HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: SYRACUSE (13-8) AT VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (12-8) AT 7PM ACCN
Rematch with the Orange in ๐๐ช๐ง ๐๐ค๐ช๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฅโน๏ธ: https://t.co/QWJDVGA1ea๐ค: @CarilionClinic pic.twitter.com/S3NJdmWSgtโ Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 28, 2023
Syracuse (13-8, 6-4 ACC)
vs. Virginia Tech (12-8, 2-7 ACC)
January 28, 2023
Cassell Coliseum
7 p.m. ET
ACCN
Virginia Tech Sports Network
TV Broadcast
ACCN
Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
Analyst: Dan Bonner
Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop
Current Spread: Hokies -6.5
Over/Under: -141
A Different Day...
The Hokies are home against Syracuse teetering between working back to respectability and season over. The Hokies have Cattoor back in this one which is the major difference from the prior game.
The Orangemen are coached by Jim Boeheim. He began his college coaching career in the Stone Age at Syracuse as an assistant coach in 1969 and has been there ever since. He took over at Syracuse in 1976 and has a 1011-434 overall (427-269 in ACC) record guiding the Orangemen.
Syracuse really only has one semi quality win over Notre Dame. All of their other victories are against lower tier ACC and bottom 100 overall teams. Since facing the Hokies they have gone 3-3 with wins over GT, Louisville and Notre Dame. Their losses are to UVA, UNC and Miami.
This team is led by guards Joseph Girard and Judah Mintz, who combine for 33 points, 5 rebounds and assists. Jesse Edwards will also play a major factor in defending the paint.
Defensively, the Orangemen employ the Packline Defense, which focuses on taking away an opponents shot while not giving up easy driving lanes. There is also a huge focus on preventing the high post pass and disrupting return passes from the high post to the top of the key, leading to turnovers. The most critical person in this defense is the center Jesse Edwards, who has shown he is able to sag low in the lane to prevent penetration on the baseline as well as when to press up to prevent interior passing.
Also look for Boeheim to employ a significant amount of full to three quarter court defense off made baskets. The Hokies have struggled with pressure which may encourage Syracuse to increase its use as the game progresses.
Offensively, Syracuse usually runs the motion offense, but in the last two seasons have had a greater focus on creating fast break points and moving quickly to get a shot. Their average possession time is one of the shortest in the NCAA. Boeheim relies on creating extra possessions and increasing the overall speed of play to wear down opponents.
The most important part is the amount of movement in the offense. You don't see one guy with the ball while the other 4 guys just stand around and watch. When someone passes the ball, they immediately move to a different spot on the court, and another player moves to replace them.
One common play that Boeheim teams run extensively in the half-court is called the 23 Orange. In this set play, the 4 and 5 start on the blocks with the 3 in the corner. The other two players begin at the top on the perimeter forming the "23" set. As a post flashes high, the ball handler passes to that post and moves to the opposite wing. The post can then pass to the second guard on the perimeter and follow for a ball screen. If the second guard passes out, the post flashes high and looks to make the high low pass to the opposite big. If it's not there, the post dives low as primary brings the ball up, forming the "23 again". This is a common set in Boeheim's motion offense.
Tomorrow night for its game against Syracuse, @HokiesMBB's staff will wear these custom, colorful shoes ๐The shoes were painted by pediatric oncology patients from @CarilionClinic's Tanglewood Center in Roanoke!โ HokieSports (@hokiesports) January 27, 2023
The Orangemen Backcourt
Joseph Girard
11 SR G 6-1 195
17.5 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 3.3 Ast
Judah Mintz
3 FR G 6-3 172
15.0 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 4.4 Ast
Justin Taylor
4.6 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 0.8 Ast
Symir Torrence
10 SR G 6-3 200
2.9 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 1.8 Ast
The Orangemen Frontcourt
Jesse Edwards
14 SR C 6-11 215
13.6 Pts, 10.6 Reb, 1.5 Ast
Chris Bell
0 FR F 6-7 180
7.2 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.5 Ast
Benny Williams
13 SO F 6-8 215
7.2 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 1.1 Ast
Maliq Brown
1 FR F 6-8 213
5.8 Pts, 4.6 Reb, 0.7 Ast
What to expect from Syracuse?
Short possessions over and over and over on both sides of the ball. Boeheim aims to get you caught up in the pace so you lose focus on your game plan.
The Orangemen are wildly inconsistent in overall scoring. They range from 95 against Oakland to 44 against #16 Illinois. Average against the better teams is around 65 a game.
Perimeter shooting is a not a major part of the Orangemen strategy. They average only 17 attempts per game but do shoot 36% so the Hokies still must defend the perimeter. That said, most readers here know the history that some no name deep off the bench usually comes in to hit 50% in a career night.
The Hokies
Having Cattoor's ability to defend and shoot from three should make a big difference in the flow of this game. He helps to spread the defense and will give Girard a much harder time. I do not expect Girard to break the 15 point barrier.
Last time against Syracuse, Basile played arguably his most complete game. Getting that kind of inside performance again would be a huge boost for the Hokies.
The Hokies will need big games from Kidd and Poteat along the baseline for backside baskets. Breaking the baseline against this defense needs to add 20+ points overall.
Slow, methodical possessions to find open shots. Expect to see Mutts or Basile alternating at accepting passes along the free throw line in an attempt to draw Edwards high in the lane. This is needed to create baseline opportunities. Maddox role continues to be diminished until he shows the coaches he is ready to be out there.
Collins may get involved coming out of the deep corner three to expose open layup opportunities along the baseline.
Highlight of the Duke game
Silly Basile underneath.
Every game is going to be a battle.We're going to make the best of our situation and ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ค pic.twitter.com/7fBt3qVlYAโ Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 25, 2023
In Closing
The Hokies get a big boost from Cattoor getting close to form from outside The Hokies have a sold out Cassell to motivate them.
Limiting turnovers and lowering Syracuse' overall opportunities is critical to success. Cattoor shutting down Girard will also make a big difference.
Hokies final will come down to the little things, turnovers, free throws and who shoots the three better.
Hokies pull out a nail biter 71-69.
This is a three Popcorn Decision. Too many inconsistencies game to game to be overly confident.
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Comments
Let's go......
HOKIES
Win or lose, let the record show that Jim Boeheim sucks.
Yes. Yes he does. He can suck my balls. He's a snotty conceited prick who tried to keep us out of the Big East and refused to come play us in Cassel. Fuck that asshat.
He gone.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35813757/syracuse-basketball-coach-jim-boeheim-47-seasons
And there was much rejoicing!
This guy gets it.
Apparently Maddox is out dealing with a family matter
Just saw that too on Twitter. Hope everything is ok
Not sure he was going to play a big role anyway.
Yeah I'm not sure what's going on there. He's a very good player. Had been showing signs of life recently. Was really hoping he was about to get going
last game against the orange we had 11 turnovers and were only 3-19 on 3-pointers.
need to limit turnovers and hopefully with Cattoor back we'll improve on our outside shooting.
Get Camden out Jesus
His shot just does not look great
Going to need to start hitting some of these open threes
Boys....Thank you.
Unbelievable we are winning shooting 2-10 outside.
3 of those were Camden just now lol; 2/7 doesn't look quite as bad
Have only seen like a minute and a half since they switched over from FSU-Clemson and I'm already done seeing Camden
Pedulla should not ever cover Girard. Just an unfavorable matchup
Some soft foul calls early; unlike backyard brawls that happened earlier in the year
the ball movement is coming alive!!!
It really is a beautiful thing when a team breaks down Syracuse's zone. You love to see it
12 assists on 13 made FG thus far. that's pretty dang good!
Hey, Camden is actually capable of recording something in the statsheet
Collins is having a game. This kid is growing up game by game.
Also- we're 9-18 from 3 tonight-
Wow some bs calls given to Mintz
He should name his first son Junior.
And his daughter, Pepper
And his former animated scientist platypus, ex-perry
Tough on officials to call him for it with all the herky jerky motion in his game. Just keeps defenders on awkward footing
Wow I love having cattor back and mj Collins starting
11 3s in the half, wild
Lets not do that thing where we cool off for the next 15 minutes and make the last 5 way more interesting than it should have been.
amen to that
hit em in the throat... I mean put cha foot down on their throat!
almost afraid to comment on how good that 1st half offense was. (because there's still another half to play).
but, 62.5% FG, 55% from 3.
18 assist on 20 made FG, that's unheard of.
and only 4 turnovers.
somebody pinch me... I'm dreaming!
Think Pedulla riding pine helped turnovers or just gameplan against zone was working well?
think it helped a little. he's usually good for a lazy pass or two. or an out of control drive and lose the ball.
Ok the fouls going in favor of Mintz getting ridiculous
NOT A FOUL ON PEDULLA WTF
Pedulla wouldn't get called for fouls if he moved his feet on defense ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
Almost as bad as all the fouls that got called on JRob back in the day against UNC
He got into him with the body when he went up for the shot. They call that every time.
Yah second look I saw the contact more; they don't call it EVERY time as I've seen us get mauled in other games and crickets but I guess as long as their consistent which I think they have been this game
Pedulla must have hit on Jamie Lucky's daughter or something.
Damb we have got to figure out how to do better under pressure d ๐ when people play tight defense esp full court we pannnnnnic pass
I feel like we have taken our foot off the gas pedal...we should not do that.
Mutts has 2 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assist.
I think he'll get his next 2 assist.
Then go full assault on reaching 10 points for the triple double
I was thinking the same....now needs needs 2 assists and 4 points.....
Need to fight through this and get the lead back up to 20.
Edit: that's more like it
Mintz now officially getting away with whatever he wants. The press is going a step too far with no whistles
Announcers are all over Mutts for a lack of a killer instinct tonight. Can't say I really disagree. He's pulling up and allowing Cuse to set up their half court defense seemingly every time he touches it. Probably need to attack more, especially against that press
Yeah it's like we were in drain the clock mode but not punishing them at all for pressing by waiting for them to get back in their zone
Yeah, if you break the press, get the points. When you have a 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 that should be a free basket. Take it when they give it to you, especially when our half court offense has just ripped off a few empty possessions
agree and agree
Several times it's been him and Basile two on one after breaking the press and he holds the ball. Needs to attack.
Absolutely. Often, it's him, one defender low with Basille or Camden at the baseline. Mutts could dribble and drive to the basket and make the defender choose what to defend. Mutts will either layup/dunk or dish for an easy layup/dunk. That's what I'm seeing often. We have the lead to give it a whirl.
With as often as it's happened I have to think it's coming from the coaches. You can tell his pull-ups are unnatural for him which makes me think he is having one of those "oh yeah...coaches want us to slow up"
Mutts played MY's plan to perfection tonight....he was the distributor.....that's what MY needed to beat the pack line.
Mutts needs two assists and four points for a triple double. Go Justyn.
Drink.....(look up)
Gonna have to take back my Camden slander
Rewound and watched. That was 5.5 seconds
Yah didn't understand the call there
Just ridiculous how poor we are at breaking this press, especially with how many stoppages there have been
I agree but at the same time Syracuse is getting away with a lot of contact on some of these steals
Yeah commented on that above but too many times our guards have it with space and are allowing two Orange defenders to close in before moving
Missed that, I will happily drink!
Feel like we've broken it pretty decently
When Pedulla has been on the floor....which hasn't been a lot haha
Poteat murdered that guy
Suck it Boeheim. You got spanked.
Where's Maddox?
Missed game due to family emergency
I like low stress wins
Hate taking the shot clock violation there. Counts as a turnover
both teams with 15 TO. But we outscored them 24 - 14 on points off turnovers.
Fam
Good win tonight but man we look terrible against the press. I was hoping Pedulla would help it out but even when he was in it was still ugly trying to break it. Props to Camden and Collins for playing some huge minutes tonight. Basile and Mutts were ripping that 2-3 zone up all night.
Impressed with Camden D on Taylor and his gamer plays on loose balls, rebounds (had 6) and 3 assists. He's 6-9 with perimeter skills and post ability. As he gets comfortable with game spoed he'll be a match up problem. Dude had Indiana, Fla, Syr offers out of HS.
Edit... After the three missed shots the team picked him up at the timeout, encouraging him to press on.
And seeing Taylor up close... Wow thats a star in the making. Hate we missed on him
Yeah, Camden is a super long dude and that really helps him out defense. I wouldn't be surprised if his wingspan is pushing near seven feet lol. He still looks unsure of himself on offense, but I was impressed with how he stepped up and delivered good minutes. He kept shooting when good opportunities presented themselves too, so he did great there. I felt like you could feel Cassell getting a bit frustrated after he missed three 3's in a row, but I noticed his team encouraging him in that timeout too.
This was an encouraging game from Camden. Like you mentioned, he was a 4 star recruit with a nice offer list. But he basically missed all of his freshman year with injuries and just hasn't played much basketball. So its essentially like we're playing a true freshman out there from an experience stand point. It's taken time for him to get acclimated to P5 college ball like it does many freshman and he's also shaking off rust since he hasn't really played competitive ball since HS. He really struggled in the early games for us this season but did well here, hopefully a sign that he's figuring it out and more good things are to come