The Matrix 3.1: A Mid-Season Review of Buzzketball

Year Three of Buzzketball means Version 3 of The Matrix, my deep dive into the rebirth and evolution of the Virginia Tech men's basketball program. For those of you who are new to The Matrix — or wish to brush up on the methodology and the five categories — review the inaugural post from two seasons ago.

A quick reminder: The 5 categories are the basis for the composite score, which provides an overview of how Tech's players shake out across the board. It doesn't necessarily yield a best-to-worst rank, because the categories don't fairly reflect that. One thing to remember is that previous years have seen Christian Beyer and Shane Henry win Matrix MVP awards. Some categories skew towards bench players who can give maximum effort over a brief period of time. Others require significant minutes to establish themselves in certain roles. So before you get all up in arms over the composite rankings, keep all of this in mind. In the end, the goal is to chart and discuss the development of the team.

The Matrix 3.1

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After seeing thirteen different players log minutes early in 2015, only eleven players have seen the floor halfway through Year Three of Buzzketball. The off-season injury to Kerry Blackshear has left the traditionally undersized Hokies once again shorthanded in the post, relying predominantly on a rotation of Zach LeDay and freshman Khadim Sy at the 5.

Whereas last season saw only 5 players return from Buzz's first season in Blacksburg, this year has benefitted from a veteran lineup that understands exactly what Buzz and his staff want out of them. Ahmed Hill returns after a year on the mend, and JUCO transfer Ty Outlaw and Sy take the places of off-season transfers Jalen Hudson and Satchel Pierce. Former ACC All-Rookie Team-turned wide receiver-turned reserve point guard Devin Wilson has re-joined the squad but has yet to make an appearance, so for now he remains off the board.

After beginning last season with a relatively fluid rotation, Buzz has relied heavily on six players who average 27 minutes per game or more. Sy and Outlaw come off the bench to provide some size and energy, but Buzz has consistently leaned on his talented and experienced core of Robinson, Allen, Bibbs, Clarke, Hill and LeDay.

Alpha Male

Let the effusive praise for Chris Clarke begin. Seriously, I feel like I could highlight him in every one of these categories. The jump he has made from Year 1 to Year 2 has been incredible. But what is more impressive is the transformation that has occurred in conference play. There's an assertiveness to him; a killer instinct that is more than just relentlessly attacking the rim. In Tallahassee, he put the team on his back as they tried to keep up with the size and athleticism of the Seminoles. Against Notre Dame, he did the same as the Hokies sputtered along against a devastatingly efficient Irish team.

In both of those games, Clarke played 39 and 38 minutes, respectively. Buzz has arguably come to rely on him more than any other player on the roster, likely due in part to the lineup flexibility he affords. But don't discount the aggressiveness we have seen from Clarke in recent weeks. Heading into Wednesday's game against Georgia Tech, he was averaging 17.6 ppg in conference play — five more than his season average. He's shooting over 62% from the field, proving that he knows which side his bread is buttered on. Plus, he's good for at least two solo coast-to-coast fast breaks per game.

On a team full of capable shooters, Clarke's slashing ability provides an added dimension that can pick the Hokies up when they struggle from behind the arc. That's a trait that could come very much in handy in tournament play.

Keep an Eye On: Ahmed Hill. Early in the season, Ahmed Hill looked like a new man. A prototypical 3-and-D guy his freshman season, Med came out of the gates firing from all over the floor. He and Zach LeDay traded off leading the team in scoring throughout the nonconference slate. But where LeDay has been a model of consistency — he has only failed to hit double-figures once all season (against Texas A&M) — Hill has had a tendency to disappear in games. When he struggles to get into the flow of the game, he often forces shots from distance (many of which occur without his feet set) rather than attacking the rim. Med has shown that he has the talent to lead this team night-in-and-night out. The one thing missing thus far, which both Clarke and LeDay possess in spades, is that cutthroat approach from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Floor General

Justin Robinson continues to have the number one slot in this category on lockdown. And barring something apocalyptic, I can't see this changing until the day he graduates. I gushed about him in last season's inaugural rankings, and all Robinson has done since is continue to get better and better. His basketball IQ is fantastic (allowing me to give him a pass for the boneheaded inbounds play near the end of the Notre Dame game), and he has displayed a commanding presence despite his diminutive stature.

It's not easy to share a position and be asked to play alongside a guy like Seth Allen. Don't get me wrong, Allen seems like a great guy. But he's a chirper on the court, and dynamic, trash talking players like Allen can be intimidating for younger players. All Robinson did was tune out the noise and integrate himself into Buzz's offense, getting stronger and stronger as his freshman season progressed.

Allen may be the point guard who jumps out at you, but Robinson is the stoic leader of the Hokies while he's on the floor. That quiet confidence — and occasional easy smile — is exactly the type of person you want to follow.

Keep an Eye On: Chris Clarke. No, seriously. We already discussed his killer instinct. Now let's talk about his passing ability. Remember that time Clarke became the first person in Virginia Tech men's basketball history to record a triple double? Or the fact that Clarke has 5 or more assists in seven games? Only Justin Robinson (8) has more. How about Clarke and Robinson both assisting on 23.6 percent of Hokies baskets while they're on the floor?

Sure, Clarke swings the ball around the perimeter and makes nifty passes on the fast break like the best of 'em. Where Clarke has done serious damage is from the high post against teams running the 2-3 zone. Buzz has utilized predominately Clarke and LeDay in a high-low set against zone defenses. Clarke flashes to the free throw line, and upon receiving the entry pass, immediately turns to face the basket. His scoring ability — including his awkward, hesitating mid-range jumper that happens far too often — has forced post players to close him down. In doing so, they run the risk of getting blown by thanks to his insanely quick first step or falling victim to a backdoor cut from LeDunk. It's no surprise that against Syracuse's once vaunted 2-3, Clarke logged six assists and LeDay dropped 22 points on 8-11 shooting from inside the arc.

Rim Protector

I know, I know. You could make the argument I am phoning it in by listing freshman Khadim Sy atop the Rim Protector category. After all, he is the tallest rotation player — sorry Johnny Hamilton. But if you've watched Buzzketball this season, you know that the kid has held his own (and then some). He is averaging a block per game, has already logged a double-digit rebounding performance (in only 16 minutes of play), and leads the team in total rebound percentage.

Let's get one thing straight: No one is confusing the Hokies' frontcourt with North Carolina's or Florida State's. It's just not how Buzz assembles his rosters. His use of high motor guys like Clarke and LeDay helps keep the Hokies competitive on the boards (I use that phrase loosely), and Sy has integrated himself nicely. He uses his great length (Jay Bilas just got half chubb) and impressive instincts to affect shots and pull down rebounds. With another year or two in the weightroom and the dining halls, Sy has the natural ability to form a dangerous combo with a healthy KJ Blackshear. Both guys have shown a soft touch in the paint, and Sy's defensive potential could make the Hokies competitive against more traditionally-sized major conference programs.

It's okay to be the plucky little squad that can out-shoot and out-quick you off the floor. But national championship teams typically aren't built that way. I know, I know. Some teams crash the party. But those teams usually have a transcendent player (e.g. Steph Curry), and it's rarely (if ever) sustainable. Sy appears to be another building block for Buzz — not necessarily a priority position, but a useful weapon that has the capability to develop into something more.

Keep an Eye On: Justin Bibbs. Because discussing Zach LeDay is too obvious here. Let's get one thing straight: There's no way Bibbs ends the season in the Top 2 of this category, but his recent play near the basket has been noticeable. Bibbs is the only player on the Tech roster that has seen an increase in his rebounding since the start of conference play. He has quietly improved his defense since his freshman season, and does a considerably better job boxing out defenders than fellow wing Ahmed Hill. He looks like he has settled into his role as the 4th or 5th scorer, giving him the flexibility to occasionally tussle down low while waiting for good looks on the offensive end.

Lock-down Defender

Chris Clarke made a run at the number one slot, but I couldn't pass over Justin Bibbs. Bibbs has been Tech's strongest and most consistent on-ball defender this season. Statistically, he hasn't been remarkable. But if you watch him play, he has used strong ball-you-man body positioning better than anyone else on the team.

Wednesday night against the Bees, Bibbs played some stifling defense on countless possessions to run the shot clock down (only to be wasted by Quinton Stephens' neverending threes from the corner). Buzz singled out the junior wing post-game, stating, "Bibbs is our best perimeter defender; he's always going to guard the best perimeter offensive player, so he provides value."

His offensive consistency has certainly dropped off this season, but he has really stepped up his game on the defensive end. The Hokies are going to need a stopper against top flight competition — including this weekend against Clemson's Jaron Blossomgame — and right now, Bibbs is looking more and more like that guy.

For his part, Clarke averages 1.4 steals per game; his 26 steals are more than double the next closest teammate (Robinson has 12); he has recorded at least one steal in all but three contests; and his freakish athleticism gives Buzz the flexibility to match him up on any position. He uses active hands in zone sets better than anyone else in the rotation, and his twitch allows him to jump passing lanes that ultimately result in transition baskets.

Keep an Eye On: Ahmed Hill. I think he has the most potential on the team, next to Clarke. But for some reason, Hill has looked inconsistent on the defensive end this season and I think the defensive assignments back that up. Down the stretch against both Notre Dame and Syracuse, Bibbs and Clarke were manned up on the 1 and 2 scorers. During his freshman season, Hill regularly answered the call against a team's primary scoring threat. The ability is there, and I think that he will continue to settle in as the season wears on.

Energy Guy

Clarke is again number one here, but for the sake of discussing someone else I'm going to highlight Seth Allen. A sixth man who could arguably start for half of the teams in the ACC, Allen has been Buzz's Energizer Bunny these past 1.5 seasons. Quick on the ball, with excellent handles and an ability to make tough driving shots in traffic, Allen consistently kicks the Hokies into another gear when he steps on the floor.

Where Clarke's energy is almost solely tied to his physical abilities, Allen's is split between his athleticism and confidence. He's undoubtedly the loudest Hokie and runs neck-and-neck with Zach LeDay for the, "Most Demonstrative" senior superlative. He brings a swagger to the squad that is absolutely necessary in hostile settings; the type of guy you enjoy rooting against but love when he's on your team. Less Grayson Allen and more Johnny Damon.

Allen has the highest true shooting percentage of any rotation player (65%) and only 19% of his makes at the rim (layups, dunks, putbacks) have been assisted on, meaning that 4 out of every 5 layups are successful drives from the perimeter. For what it's worth, only LeDay and Clarke have attempted more shots at the rim. Oh, and not a single one of Allen's 2-point jumpers has been assisted on.

How does this all equate to 'energy'? The advanced metrics tell us that Allen is not only taking shots, but he is creating them on his own. He doesn't swallow up the ball and kill perimeter ball rotations like Carmelo Anthony, but he knows his role within the offense as a scorer first and a facilitator second.

Keep an Eye On: Ty Outlaw. Expectations were never high for Outlaw heading into this season, but most people were looking for an occasional sharpshooter off-the-bench to give wings like Hill and Bibbs a blow without a significant drop-off. Outlaw hasn't exactly looked like a fish-out-of-water, but he hasn't really settled in either. When faced with an open look along the perimeter, he still looks rushed. It's as though, in that split-second where he realizes he has enough clearance to launch an uncontested three-ball, he panics like a twelfth man in garbage time. The brief runs Outlaw has been getting have only made it harder for him to find a rhythm.

The stroke is there, and he has the build to play major conference basketball. But most of his misses are bad misses. So why am I suggesting we keep an eye on him? Because I'm trying to remain hopeful that eventually he will settle in. Wednesday's game against Georgia Tech proved that someone needs to step up when guys like Med get into early foul trouble. With Buzz's style of play, six and seven-man rotations are a dangerous long-term strategy against talented opposition. Outlaw is a prime candidate to fill that role, but he needs to realize that he doesn't need to pop off the bench like Superman from a phone booth, a la Jalen Hudson.

Maybe that's part of the problem. Fans are not willing to admit it, but Hudson spoiled everyone with intermittent virtuoso performances. But Huddy wasn't that guy from the outset. Outlaw deserves to be given time, but we're 8 games into the conference slate so...it's time to saddle up, partner.