HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (13-8, 3-7) VS MIAMI (16-5, 7-4) 7PM ESPNU

HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (13-8, 3-7) VS MIAMI (16-5, 7-4) 7PM ESPNU

Miami (16-5, 7-4 ACC)
vs. Virginia Tech (13-8, 3-7 ACC)
January 31, 2023
Watsco Center
7 p.m. ET
ESPNU
Mike Monaco and Malcolm Huckaby

Zach Mackey and Mike Burnop

U down for a win....
The Hokies are coming off a good win at home but have struggled on the road. They go up against a strong guard driven Miami squad. Miami has played in a number of close games with eight of the last ten decided by three baskets or less.

Coach giving himself the L

The Hurricanes are coached by Jim Larranaga, who is in his tenth season as head coach at Miami. Larranaga is 242-146 overall guiding the Hurricanes. Prior to Miami, Larranaga had a 14-year run at George Mason where he took the Patriots to the Final Four in 2006. He has led the 'Canes to four NCAA Tournament appearances and an ACC title in 2013.

Defensively, Coach Larranaga primarily employs man-to-man, with the scramble 3-2 zone as a secondary defense. A combination of the two is a series of zones that he calls the Camouflage, which is used strategically as a surprise defense that forces the offense to react to the defense. Once the opponent gets used to a man-to-man and the scramble, the Camouflage defense puts them on their heels immediately. The Camouflage is used most in a full court setting. Each pass, trap, deflection and player responsibility is analyzed.

When they play man-to-man defense, the focus is retaining inside position to facilitate defensive rebounding and limiting second chance opportunities. The ability to box out was also a huge component of Pitt's game plan against the Hokies. Limiting the Hokies second chances will be a huge focus for the Hurricanes.

Offensively, Coach Larranaga typically has his teams playing a form of Zone offense with a specific focus on the use of ball screens to give shooters separation. He emphasizes ball movement, man movement, screening, dribble penetration, and offensive rebounding.

Based on the defensive setting of their opponent, Miami uses three variations of the zone offenses. These are:
Slice & Dice Zone Offense – Use versus a 2-3, 3-2 or 1-2-2 zone. This offense uses four players on the perimeter and one post to force the defense to move, communicate and change their match ups.
Crack & Carve Zone Offense – Use versus a 2-3, 3-2 or 1-2-2 zone. This power game offense utilizes two post players inside and allows them to carve out space, set screens and create good shots for themselves and the perimeter players.
Seek & Find Zone Offense – Use versus a 1-3-1 defense. This offense uses a 4-Out formation and diagonal passing, down screens, back screens and penetration to break down the zone and create open shots. After the game against Pitt expect this to be a common approach against the Hokies for any team with solid perimeter shooters.

Hurricanes Backcourt

Isaiah Wong
2 JR G 6-3 180
Piscataway, NJ Monsignor Bonner (PA) 76 (2019)
16.2 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 3.6 Ast

Jordan Miller
11 SR G 6-6 202
Middleberg, VA Loudoun Valley HS
15.0 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 2.4 Ast

Nijel Pack
24 SO G 6-0 180
Indianapolis, IN Lawrence Central HS
12.0 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 2.5 Ast

Wooga Poplar
55 SO G 6-5 195
Philadelphia, PA Math, Civics and Sciences Charter School
7.4 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 1.3 Ast

Bensley Joseph
4 SO G 6-1 195
Arlington, MA Putnam Science Academy 92 (2021)
5.4 Pts, 2.3 Reb, 2.3 Ast

Harlond Beverly
5 JR G 6-5 185
Detroit, MI Montverde Academy 56 (2019)
3.4 Pts, 1.0 Reb, 1.3 Ast

Hurricanes Frontcourt

Norchad Omier
15 SO F 6-7 230
Bluefields, Miami Prep
13.5 Pts, 10.4 Reb, 1.2 Ast

Anthony Walker
1 JR F 6-9 210
Baltimore, MD Brewster Academy
3.0 Pts, 1.4 Reb, 0.1 As

What to expect from Miami?

As a team the Hurricanes are shooting 36% from the perimeter on 19.1 attempts per game in ACC play. Wong and Miller are their consistent perimeter shooters.

Wong leads the way at 16.2 points per game. Nine players are getting 10 or more minutes a contest so a fairly balanced workload.

Miami has been consistently out-rebounded in ACC play, mainly due to their size. Outside of Walker and Omier their lineup are all 6'7 or smaller. They are however well balanced in this category, as all nine players average at least three rebounds. They are led by Walker and Wong, who both average better than 5 rebounds per game. Brooks and Walker both average almost one block per contest, with the team better than four per game.

The Hokies

The Hokies need to focus on getting Basile or Mutts the ball down low. The Hurricanes smaller lineup has made it very difficult for them to protect inside.

Coach Young will need his guys to keep Miami honest by hitting their open shots on the perimeter. Hopefully Collins and Cattoor can help the Hokies here.

Tech needs to protect the basketball, especially Mutts and Pedulla. Miami forces opponents into 12.8 turnovers per game in ACC play and convert 13 points per game in transition. In addition they must force Miami into mistakes.

The Hokies must slow down Wong, whohas the dual ability to shoot from the perimeter but is more likely to beat defenders off the dribble to the basket.

Basile, Kidd and Mutts must be able to position themselves inside to get offensive rebounds. Miami opponents right now average 11.6 offensive rebounds per game on thirty-two missed shot attempts.

Highlight of the Game
Mutts doing everything to carve a team up.

In Closing

The Hokies must avoid going under screens and must force Miami inside the perimeter.

The Hokies must find a way to balance out the rebounds. They have a major size advantage

There will be at least four Hokies in double figures. Basile continues his trend of improved play. Collins keeps his rhythm, Mutts gets it done inside, and Cattoor is a video game highlight.

Hokies storm in and quell the Hurricanes. Hokies come in confident after the Syracuse performance. Hokies win 71-65.

Three Popcorns: Still never sure what team will take the floor.

Confidence Factor: