per game. The stronger D1 opponents have been averaging nearly 75 points per game.

The Hokies
This is a game for balanced scoring across the roster by whomever has the open look, of which there should be many. Pedulla and Cattoor should have big games offensively.

Hokies scoring in transition could reach a season high. I expect no less than 20 points in transition. Not necessarily a dunk fest but I could see folks calling for a Giftory after this one to go under their tree. Calling two Cattoor dunks ahead of time.

Avoiding the Holiday lull road game trap is likely the biggest risk area in this contest. Expect a sparse crowd in a near silent arena so the guys have to be able to motivate themselves without crowd energy to feed on.

Highlight of the Grambling State game
Pedulla Oblongata continues to shine.

In Closing
The Hokies go on the road, break out of the funk early and lead by double digits for the entire second half.

Scoring inside and out in a very balanced output. The guards lead the way in scoring though, shooting 43% from outside. Pouring in the points early to get the Eagles looking forward to the buzzer rather than a win.

Hokies move to 2-0 in the ACC grabbing Dub12 and win 81-60.

This is a Five Popcorn Decision. Road game but overcome it early.

Confidence Factor:
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uva - the taint of the ACC
Callused perineum is a symptom of being a uva fan

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I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

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uva - the taint of the ACC
Callused perineum is a symptom of being a uva fan

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

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"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

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I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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Doesn't matter if it's cake or pie as long as it's chocolate.

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

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Yes,that's the Hokie Bird riding a camel. Why'd you ask?

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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Yes,that's the Hokie Bird riding a camel. Why'd you ask?

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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"GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM LITTLE BROTHER, THE CUP IS COMIN’ ON HOME!”

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Never Forget #1 Overall Seed UVA 54, #64 UMBC 74

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Never Forget #1 Overall Seed UVA 54, #64 UMBC 74

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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"GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM LITTLE BROTHER, THE CUP IS COMIN’ ON HOME!”

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"GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM LITTLE BROTHER, THE CUP IS COMIN’ ON HOME!”

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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If you can't handle my shit posts, you don't deserve my memes

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Jet Sweep

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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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"GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM LITTLE BROTHER, THE CUP IS COMIN’ ON HOME!”

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Outside it's night time, but inside it's LeDay

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

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"GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM LITTLE BROTHER, THE CUP IS COMIN’ ON HOME!”

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣