Buzzketball Saws Off Wake Forest 81-80

Jalen Hudson goes off as the Hokies advance in the ACC Tournament

Jalen Hudson HAM [The Atlantic Coast Conference]

We had seen this movie before.

Near the end of the most stellar performance of his freshman season, Jalen Hudson had a chance to put things away for Virginia Tech. Two weeks ago, the guard missed a layup and the opportunity to beat Duke.

On Tuesday, down one in the opening round of the ACC Tournament against Wake Forest, Hudson had the ball again. As the final seconds ticked away, he crossed over, took it to the rack and brought it home.

It brought his point total to 32, a career high, and illustrated yet again the insane amount of talent that rests in his Nikes. More importantly, however, Hudson's final shot brought his team a win.

For the entire season, I've written that Buzz Williams' team had done many of the things that it took to win. Game-to-game they would do things like contain Boston College's Olivier Hanlan or limit rebounding opportunities against NC State. Despite doing those things, the Hokies would still find ways to lose.

It was the complete opposite against the Demon Deacons. Their two stars, Devin Thomas and Codi Miller-McIntyre, combined for 45 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. Tech's lone big man Satchel Pierce battled foul trouble all day and played only five minutes. That in turn lead to Thomas' dominance inside as well as a Wake advantage on the boards.

On top of all that, the Hokies surrendered a 10 point halftime lead as their opponent strung together a 17-2 run early in the second period. In a matter of a few minutes, nearly everything that could have gone wrong did just that.

This time, though, it didn't matter. Hudson and friends kept the team afloat, and rallied in the face of another potentially gut-wrenching loss.

We've been monitoring the growth of the young guys that populate the roster since November. There has been discussion after discussion, forum topic after forum topic about the often polarizing freshman who have been forced into heavy action all year long.

Obviously, Hudson had himself a game. But if you looked closer you'd have seen more than one newby stepping up and providing important contributions to the win.

Justin Bibbs showed a mature ability to shake off a rocky start (1-6 from the field) and hit three crucial shots to keep Tech in it with ten minutes to go.

Ahmed Hill had a vital stretch later on in the half. With his team down four, Hill got a steal and promptly sank two free ones. He was then directly responsible for the next six Hokie points, assisting on a Malik Mueller three and then banging home a triple himself, both of which kept them within reach of the lead. Without Hill, Tech could have easily seen this one slip away with five to go.

And then, there was Hudson. The oft-maligned youngster came out of the gate red hot and never looked back. What was arguably the most impressive aspect of his performance, however, were not the highlight reel dunks or the game winning layup. It was that Tech's most impactful player wasn't afraid to take the ball to the basket as the minutes dwindled down.

He was fouled a bunch, and the 59 percent free throw shooter stepped up and nailed every single attempt from the charity stripe that came his way. 10 for 10, six of which came in crunch time.

This squad has been growing up right before our eyes. As the year has gone along, I've had knocks on each of the young guys. And you know what? Nearly every one of them addressed those critiques, and threw them in my face today.

Bibbs recovered after a slow start and didn't let prior misses impact his game. Hill used his athleticism to its fullest, yet played in control and finished at the line. Devin Wilson showed those active hands on defense that had been missing in many conference games. Mueller and Shane Henry didn't get a ton of PT, but made it count when they saw the floor.

It's no secret that I like this team, probably more than I should as an "unbiased journalist." But who am I kidding? I'm in the tank for what Buzz is trying to do in Blacksburg. I'm head over heels for the talent I see in flashes from Hudson, Hill and Bibbs.

And most importantly, I believe that this team could be legitimately good. I'm certainly not making any promises for tomorrow night's game against Miami, and I know that next year will be it's own challenge. But the future, that thing looks brighter every day.

But no matter what happens against the Hurricanes we will all have this win, players coaches and fans alike. Sure, it's a last second thriller against another team trying to rebuild. Is it something to remember forever? Probably not.

It's just another step in the right direction.

Comments

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The Orange and Maroon you see, that's fighting on to victory.

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The Orange and Maroon you see, that's fighting on to victory.

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Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!

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"GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM LITTLE BROTHER, THE CUP IS COMIN’ ON HOME!”

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I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction:
“I served in the United States Navy"

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"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

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Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

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Wiley, Brown, Russell, Drakeford, Gray, Banks, Prioleau, Charleton, Midget, Bird, McCadam, Pile, Hall, Green, Fuller, Williams, Hamilton, Rouse, Flowers, Harris, Chancellor, Carmichael, Hosley, Fuller, Exum, Jarrett

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The Orange and Maroon you see, that's fighting on to victory.

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!