2021-22 Hokie Hoops Statistical Notes: Volume the Ocho

The Men's Team
It's been a long season, but I think I can finally start off an edition by saying these words.

The 2021-22 Hokies have a winning record in the ACC.

Sitting at 9-8 in conference, the Hokies are chilling at the #7 line, with any win in the regular season giving the Hokies a first round bye in the ACC tournament. In fact, they have a 3 game lead over Louisville, the current #10 seed. Virginia Tech would have to lose out and Louisville would have to win out for the Hokies to not get the bye.

Scoring
Even with the 3-1 record, this was the worst team scoring output over a four game window that the Hokies have had all season, at just 63 ppg. Leading the charge for the Hokies for the 6th time out of 7 editions is Aluma, this time with 18 ppg. Joining him in double figures is Alleyne (10.25). Rounding out the significant contributors, you find Mutts (8.5), Maddox (7.5), Cattoor (7.25), and Pedulla (5). Scraping by at one basket per game were N'Guessan (3.25) and Murphy (2.75).

Rebounding
Well the rebounding numbers......rebounded. As a team, the Hokies snared 31.25 boards this cycle, led by Aluma (8), Mutts (7.75), and Cattoor (6.25). Among the Hokies pulling down one rebound per half, you find Murphy (2.25) and Alleyne/Maddox (2).

Assists
Only two Hokies failed to achieve an ATO of greater than 1:1, and those were Pedulla (4:5) and Aluma (3:6). Leading the Hokies in assists was Mutts (21), but he also led in turnovers (9). The best margin (minimum 2 turnovers) was Murphy at 10:3. The best, minimum 1 turnover was Alleyne (4:1), and N'Guessan managed to not turn the ball over once, but dishing out 2 assists. As a whole, the Hokies were 56: 33 over this stretch.

Experience/Depth
Eight Hokies saw the court over this frame, with minutes going up from the previous quartet of games by minutes-leader Mutts (34.5 mpg), Cattoor (33.75), Aluma (33.5), and Alleyne (30). Pedulla (16.25) and Maddox (19.25) remained very close to their previous tally, while Murphy (23) and N'Guessan (9.5) saw their minutes decrease; the latter by more than 50%. For the first time this season, Ojiako did not see the floor.

Next Four
The end of a long and confusing regular season approaches. Only 3 regular season games remain before the Hokies ship off to the ACC Tournament.

This Saturday, the Hokies take their talents to South Beach, to lock horns with a Miami team that is battling for the double bye and a potential ACC regular season crown. I don't think I have to remind anybody what happened the last time out, between these two teams, but suffice it to say, had the last 5 seconds gone a different way, I wouldn't be justifiably laughed out of the room by saying the Hokies could make the double-bye. All of their starters are decent-to-great scoring threats, they rebound about the same as the Hokies. This has all the makings of a very good game. I would be willing to say the first team to 70 or 75 will win this game.

Next...oh, next...The Hokies have their chance to pluck the elusive bird of the ACC next Tuesday, in Louisville (at Cassell (on Senior Night)). The Cardinals have no players in double figures (although 3 at 9.7 ppg), owing to their relative inability to shoot from distance. They rebound incredibly well, but are a team 12.1:12.1 in ATO margin.

Ending the regular season not this, but next Saturday, the Hokies close out against Clemson. The Tigers have four good scorers and four meh scorers. Looking at their team stats, I don't see how they are 5-12 in conference. All of their numbers look good, which must mean their defense is godawful. It's not. They have a team scoring margin of +2.8. I don't get why their record is so bad.

Based on the current standings, the Hokies would match up with either the #10 seed Louisville or #14 NC State. Either of those would be subject to change as it's entirely possible any of the 9-15 seeds could change. I don't want a rubber match with the Wolfpack and Louisville would be out to restart their streak.

Prediction
I want to say we will beat Miami. We match up well with them and it was a hell of a game the last time out. That being said, and I hate it, they're playing damn well. We barely just beat the last place team in the conference. Miami, in another heartbreaker.

The streak ends.

I guess the Hokies beat Clemson. I don't really know.

What I do know is I want to hold all three of these teams under 60 points. Why? You might ask.

Virginia Tech is just a paltry 1.6 ppg/a behind UVA for the ACC Team Defense crown. If UVA gets lit up by FSU and Louisville, it can be ours.

The Women's Team
Quick. Take a guess as to the women's record over the last four games.

If you said 3-1 you're right. As it has been for all but the first two volumes of the season. At 13-4 in conference, the Hokies have locked up a Top 5 finish, but either need one more win to get that double bye.

Scoring
Over this four game window, the Hokies averaged their second highest scoring output at 73.5 ppg. Leading the charge, again, is #2 in the conference in scoring, Kitley, who came in at 19.5 ppg. Sheppard (14) was the only other Hokie in double figures. Traylor (8.5), Amoore (8.25), and C. King (8) were significant contributors, while Lytle (6), Gregg (5), and Baines (3.75) also contributed in multiple games.

Rebounding
The Hokies also managed to pull down the second most rebounds of any edition this season. Leading this category is, again, #2 in the ACC, Kitley at 11 rpg. Gregg (7.25), and Baines (4) are the only others to average a rebound per quarter, while Lytle/Sheppard (3.5), Amoore (3.5), and C. King (2.5) cleaned the glass at least once per half.

Assists
Three Hokies managed to hit double figures in assists, led by Amoore (17) (Sheppard, 11; C. King, 10). C. King led the way with a 10:3 ATO margin, but was joined only by Amoore (17:11) and Gregg (4:3) as players with positive margins. As a team, the Hokies only had 6 more assists than turnovers.

Experience/Depth
Blowouts help keep the minutes down, and that is the case here, as was last edition. Only 3 Hokies averaged north of 30 minutes, but none were well over, as in past editions. Kitley led the way with 32.75, followed by C. King (31), Amoore (30.75), and Sheppard (29.5) rounding out players who averaged more than a half of basketball. Gregg (19.75), Traylor (19.5), Lytle (17.5), and Baines (17.25) took care of almost all of the remaining minutes.

Next Four
Only one game sits firmly on the schedule, and it's a doozy. The Hokies welcome #1 (in the ACC) NC State. The Wolfpack won a close-fought brawl in Raleigh earlier this year. If Kitley were to win the ACC Player of the Year, she will need to outduel Cunane a second time and lead the Hokies to the W.

Prediction
The Hokies have averaged 3-1 all season, so there is no reason to change that now, but the question is how. Do the Hokies lose at home on Senior night, but then rattle off 3 ACC tournament wins on their way to an ACC title, or do they get the win, but then lose in their first tournament game, then go on a 2-0 run in the NCAAs, or do they get the win, get two wins in the ACC tournament, but then lose the ACCCG? The scenarios are numerous. In any event, until they get that 4th game in, this will be the end of the ride, unless the end of the chapter comes first.

A loss by the Hokies and they will be bumped to the #5 seed, should UNC defeat Duke.

The defense of the Cassell holds. Hokies by 3.

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