Hokies tonight started hot from outside with 7 different Hokies hitting a three. After an 18-0 run game was essentially over. The defense was pretty stifling. They crushed Vermont on the boards 42-26. Not a stellar overall shooting night but with the bench playing such a big role thats not a huge surprise. Kidd added another double-double with 17 and 11. Pedulla returned but wasnt called on to do too much. Collins sat out butI think that it was just a precaution.
Hokies bench got to play 101/200 minutes this afternoon, adding 24 points. Rechsteiner had several big plays doing little things, including a bomb from outside. His connection with Young is going to pay big dividends.
That FR 🤝 FR connection@jaydonyoung4 🔗 @b_roc0 📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/CArHIAU8i6— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 16, 2023
Young added another on a transition bucket
JY corner 👌💦📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/gytuSDFLaB— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 16, 2023
This sequence of passing was pretty ending with a Nickel dime.
We love a good transition bucket 🪣👌 @tnick_5 pic.twitter.com/MBMRMDBaks— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 16, 2023
Big Pat got into the swing with this nice dunk.
Send it in Big Pat 😤🔨 @BigPatWessler pic.twitter.com/5Eos6Snz3i— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 16, 2023
Here are the whole game highlights.
🎥 highlights 🆚 Vermont#StoneByStone x #Hokies pic.twitter.com/NF1w2l1A1q— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 17, 2023
Hopefully the Ladies can round out the weekend with a win at Rutgers tomorrow.
Comments
EXCELLENT-START-TO-THE-WEEKEND FAM!
Fam.
VT beat VT
CMY was the most positive I remember hearing him after this game.
Vermont started so cold I kept expecting them to come roaring back when the shots started falling. Put we kept up the defensive pressure and, while we could never really add to the early lead, never let them get back to single digits. I guess everyone who said we were better when Collins was not out there was right? I thought Beran has looked much better (on defense)when not playing ACC level athletes.......
I don't think we can chalk this up against Collins. The team as a whole didn't shoot well in this game. 42.6% from field and 34.6% from outside. They were bolstered by 17-23 at the line compared to the Cats 5-9 at the stripe. The defense was solid but Vermont just couldn't hit a shot in the first half. Some of that was effected by defense but they missed at least ten wide open looks, mostly from outside.
The biggest difference in this game was rebounding though. Not sure I can recall a game where the Hokies dominated on the boards more.
If he is healthy, Collins will still get 20+ mpg because Young prioritizes defense. As you pointed out, these weren't ACC caliber opponents so let's wait to see what happens with Wake Forest in late December.
Might not be an ACC caliber team, but they are in the NCAA and win their conference more often then not.
Is it a bad hot take that I think both that 1) pedulla is our best pure scorer and 2) our offense might operate better with him off the court?
Pedulla forces too much to be the best pure shooter. If we are talking jump shot, Young may be in terms of form and repeatable shot. Game on the line it's Cattoor every time. I do agree with your second point to a degree. He loses his calm approach, especially in close games which leads to bad turnovers or Collins like shots.
Love the recap! Thanks FAM!
HOKIES BBALL FAM!!!
This just needed to be shared.