Comparing the Hokies and Buckeyes for tonight's matchup, the two teams have a number of similarities this late in the game, and some pretty significant differences, as well.
Both teams are expected to play between 6 and 7 players, depending on situations. In both instances, those players have accounted for almost every minute during their respective runs. The 6 of Virginia Tech have accounted for all but one minute, while the 7 of Ohio State have accounted for all but 14. Also, for both teams, their primary contributors are up 2 minutes per quarter of gametime.
Looking at those who play those minutes, only one player for Ohio State, 6-4 Forward Mikulasikova, is over 6-0 and she has only been playing for less than 3 minutes per quarter so far this tournament. If she is unable to go, or is not effective, Kitley could have a monster night. The only other player above 6-0
Ohio State is known for their aggressive press defense, but can that group of 6 (assuming they go press instead of size), used to playing 26.75 minutes per game each hold up playing 30.6+, while the Hokies 6 major contributors are used to 30.7 per night.
Scoring-wise, Ohio State is 6 points per game under their season scoring averages among those 7 major contributors. Virginia Tech is only down 2. This may be an issue as the offensive averages are now OSU +7 instead of OSU +11. This can be a major factor as Ohio State has the 2nd worst scoring D in this quarter of the bracket. (Only St. Louis was worse). Perhaps even more concerning for Ohio State is that they are, by far, the worst FG% Defense, although they are decent guarding threes.
While not the best comparisons, the Buckeyes' scoring offense is most similar to Florida State and their scoring defense is most similar to Syracuse; two teams the Hokies beat by 14 and in both instances, the ACC foes were better than Ohio State in the opposite stats as well.
Comments
Let's Go!
Hokies!
From my eyes, the Hokies biggest kryptonite is the press. Every time a team has set up the press, they have had their struggles. They either beat it quickly or have horrendous turnover... If they can beat their press effectively, I like the lady Hokies chances
Yeah in my full disclosure of watching some or most of 4 games this season, I have noticed our weakest link is breaking the press. I was hoping it was something Brooks could rectify quickly as the tournament went on, but it appears not as much so. That'll be a big difference tonight because then Kitley can FEAST.
Ohio State has to score to set up the press, good team defense and rebounding may be our best way to break the press.
Ohio State is out rebounded by their opponents by 2 per game
Virginia Tech outrebounds their opponents by 6.9 (Ni.ce)
When breaking the press the Hokies need to pernitrate all the way to the top of the key. At least inside the three point line. They can't stop just past the half court line. That's where the trap will happen. The trap needs to be avoided.
I just hope the Hokies have recovered from the muggings that Tennessee was doling out, that for some reason the refs mostly didn't see.
I think the key for us is getting stops on defense. If they don't make shots, they can't set up the press.
Additionally, against 5 common opponents, the Hokies are 8-0 with a margin of +73 (~9 per game), while Ohio State is 5-0 with a margin of +60 (12 per game)
Meaning the Hokies beat 3 of those common five twice?
ACC teams (UNCheat, BC and Loserville)
I'll just stick my tables in here and we can use this for the game thread. The game is on ESPN at 9 tonight; the Hokies are favored by 3. The over/under is 141. If the refs are not blind tonight, fouls may be an issue. OSU has had 15 players foul out of a game this year. McMahon has fouled out 4 times; Thierry 6; Harris 1 and Mikulasikova 2 times.
OSU averages 33.5% from three. Mikesell is the biggest threat shooting almost 41% and making a little over 3 per game on almost 8 attempts. They shoot over 46% overall probably because they get a lot of layups off the press.
They will may have to start Mikulasikova just to have someone to guard Kitley; if she has foul problems, OSU may not have anyone who can guard Liz. But she only played 4 minutes against UConn and 11 min against UNC.
If we can break the press, I like our chances.
LET'S GO HOKIES!
on the call tonight the announcers will say that's 23 up for the shot.
5/7 of OSU's losses have been by more than 10 points, including demolitions of 36 by Maryland and 33 by Iowa. Seems like if a team can beat the press, OSU gets destroyed. If they get beat, they get beat. I'm going to trust Coach Brooks and hope we have a solid game plan tonight.
Never thought I would be thankful that we played Duke and Louisville as much as we did. Duke presses hard and gave us issues the first time we played them. We adapted and have won every game since.
Good luck ladies! First break their press, then break their souls lol
Is this our best chance to win a National Championship? If so, I fully expect my heart to be broken over the next few rounds, if not tonight. Rooting for the WBB team though that's for sure.
As a Caps fan... This was my thoughts every year leading up to 2018 season lol. Never know when/if it's gonna happen, but when/if it does, it feels damn good and the past doesn't matter one bit
To close to the jinx! LMAO!
shush!!!
Until proven otherwise, we are playing to be the final sacrifice on the altar of USCe.
I agree but 👀 21-15 Maryland up on USCe after 1Q
Yup. Let's not talk any trash now and jinx it! Let it happen!
USCe was just playing with its food.
They look totally beatable if there's straight up clean fair refifng......
It was absolutely insane seeing the foul disparity, and especially the fouls that got marylands best player out of the game. Even the announcers, who were rooting hard for an sc/iowa matchup, commented on how md had "set up a tent" prior to being called for a block
This aged well. SC look unreal
Nothing against WBB but I am so desperate for a good Hokie team to root for that I am watching this game tonight. Go Ladies!
I see we're on pace for a 170-100 game.
I see they are letting them just hack Kitley again.
Good start need to keep going inside and after McMahon as well and get her in foul trouble. Curious to see how Ohio state presses the rest of the game
17-14 through 5 and a half minutes.
Ohio State shooting 75% and 100% from range, while the Hokies are shooting 70% and also 100% from range. All Hokies have scored.
I don't understand NCAAWBB refs. They never call anything under the basket. Absolute muggings. Even the announcers keep saying "hands all over her, but no call".
Three different players at once with hands on her arms
This is insane
As good as Kitley is, she has a glaring weakness in her game... She must have the weakest hands in all of WBB. She cannot hold onto the ball. Additionally, I'd love to see her be assertive much faster when she gets the ball. She waits far too long to do anything with the ball when she receives a pass.
EDIT: To be fair, she does get a ton of attention when she gets the ball, so...
She doesn't have weak hands. She has soft hands. It's helpful for her touch. But you lose the strength to over power.
Hook. Then lower the shoulder and push off. Blocking foul?
Gregg feet set so ....
I see OSU has pulled back their press in favor of mugging our players under the basket, but hey, at least we beat the press?
We were beating their press and would have run them out of the gym. They pulled back and went "rough". Since the refs aren't calling it, might as well stick with what works.
Thanks, I hate it.
Okay. Their coach is wearing a pinkie ring.
Bit sloppy to end the quarter need to get the offense back on track.
Offense was stifled in the second 10 minutes, gotta start hitting shots again
Interesting that they have abandoned the press. Our team defense has not been sharp so far. Also, we're shooting 3's outside of the flow of the offense. Gregg shooting 3's is exactly what OSU wants us to do. Hoping Brooks draws up some adjustments for the 2nd quarter.
Now that they've stopped pressing. We need to go inside out with Kitley. They are doubling (and tripling) her, so she needs to see it and kick back out to the open shooter.
Kitley should be absolutely dominating in the paint. Huge mismatch. I hope we can make some adjustments.
She needs stronger hands. Seems easy for shorter players to slap it away.
Ohio State shooting the lights out at 73% and 75% from range, while the Hokies are shooting 47% and 37.5% from range.
Sheesh are there even refs at the game? Haven't watched much wbb but no idea if the lack of foul calls is the norm or exception here. Arm slapping on everything inside the 3 point line
Several trips by OSU as well. This reffing is dogshit
Wow. Actually called a reaching foul 30' out.
OSU has one of the worst defensive efficiencies. Yet, we're 2 for our last 10.
Dammit. She's out. Concussion.
Her knees buckled as soon as she stood up.
I think they're gonna try to four corners us. Press hard for the 1st 5, then soft for the next 10, then hard for the next 5.
With Amoore going out they're going back to press. She was single handedly breaking it.
Well thats not good
Watching the shakey legs like that makes me think amoore is done for the night with a concussion, that's really really discouraging
Thanks for making this a fucking contact game refs.
Welp... That's not good.
Welp
If they actually called contact this shit wouldn't happen so much but they let alot go in these games and here we are. Hope she's okay that was a blindsided hit by a big defensive end right there
Getting truck sticked by someone 3x your size
will they review that for a flagrant?
Looks like it could be a concussion to me. Hope she's alright. Pretty woozy looking
If Amoore is done, so are we
I say just beat the fucking shit out of OSU now. Fuck them. Just hurt them every time down the floor. Fuck that shit.
Perhaps I saw it wrong, but don't understand your point guard setting a pick under the basket.
Cause she's tough as nails.
They run that post screen action a lot to try to get a switch on the big or the guard can slip and get an open jumper.
How they didn't call that a flagrant is beyond me
No intent or contact with elbows, etc. Was a hard hit, but don't think she meant to plow her over.
a flagrant 1 is literally defined as excessive contact during a live ball, or non-excessive contact above the shoulders. Intent is not part of a flagrant 1.
That looked textbook yet nothing came of it
Kitley looks absolutely lost tonight.
Damn. Cannot believe she's back
Ok she's back
Dunno how, but let's go!
I still say we go goon squad on them
Glad to see amoore back in, hope she's actually okay and just "im okay"-okay.
Need to make sure the threes are good looks. Too easy for kitley and soule to eat down low for us to be chucking threes
And she's BACK
Amoore back, nails a three.
...after missing one. But that's expected.
How was that a charge? When all of their drives are shoulders and push offs?
Feet were obviously not set. Total crap
"but she was on her toes" the announcer explains.
Really?
Why are we taking so many 3s with no one under the basket?
And when Kitley is there, her hands stay down despite having 6" on the defender
why are we taking so many three's instead of going under the basket?
I'm hoping Ohio State gets into foul trouble.
Blatant moving screen and Lobo bragging about the play behind the screen. So ridiculous
This OSU lick fest is unbearable.
These moving screens tho...
At some point Brooks has to see how they play here with Kitley off the floor....just looks lost
This... She is hurting the team atm.
Where is Kitley?
That was the latest foul call I've ever seen. BOTH players were on the floor and starting to get up.
...but I'll take it.
What a finish!
Why is Kitley not looking for the quick pass out of the double team?! This is so frustrating. And then we compound it by not working it to her when she has good position against a single defender.
It wouldn't be a big VT basketball game without an opponent going unconscious from 3
These refs do not understand how to call a charge.
Unbelievable.
That was the most obvious charge of the tourney....nope
The showed in slow mo and the announcers are like she was late. Yet you clearly see her feet set before getting knocked to the deck.
I do not understand what fouls are in this sport
With you. I think the refs just flip a coin to decide block vs charge.
Neither do the refs
On her toes, CHARGE! Feet set BLOCK! WTF is this shit refs
Brooks: "Serenity now".
I'm a leaf on the wind
I thought he was plotting murder 🤷♀️
He goes into his ice cave.
We need a meme of that look for sure
The male announcer sounds like he's trying to get into Lobo's pants.
They are a remarkably annoying pair.
23 can't not move when setting a pick.
Whistle comes after the ball is rebounded? Gafb
The baseline ref is going for the award for latest whistles of all time
Soule hit in the face. No review.
"Soule did a good job selling the contact" this announcer needs to GTFO
Yeah. Like last game when she took two consecutive punches to the face.
Ugly half of streaks. I'll take the same result in the 2H.
When we get to the final game against SouthKerliner Kitley is really going to have to step up her physicality. That's a physical team down low.
Kitley with a quiet 10 points in the first half.
Amoore has as many 3s this post season as Caitlin Clark
3 Hokies in double figures, Amoore just shy with 8, Traylor with 5.
Wow, VT with the lead at the half.
Sweet!
I believe we're in the elite portion now
Whatever it is, I'll take it.
Holly's mic is all over the place
Saturday's game too
I don't know how we are up at halftime
But I'll take it
Our shooting % went up
Theirs went down
What a game man!
3 point lead at Half! Smoke em in the 3rd!
Foul situation going into Halftime
Ohio State: Walker, Mikulasikova, and Harris with 2 each. McMahon, Sheldon, Mikesell, and Bristow with 1 each
Virginia Tech: Traylor and Gregg with 2 each. Geiman with 1.
Great update. I was wondering.
Come on here to cheer the ladies on and yall already on your game bitchin about refs
Welcome to the game thread where the refs alternate between inept and corrupt
Willfully negligent gets my vote.
need to limit our turnovers in the second half. we have 7. they have 6. but they've outscored us 14 - 5 on points off turnovers.
Love hearing the Hokies on the broadcast!
I'm hoping Mikesel comes out Mike sold.
She's used up her threes.
Mike's Old Lemonade
This is the kind of game where kitley is gonna have 18 and 10 but will feel like it could have been 30 and 20
We've gotta get her closer to those high numbers
Holy shit! Gimme a fucking break! These foul calls are garbage.
Love the moving screen. Even pushed her hip to make sure she got us. But. We get called for the foul.
Haha, OSU chick rides kitley like a boogie board. No call. VT reaches in for the steal touches a finger. Foul!
Kitley getting mad. Me likey
That's the Liz Kitley we've been waiting to see.
Kitley kinda looks congested. Maybe a little sick and that's why she looked off in first half?
Don't judge mouth breathers
McMahon is just a foul machine. She bills to the basket and never gets called for anything.
I thought jumping twice was travelling by definition
Looks like a rugby match under the goal: no call.
I really thing ESPN needs to include OSU in their commercials more. I think I saw one they weren't in.
I for one have thought this game has been ref'd pretty well
Especially compared to some of the men's games I've seen this month
Refs in the women's game are just bad in general. This game is no exception. Must be rejects from the Division III Mens game.
I hope a coach talks to Greg in the timeout here. McMahon wants to go right. Even in the cutting and screening action, she has to get on McMahon's right side to force her back left. It's your best chance to keep her from scoring.
This is spot on. Force her to her off hand.
And stand firm. She's going to run you over. They have to eventually call it.
That could have been a pass to Kitley, but there was an Ohio State ELBOW in her back.
Just giving up way to many easy lay ins
Phenomenal defense by gregg on that possession to get back in front of mcmahon and then stay there without fouling
Cannot believe this late into the season and how many teams underestimate how fast Amoore is.
Amoore rewarding Soule for running the court.
MOVE the ball!!!
That 10-second call only took 8 seconds of game clock 🤔
Is that a foul or a tackle?
Harris could audition for the next Mad Max movie.
Foul should have been on McMahon but I will take it
"It's so frustrating to have your time limited by fouls".
Then don't foul.
...when they haven't been calling as many fouls as you e been committing.
Mrs. Smlltwnsthrnlwyr is sitting in the corner still making jokes about this.
Is Ohio State really in the bonus too? I just don't remember us committing many fouls this quarter, and we only have 9 in the game
AMOORE
Amoore being "like Mike"!
Do you want any Amoore!!!!
Amoore is awesome!!
Goddamn
Hang her number in Cassell. Hang it now
Right next to our banner!
...and she has another year.
...our Final Four Banner!!!
Got a bit sloppy there at the end of the third, but what a way to end the quarter
Georgia Amore is a freaking savage y'all.
Amoore is a bad mama jamma.
Foul Situation going into the 4th:
Ohio State: Harris 4, Walker 3, Sheldon and Mikulasikova 2, McMahaon, Thierry, Mikesell, and Bristow at 1
Virginia Tech: Traylor 3, Gregg and King 2, Soule and Geiman 1
Dude Amoore! That woman had a family!
When Hokies hit a three
And they do it with ease
That's Amoore
looks like King has put the defensive clamps on mikesell (0 points in 3rd qtr).
How is Brooks standing there without a single bead of sweat. I'm sweating on my couch.
Ice Cave
How is McMahon getting all those foul calls?
She's good at being both aggressive enough to get to the basket and athletic enough to avoid a charge
it's a gift.
Literally.
Must be because they like her shoes.
Dad reminded me where I had seen Harris before
Keep Pressing Ohio State!
LETS GO
HOKIES!!!
HOKIES!!!
drink
That's what we need Kitley to do the rest of this game!
Oh. Hey Liz!
« Gorgeous spin move »
Shoulder to the breastbone
Wowza
I don't know if could do what Kitley's dad has to do night in and night out: watch players assault his daughter while the refs that are supposed to keep her safe fail to do so.
That inside-out with Liz and the Austrian Assassin is nice. Just need to bail the 3.
Liz could also fake it pulling the double off her and abuse the low post.
Just when they think Amoore is killing them.....hello Kitley.
O HAI LIZ
Use the whole clock.
Go clock go
Go Clock Go
GO CLOCK GO
GO CLOCK GO
The foul trouble is a little worrying, as they can score with the clock stopped and set up the press.
Finally called that foul under the basket?
Holy rugby scrum Batman lol
Hold my breath every time amoore hits the floor
How have they gotten every jump ball (tie up)? Doesn't it alternate?
Fouls adding up for OS
Dagger!
DOUBLE DOUBLE FOR KITLEY
Get Kitley that double double
#1 arguing. Better hold on her cause that's 5.
Lamelo Ball not happy with the foul call there
Don't slow down too much. Stay with your game.
Someone on Ohio State has to be in foul trouble.
Harris and Mikulasikova both have 4
#1 and #23 both have 4
It's just one girl after another stepping up. Traylor. Soule. King. Kitley. Amoore. All of em.
Good TO there.
Lobo is licking the whole horseshoe looking for a little man in the boat to give OSU some love,
Harris is gone.
5 fouls, no points
Night night Harris.
At least she didn't go all Tennessee on anybody.
Lobo too much t-glottalling.
Bye Rikki!
Thank you Cayla
How important was that BS call on King earlier?
Just keep the free throws going
Suddenly calling every touch foul.
Only way they can keep oSU in the game.
McMahon literally ran over Gregg. Even grabbed her to make sure she hit Gregg.
Eh that was a pretty hard foul by Gregg. You can't run into the hip of the ball handler like that on a breakaway.
Running side by side, she cuts into you, foul - on you.
Damn good hip check. NHL worthy.
No, they were applauding that she got up, not the "effort".
Press Amoore. I dare you.
I'm not going to miss these announcers
Bush league level.
Make free throws and guard the 3 point line
ok, well
Would be more relaxed if we had a 10 point lead. 4 possessions seems unreachable against out D.
Just don't let anyone get injured here....plus side Harris is out who was the biggest thug.
LOVE hearing the let's go Hokies chant!
my garmin watch just told me to take a minute and relax. heart rate has been above 100 for a while now
I heard Georgia Amoore once saved Rebecca Lobo from a Croc in the billabong. She stole the croc's tooth and Lobo's soul.
Let's all just admit that it's pretty badass for Ryan Day to be coaching the OSU womens basketball team.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who saw that.
Let's say they have a type.
Pillow talk between the announcers.... Yuck
Kitley block to seal it
Haven't seen a rejection like that since BraggHokie's bud talking to a girl in TOTS.
🤣🤣
Haha the ultimate rejection
Rejected!!!!
I can smell it.
I can taste it. And it tastes an awful lot like Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit.
Off her face!
KITLEY!!
that block is gonna live in gif infamy
Holy shit, they're going to the Final Four
Joe - we get a giftory, right????
I want one of Kenny just standing still, ice cold, stone faced.
Watch that Mikesell... she's sneaky off the pick.
Jesus. Hard foul much?
OSU continuing to mug
Uh, OSU make a basketball play pls lol
That looked like a flagrant foul.
You can foul without putting her on the ground.
FINAL FOUR FAM
Being the overall 4th seed is prophetic... FINAL FOUR BABY!
FINAL FUCKING FOUR
They did it fam!!!!!! LETS GO
Final Four!!!!!
FAM!
final four!
I forgive these announcers. That game end call gave me chills.
When we get that last score
And go to the final four
That's Amoore
WE DID IT
These girls are really special. I love them all. And Kenny Brooks.
2023 Post-season comparison:
Ohio State Elite 8 wins: 0
Virginia Tech Elite 8 wins: 1