Countdown to History:
Zabian Dowdell is just 43 points away from moving into the Top 10 in Career Scoring at Virginia Tech.  He has 1610 points in his four years.  Bill Matthews is 10th with 1652.

Match-Up:
The Hokies return from their six day layoff and face the first place virginia cavaliers (ugh, it hurt just typing that).  Tech was in first place just 10 days ago, but now sit in fourth place after double-digit losses to nc state and boston college.  Keep in mind, the top four teams get a bye in the first round of the ACC Tournament, so being in the top four is huge.  But VT’s main focus right now just has to be on playing well and getting off to a good start.  The Hokies are 3-0 in the ACC when they lead at the first TV timeout and 5-0 when they lead at the half (1-3 when trailing at halftime).  The bc game was over by halftime thanks to eight 3-pointers and a 20-2 run by the eagles.

uva has dominated this series over the last 20 years.  uva has won four in a row against VT, 11 of the last 13, and 17 of the last 21.  The Hokies are 2-3 against duke, 3-1 against georgia tech, 2-1 against wake, 2-2 against maryland, but just 1-4 against uva since joining the ACC.  VT is 2-2 against ACC teams at .500 or better this season.  It is time for the Hokies to step up against virginia.  The cavs are almost a mirror image of the Hokies in that both teams are driven by their guards, have decent scorers at the three spot, with post players that usually only score via the dunk.  However, virginia likes to shoot the three pointer and get out and run more than Tech.

The Opponent:
The cavs, on the other hand, are riding the gravy train on biscuit wheels.  They have won seven straight in the ACC.  But uva’s two ACC losses were on the road against teams with winning ACC records like Tech (bc and unc).  virginia likes to get out and run with their guards and either get easy buckets or dish to the open man for a three pointer.  Do not expect the Hokies to use the trapping press they used at georgia tech and boston college, as uva can shred it and pile up points in a hurry.

The hoos are led by their lightning quick guards, #2 j.r. reynolds and #44 sean singletary.  The two combine for over 37 points a game on the season and could be the fastest two players in the ACC.  In conference play, #2 and #44 are averaging over 50% of uva’s points.  Both shoot about 40% on three’s and over 80% from the line (singletary is #1 in the ACC in FT%).  They also get to the line a lot, combining for 14 free throws per game.  j.r. and sean each have more assists than turnovers, but can make rushed passes.  singletary will take some bad shots, too.  mamadi diane (he can pronounce it any way he wants, I’m calling him Diane, like a lady) is a #3 in the mold of Vassallo in that he likes to jack the three (almost half his shots are 3′s) and averages 11 points per game.  will harris, #1, is the only backup that will see much of any time at the guard spot.  He has a long body but has not scored much in ACC play.

Their post players are like parsley, just there for decoration.  Down low virginia starts #33 jason cain and #11 laurynas mikalauskas (who leads the ACC in shoulder zits).  They combine for less than 10 points per game and mikalauskas has no offensive moves.  #30 joseph and #21 soroye will come off the bench and play quality minutes.  joseph is their main offensive threat off the bench averaging 7.4 points and 4 three-point attempts per game.  soroye cannot catch and averages seven turnovers for every assist.

dave leitao is in his second year as uva’s head coach after leaving depaul for the uva position.  He has done a good job of adjusting uva’s style of play to fit his players, something pete gillen (the old coach), could not do.

Keys to Victory:
Guard play: The Hokies have to find a way to slow down singletary and reynolds.  If they can get out and run, they will either get easy layups, get free throws, or find joseph or diane for an open three.  In the half-court set, VT will have to prevent singletary and reynolds from penetrating.  They will take bad shots if forced to, since they are the only offensive players that can create their own shots.  Tech’s post players will have to do a good job of sealing off the paint when Dowdell or Gordon gets beaten and the other defenders will have to rotate to pick up the cav looking for a three.  On offense, Gordon and Dowdell will need to also penetrate and take advantage of uva’s lack of shot-blocking ability.  Nor does uva create many turnovers.  This game will likely come down to which team’s starting two guards beats the other.

Rebounding: Although uva does not get many points out of the post, they do rebound well.  virginia is +4 in rebounding margin per game in ACC play, good for fourth in the league.  The Hokies are 9th in the league at -4.3.  Because uva shoots so many three’s (22 per game), all five Hokies will have to help out on the defensive boards to prevent the long rebound.

Take advantage of VT’s strengths and uva’s weaknesses: The Hokies are #2 in the ACC in turnover margin in ACC play and #4 in steals.  uva is last in steals, blocked shots, and second-to-last in turnover margin.  Dowdell and Gordon need to use their quick hands to get steals and get easy buckets for VT.  bc was able to cut the Hokies off and prevent transition buckets after steals in that game.  Washington played like a man possessed in the 2nd half against bc and that energy could get him easy transition buckets after cav turnovers.

Limit uva’s strength: The hoos love to shoot the three, and shoot it well.  They are third in the ACC in conference play at 37% and make 8.6 three’s per game.  That is well over one more than second place.  They get open three’s because defenders lose their man trying to stop reynolds’s or singletary’s penetration.  The key will be for all five guys to rotate and get a hand in the virginia shooter’s face.  If uva is hitting their three’s, or getting the offensive rebounds, this will be a long day for the Hokies.

The crowd: Get amped!  uva has owned us, but now it is our turn to spoil their season.  If your heart isn’t beating out of your chest in the Cassell on Saturday (or now), you shouldn’t be readying this Web site!  VT is 10-1 at home this year.  Time to regain our Hokie swagger.

Key Players: VT -

uva:

Individual Stats

Leading Scorers:
VT – Dowdell (18.1), Gordon (11.5), Washington (11.5), Vassallo (11.0)
uva – reynolds (18.7), singletary (18.6), diane (11.2), joseph (7.4)

Leading Rebounders:
VT – Washington (5.2), Collins (5.0), Gordon (4.7)
uva – cain (7.0), singletary (4.4), joseph (4.0)

Assists Leaders:
VT – Gordon (4.4), Dowdell (3.6)
uva – singletary (4.8), reynolds (3.9)

Best 3Pt Shooter: VT – Vassallo (44%, 2 made per game), uva – singletary (40%, 2.5 made per game)
Best FT Shooter: VT – Dowdell (82%, 6 attempts/game), uva – singletary (89%, 7 attempts/game)

Team Stats

PPG: VT – 73.5 (72.1 in ACC play), uva – 79.5 (76.0 ACC)
Opp PPG: VT – 63.5 (73.4 ACC), uva – 72.1 (71.4 ACC)
FG %: VT – 47% (47%), uva – 45% (44%)
Opp FG %: VT – 41% (44%), uva – 41% (40%)
3 Pt %: VT – 38% (38%), uva – 37% (37%)
FT %: VT – 66% (71% ACC), uva 73% (73% ACC)

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