After losing 96-81 to No. 7 University of North Carolina, Virginia Tech returns home for a rivalry game against Virginia State. Tech fell short on a trip to Charlottesville earlier this season, but will look to avenge that loss tonight at a rocking Cassell Coliseum while also moving up in the ACC standings. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are currently playing their best basketball of the season as they battle UNC and Duke for the ACC regular season title.
With that said, here are the keys and predictions for the Hokies vs. Cavaliers game.
1. Protect the basketball
Turnovers were a big problem for the Hokies in the first meeting between these teams, with 15 turnovers compared to just seven for UVA. Despite UVA's 15 turnovers, 10 of which were steals, Virginia only scored eight points off turnovers, claiming the Hokies were lucky to lose by single digits.
Since their turning point that week, which included 20 turnovers in a win at North Carolina State, the Hokies have dramatically improved offensively. That includes having just six turnovers in the loss to North Carolina, and given that UNC doesn't force a ton of turnovers, MJ Collins was quick to commit after the game. Although he downplayed it, the reversal was still impressive.
Considering UVA ranks in the top 10 in KenPom defensive efficiency, forcing 13 turnovers per game, Tech only has six turnovers considering they are better defensively. Very unlikely. However, the Hokies will need to minimize turnovers in a game where they need to maximize the number of chances given the challenges they will face against UVA's defense. That becomes even more important when you consider that UVA ranks last in adjusted tempo per KenPom, and nationally he has the eighth-fewest shot attempts per game.
Technicians need to be smart in this game and guard against letting the game come to them instead of trying to force things to happen. This is especially true for Sean Pedulla. Sean Pedulla has to stay calm and pick his spots, even if it means holding onto the ball a few more times, even if he has to flick the ball through crowded spaces. yeah.
If the Hokies want to win this game, they not only need to be efficient, but they can't afford to waste offensive possessions on turnovers. If they do that, the Hokies have a good chance of winning in Kassel.
2. Control your painting
In theory, Virginia Tech should be better than UVA in the frontcourt, but that wasn't the case when the teams first met in Charlottesville.
Jordan Minor was dominated by Lynn Kidd and Maylijael Poteet with 16 points and five rebounds, while UVA reserve Blake Buchanan added eight points and three rebounds. On the other hand, Kidd and Poteet were held to a combined total of 4 points and 7 rebounds, and neither player was able to move the offense forward. UVA outscored the Hokies 36-20 in the paint, and this post play had a huge impact on the 65-57 victory.
If the Hokies want to beat UVA, a Tech team can't afford to be dominated like that again, while the Cavaliers know that winning with an underdog opponent will make it much harder for VT to get the job done. know.
The good news is that Kidd and Poteet have both played well recently, each hitting double digits against UNC on Saturday, and are much better than UVA with Armando Bacot and Jaylen Washington in Minor and Buchanan. He's playing against an excellent frontcourt duo. However, getting a paper advantage is one thing and getting the job done is another.
Tech will now need Kidd and Poteat to step up and maintain the on-paper advantage the Hokies have. If they can't do that, the Hokies will be in some trouble tonight.
3. Utilize open threes
UVA is such a good defensive team that it's hard to believe they're always going to get the open 3-point opportunities they want. Going into this game, Tech needs to know that when they get an opportunity, they have to shoot without hesitation and take advantage of it.
Of course, the Hokies have been a little up and down lately, going 11-23 (47.8%) against Florida State last Tuesday, going 7-26 (26.9%) from three points, followed by a 7-26 (26.9%) win against UNC last Saturday. . 1-12 in the second half. Tech's 3-point shooting has generally improved as this season has progressed, but it can still be a little shaky at times.
It will definitely help that the Hokies will be playing the game at home on a court they are used to shooting on. It also helps that Hunter Kattore is still Hunter Kattore, and his 1-6 shooting performance from 3-point range is clearly off par.
It won't be just Cattoa, though, as the Hokies will need Sean Pedula, Tyler Nickell, and MJ Collins to hit 3-pointers. If Tech can make over 40% of their three shots combined, they have a very good chance of winning this game.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 62, Virginia State 58
Although Virginia is sharp on defense, it is lackluster on offense, and the game is expected to be close and evenly contested from start to finish. Virginia Tech's 3-point shooting was well below average on Saturday, but this may prove to be more of an anomaly than a new trend.
Lynn Kidd and Maylijael Poteet stepped up and won battles in the paint, while Hunter Kattore and Sean Pedulla bounced back from their 6-for-23 shooting days with typical performances to lead the Hokies to victory over UVA. will lead you to
