HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: Miami (11-4) At Virginia Tech (10-5) 7PM ACCN
Cassell will be ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ tonight โก๏ธ๐ฐDon't miss @HokiesMBB take on Miami at 7 p.m. ET for its Shoes 4 Hope Night! pic.twitter.com/fTJ3hnfTG0โ HokieSports (@hokiesports) January 13, 2024
Miami (11-4)
At Virginia Tech (10-5)
January 13th, 2024
Cassell Coliseum
7 p.m. ET
ACCN
Virginia Tech Sports Network
ACCN
Play-by-Play: Kevin Brown
Analyst: Debbie Antonelli
Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop
Current Spread: Hokies -2.5
Over/Under: -154.5
Saturday Showdown in the Cassell ๐ฐโผ๏ธ๐ Miami๐ 7PM๐บ ACCN๐ค @CarilionClinic#StoneByStone x #Hokies pic.twitter.com/u3qc8FiEWdโ Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 13, 2024
Can they carry the offensive momentum?
The Hokies welcome Miami to a sold-out Cassell. The Hokies come off a surprising upset of #21 Clemson. They shot 54% from the floor, putting on an offensive clinic.
The Miami Hurricanes squad comes in 11-4 and losers of two straight. They come in having just lost to 6-9 Louisville at home. They let the Cardinals score the final nine points in an 80-71 loss. This will be the 48th meeting between the Hokies and Miami. The Hokies are 20-27 overall against the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes best win was over a ranked Clemson. The Hurricanes were ranked as high as 8th this season before a loss to Kentucky. Their other two losses are to Colorado by 27 and Wake by four.
The Hurricanes are coached by Jim Larranaga, who is in his eleventh season as head coach at Miami. Larranaga is 266โ153 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 five NCAA Tournament appearances including a Final Four run last season and an ACC title in 2013.
Miami got one transfer in second leading scorer Matthew Cleveland from FSU. They had three freshman enroll but only freshman commit Kyshawn George has played meaningful minutes. Michael Nwoko has played sparingly in almost every game and Paul Djobet has gotten on the floor for clean-up minutes.
The starting five are Norchad Omier, Matthew Cleveland, Wooga Poplar, Nijel Pack, and Bensley Joseph. All five starters are on the court at least 28 minutes per game. The only other player to start a game this season for Miami is Kyshawn George when Pack and Poplar each missed two games. He averages about twenty minutes per game. Miami only goes two more deep on the bench in Christian Watson and AJ Casey.
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.
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. The team on the floor for the majority of the game will be relatively small compared to other ACC teams, with the tallest player on the floor at 6'7. That said they are much faster than most teams.
Hurricanes Backcourt
Matthew Cleveland
0 JR G 6-7 200
16.1 Pts, 5.7 Reb, 1.9 Ast
Wooga Poplar
5 JR G 6-5 195
16.3 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 2.2 Ast
Nijel Pack
24 JR G 6-0 180
13.2 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 4.1 Ast
Bensley Joseph
4 JR G 6-1 195
8.8 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 3.9 Ast
Kyshawn George
7 FR G 6-8 205
7.1 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 2.0 Ast
Christian Watson
3 SO G 6-7 211
3.8 Pts, 1.8 Reb, 1.1 Ast
Hurricanes Frontcourt
Norchad Omier
15 JR F 6-7 230
17.5 Pts, 9.6 Reb, 1.2 Ast
AJ Casey
23 SO F 6-9 221
2.8 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 0.4 Ast
Michael Nwoko
1 FR C 6-10 245
1.9 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.2 Ast
What to expect from Miami?
The Hurricanes will run primarily a four guard and one smaller forward set. They want to create turnovers and get into transition, but they just don't seem to be able to do it consistently. They struggle at closing out on the perimeter. In their losses, teams are shooting 40% from the perimeter and 52% overall.
Four starters average in double figures but in the last two ACC games they have struggled to deliver the same kind of performance. Against Louisville, only Cleveland and Poplar delivered. Against Wake, it went to OT, but similar to the Hokies against Wake, they were dominated in the paint and couldn't finish in the final minutes.
The Hurricanes might have the second most productive transfer in the ACC in Matthew Cleveland. He has shot 46% from three and 59% overall this season. He shoots far less outside so the percentage there is misleading. He attempts only 2.7 outside shots per game, his real impact is creating off the dribble with blow by speed.
Omier, while lacking size has the athletic ability to score inside against the true bigs in the ACC. He is averaging nearly a double-double at 16.3 ppg and 9.8 rpg. He gets excellent positioning and is physical enough to maintain. He has an excellent first step dribble inside which allows him to get to the rim.
Freshman Kyshawn George has seemed to flourish in ACC play, averaging 10.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.5 apg. He takes a ton of outside shots. He has attempted at least 8 threes in four of their last five games so expect to see Larranaga put him in as a change of pace guy teamed up with Peck and Poplar trying to free up perimeter shots by having three shooters on the floor. These three take roughly 75% of all shots from the perimeter.
The Hokies
The sporadic shooting outside continued in a positive way, seeing the Hokies shoot 54% from outside. It made it a blowout win. Shooting that way isn't sustainable but it shows that if they can be consistent, they should stay in most games.
Not sure why Clemson went away from scoring inside, but it helped the Hokies. In this game there isn't as much threat that Miami will dominate inside. The biggest challenge from the Hurricanes will be keeping up with their speed. Kidd has an opportunity to get back on track with a significant size advantage.
Pedulla and Nickel both had career high games, accounting for 56 of the Hokies 87 points. They combined to hit 11 three pointers. The most impressive part of the game though may have been that the Hokies got assists on 17 of 31 baskets in the game. It was a much better ratio than their games against Wake and FSU.
Built on the right stuff ๐ฏ @PedullaSean pic.twitter.com/PlIqC1EHvDโ Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 12, 2024
The turnovers were not a major concern against Clemson. Both teams had 11 each. They managed to limit this impact, but Miami has more active hands than the Tigers. They are aggressive on perimeter passing which may put the Hokies in a similar situation of giving up transition baskets. Pedulla needs to not force the ball to try to make things happen.
Do not expect much change in Coach Young's personnel selection. He doesn't need to change the lineup to be competitive with the Hurricanes configuration on the court.
The only lingering question is whether Hunter Cattoor is cleared to play. He will be evaluated today, and a decision made. If he is out, expect Tyler Nickel or Mehki Long to start. The starting five would be Kidd, Collins, Pedulla, Beran and either Nickel or Long.
In Closing
The biggest aspect that will turn this game is how the Hokies stay in front on defense. Disrupting Miami on the perimeter will be key to winning this game. Missing Hunter Cattoor who is the Hokies best perimeter defender would add to this challenge. Miami scores inside but it struggles against teams with stout defenders in the paint as they lack size.
Cassell is sold out for all remaining home games so the crowd will deliver what it can. I am curious what Cassell Guard was doing dressed up in hockey jerseys at the Clemson game and if that's going to be a regular thing. Used to them being decked out in Hokie swag so seeing Bruins, Capitals, Penguins and Rangers gear was kind of strange.
Comments
LET'S GO!!!
HOKIES!!!
Believe the last game they did something for the club hockey team and that was who was in the jerseys
Gotcha. I know the club had several players go to Europe to play in an AllACC hockey team in a tournament over there.
Teams latest game didn't go so hot. A 7-0 loss to the Tarholes
First time in ten years that we will face a Miami team without Isaiah Wong.
Feels like Pack is the new Wong. Somehow he is only listed as a Junior.
Meanwhile Hokies former coach losing his mind in OT over a really aggregious call on Radford. Radford hit a three that would have put A&M up 97-89. They called Radford for offensive foul for kicking his legs out to make contact but did not appear he had. Looks like Aggies will beat Kentucky anyway.
how on earth is he still playing, wasn't he on the Sweet 16 team??
He red shirted on the sweet 16 team plus add in a covid year
so he'll be around till about 2030 then
Brent defends his players to the hilt.
Watching that game I was surprised to see Wabissa Bede on the bench. Looks like he was hired as part of the support staff
Cattoor was ruled out
We're on. And we're ahead at the under 16 timeout.
Poteat starting to pick up bad habits from Kidd. Trying to do the floater rather than taking it up to basket.
Frustrating to watch. We should be running away with this game. We keep making dumb mistakes and missing open shots.
Collins getting familiar with that broad side of the barn
Smart play by Pedulla to draw the foul on Omier in transition
How did we not end this game in the first 10 min. Getting a little too comfy chucking up threes instead of working the middle it seems while Miami was grasping for straws
Absolutely sloppy way to end the half. Just went to sleep on defense the final two minutes
I typed the same comment twice and it didn't load right but anyway the ACCN color guy is enjoying Pedulla.
SMH. Too many (7) turnovers. Outscored 18-8 on points in the paint and 8-2 on points off turnovers. Need to slow down when you don't have numbers and run the offense before jacking up an early shot-clock three.
Getting beat inside by Miami over and over. Just asleep at the wheel.
Pedulla might as well have handed him the ball
HOKIES have more soft, telegraphed passes than any team I've ever seen. I just don't understand it.
Nickel has to make open shots, especially with Cattoor out. This team needs him to score. If I remember correctly, he broke the VHSL scoring record in high school. Somehow, he needs to find that guy within himself.
We haven't shot ANY free throws. WTF
1st FT of the game at the 8:30 mark on the 2H.
only 13 total fouls in the first half.
Seems to have settled back down.
Just doesn't make sense how often Miami has had easy paint points. Poteat just got worked by a 6'7 guy
Most Beran play ever
WTH, Beran? Loose the ball going to shoot a 3.
Cmon beran.....
If I had a nickel for every time Pedulla has fired a 3, bricked it bad, it rockets back to him, and he drains the rebound for three tonight, I'd have two nickels
Which you had a Tyler Nickel for it.
Oh Beran, you give me so much ammo
Long with the laziest pass ever.
Lazy passing
We are trying to give this game away.
WT FLYING F
Asleep out there...this is where Young not being a yeller or any of his coaches is bad. Just no motivator or wake up call.
Long made me nervous with that lob into Kidd too lmao luckily it worked out but it was begging to be picked
Scouting report - you cannot give Poplar that much space behind the arc
So we go inside and start making all the high percentage shots right about the same time Miami starts hitting 3s & free throws
Of course that bank goes in
30 and 10 for Pedulla
Unbelievable
That ball hit the top of the square from the edge of the VT logo, and it still went in.
Wessler ever gonna see the court?
Not much in ACC play. Barely got in during blow out wins earlier
Not developing or what? I'd probably be portaling if I'm him
Defense is the big issue. Young isn't happy with his play on defense. His family still seems solidly behind him being here.
I mean, 3 or 4 of our regular rotation is a defensive liability. Can it be much worse?
he's not ready
he could barely keep up in the garbage time minutes he has played.
He's not quite a 7 foot tall walk-on but at his current level of strength of conditioning that's about all that he's capable of this year.
he's got good hands, and a good jump shot, he's just gotta keep building strength and developing footwork / defensive positioning
You e got to score and get stops. We're not doing either.
And the stops we've made and their missed shots were met with our turnovers that continually failed to make MIA pay.
How to blow a game 101
Fucking bush league officiating crew. Missed the travel on the out of bounds and the WWE move on Pedulla.
I agree. They did miss the travel.
And the WWE maneuver on Pedula. Ridiculous
We're going to lose a game we had 69% chance to win (according to acc).
And officials fuck us over to pretty much end the game
Yo, fuck these refs ๐คฃ
We letting the worst shooter on the team take the tying 3? ๐ซ
Why tf is Collins taking that?!?
Unbelievable
Just don't understand what Young is telling these guys
Stop making stupid turnovers and make more shots.
Bad home loss and it's almost predicable at his point.
VT 15 turnovers.
Miami 15 points off turnovers.
How big was the three point play to end the half now? Failed to step on their throats in the first half and threw this one away.
Or like when we were up 10 and Miami couldn't even hit the backboard why did we just keep jacking up threes instead of letting Kidd cook inside for the almost guaranteed two to extend the lead
15 TO's and lopsided fouls 18-12 resulting in FT advantage killed us.
MJ Collins has absolutely no consistency on the offensive end. I don't understand why is getting so much time (obviously excluding the Hunter injury).
I really don't understand why Collins gets so much time either. He's a liability on the offensive end. We have better scorers who can't be that much worse on defense.
care to name them?
Collins get's 23.3 minutes per game, good enough for 5th on the team, despite not playing in 2 games.
Behind him, in minutes, are Beran, Long, and Poteat. All of whom are forwards. To find the next comparable player, you'd have to go to 9th on the team in Rechsteiner, who is getting about 60% of the minutes of Collins.
Collins also happens to be the #5 scorer on the team. at 5.3 points per game. The next four highest scorers are all forwards, so we drop all the way to #10, also Rechsteiner, who is averaging half of Collins offensive output.
So the next closest guard is getting 60% the minutes, but accruing just 1/2 the points. Maybe there is another offensive stat that fixes the point.
Another thing a guard should be doing is being a crisp passer. Collins and Rechsteiner are tied with 30 assists on the year. Advantage Rechsteiner. But those passes have to make it to the next Hokie, so where are they in turnovers? Rechsteiner has only 1 fewer turnover than Collins. So ATO is definitely in Collins' favor.
Now to the defensive end. How disruptive are they? Collins is third on the team in steals behind Cattoor and Pedulla, while the next closest guard, Nickel has just 2/3rds of the steals Collins has, despite 25% more minutes played.
It's also noted that Collins has more blocks among guards than Pedulla, Young, Rechsteiner, Ward, and Venable; granted it's just 1.
If the Hokies play four guard lineups, the best fourth guard for that lineup is Collins. Yes he is the worst 3 point shooter who actually has hit one this year, but the one who is closest to being the #4 on the lineup, Rechsteiner (IMO) is only shooting about 5% better, despite also shooting 15% worse from the FT line.
Take away four days in Brooklyn two years ago and Mike Young would be on the hot seat right now....
We have made more really clean passes directly to the other team than any other season I can think of. We just go on game streaks where we refuse to make a crisp pass to the correct team.
The commentators were rightfully confused by Pedullas hook pass that gets picked off 90% of the time
I fundamentally reject the idea this team isn't talented enough to win. This is a system problem more than it is a talent problem.
Chris Coleman points straight to scoring numbers and says only two guys can score. Well if you looked at Joe Bamisile, Darren Buchanen and Darius Maddox's numbers you would say that they can't score. All three are averaging well into double figures at their new schools.
Mike Young's teams would be so much better if we had two or three guys who could consistently drive the lane, stopped taking bad shots and actually played transition basketball.
I will give him some credit where it's due, we have sped up the tempo more toward where I believe we should be playing. And the team is playing much better defense than earlier in the year and better than last year imo.
Tough to win in the ACC when you are extremely careless with the ball.
Hokies are averaging a -4 turnover margin in conference play. 69 in 5 games. In the two wins, 9 and 11. In the three losses, 18, 16 and 15.
Tonight Miami scored 15 points off turnovers while the Hokies scored 12. Free throw line was another seven point swing for Miami but most of that was intentional fouls to extend the game.
Hokies had a +10 rebounding margin but still managed to lose.
Are we ready to have a conversation about Mr Young or is he still riding that one mediocre season + great ACC tourney?
Anyone else tired of announcers calling Poteat and Kidd transfers after they have been here for 3 years? I know it's technically true, but at this point they have more time at Tech then their previous school.