The Hokies come to town Saturday at 1 p.m for a game that means way more for Virginia Tech in the grand scheme of things. Even though it’s a road game for the Hokies, this game is truly a must win if Seth Greenberg’s boys want to go dancing in March.
Last season, the Hokies played no one out of conference, and they got punished by the NCAA Selection Committee for it. In 2009-10, the Hokies finished 10-6 in an ACC that was much better top-to-bottom then it is this season. If the Hokies want to make the big show, they must win this game.
Virginia Tech (17-7, 7-4) has only been to the NCAA tournament once in Greenberg’s eight seasons in Blacksburg. Sounds very Virginia like, eh? Except, UVA is on their third coach in eight years. Scary when you think about it like right, isn’t it?
Tech is a bad match-up for the Hoos on many different levels. Jeff Allen has no equal on the Virginia bench. Malcolm Delaney, also, has no equal in orange and blue. The Hoos are playing what just might be the worst brand of offensive basketball in the modern era of the ACC.
Tony Bennett’s system relies on a defensive mindset, and when the ball is not going in the basket, there is no uglier style of hoops out there. I might be in the minority, but I’d rather lose 98-83 than 56-41. Anytime, any era. While defense is important, they sure as hell don’t award points for it. Do they?
Virginia (12-13, 3-8) beat Tech 57-54 earlier this season in Blacksburg, but that was without Virginia’s best player Mike Scott, who is done for the year as he recovers from two ankle surgeries. Last time out versus Duke, the Hoos held the Blue Devils to their lowest point total of the season. If Virginia has a chance in this game they must continue to make the other team play their dreadful to watch, slow pace of play, grind it out type of hoops.
Tech is very streaky, but also very talented. Malcolm Delaney averages almost 20 points per game, Jeff Allen 13.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Sammy Zeglinski must return to the forefront of the Virginia offense, and Assane Sene absolutely must stay out of foul trouble. Akil Mitchell will need to step up his defensive effort in an attempt to slow Allen inside. K.T. Harrell must be more aggressive, and someone is going to have to have a huge game for the Hoos. Mu? Where ya been? Will Sherrill is still out for Bennett’s team, recovering from the re-injury to his broken leg.
Prediction, Hoos 54- Hokies 60. Yuck. Pass the free airline vomit bag in the seat back in front of you Virginia fans. Or should I say, since there will be 4000-5000 Tech fans there, eh, never mind…