THE SETUP – SWEEP THE turtle!

Note: There will be no Opposing View for this game.  I don’t associate with terrapins, and frankly, I don’t care about their opinion.

All-Time Series: md 25-7

Series since Tech joined the ACC: VT 3-2 (The home team has won every time)

Last Meeting: 1/12/08 – VT 67, md 66

Back in 2005 a young Hokie team responded to a 35 point woodshed loss at duke by winning at miami three days later.  Let’s see how this team responds just four days after their 39 point loss at unc. 

One of the keys will be rebounding.  After winning the rebounding margin in each of their first eight ACC games, Tech has been dominated on the boards in their three straight losses.  unc had more offensive rebounds on Saturday than VT had defensive rebounds!  And in the first meeting, the terps controlled the boards by a 23-14 margin in the first half.  But the Hokies responded by outrebounding the terps 26-14 in the second half.  VT must get stops, including keeping bam osby and james gist off the offensive glass to have a chance in this game.

Another key will be Tech’s shooting: hitting shots and hitting free throws.  The Hokies shot just 26% on Saturday.  They had 28 free throws.  Tech is at their best when they are shooting well from the field AND getting to the free throw (yes, I know, Captain Obvious).  Shooting well isn’t enough, considering VT shot 54% and 47% from the field against miami and nc state respectively and still lost both.  VT must attack the glass and get to the line.

Hopefully VT can step up from behind the arc, too.  The catalyst is Vassallo.  He is just 2 for his last 19 from three-point range on the road.  Tech had seven threes at home against maryland.  If A.D. can hit an early three and get his touch back, it could open up the offense.

Also, VT needs to be more unselfish on the break.  It seems as if whomever has the ball in transition always shoots.  Find the open man and it will lead to an easy deuce, something Tech is starving for lately.

NUMBERS

THE GAME

maryland comes in to this game having won five of six. In fact, they’ve won seven straight against teams not named “duke”, including a win at #1 unc.  So the terps are going in the complete opposite direction of the Hokies, who have lost three straight and been blown out in their last two road games.  I’ll pile on by adding that the home team has won all five ACC games between these two teams.  But hey, the Hokies know they can beat this team.

The terps love to crash the boards on the offensive end and have a high-riser in James Gist. If you don’t put a body on him, you could end up on a poster. Bambale Osby is a Cheick Diakite clone inside but with a better offensive game. Tech will likely counter with Diakite guarding him. He doesn’t have great post moves, though, so Allen might be able to guard him without risking fouls.

The terps are really a two-man show in ACC Super Punk greivis vasquez (think Bill Laimbeer combined with super-spaz, Tyler Hansbrough) and james gist. greivis is a complete offensive player: he can shoot the three, take the ball to the hole, and hit medium jumpers. He also leads the team with almost seven assists per game. I would expect to see Delaney or Washington on him, or Bell when he is in the game.  Gist is much more athletic and likes to get to the hole.

maryland also has Woodbridge native eric hayes at their disposal in this game.  He missed the game in Blacksburg with an ankle injury.  hayes is a spot-up shooter and cannot kill you on the drive.  Tech must not lose sight of him.  hayes averages 11 ppg and two threes.

Niemo arm-curling vasquez like a little baby. Niemo owns him!

-Photo courtesy of DuffHokie

Projected Starters

Keys to the Game

• Stop James Gist: ACC Super Punk, greivis vasquez, is going to get his points. He is averaging 17 per game and 18 in their six losses. But Gist is another story. He is averaging just 9 points per game in the terps losses, seven points below his average overall and half of what he averages in maryland wins. He is a slasher and a world class athlete. Tech must get a body on him to keep him from getting easy dunks or offensive putbacks.
• Allen Avoids Dumb Fouls: Jeff Allen will likely be guarding Bambale Osby, practically a goon inside, or James Gist. Gist is much more athletic and quicker than Allen. He will likely try to attack the hoop. Allen must position himself between Gist and the hoop and not reach. Having Jeff guard Osby would be safer, since Osby is a back to the basket type of player.
• Pack it in: maryland is a bad three-point shooting team, ranking 10th in the ACC.  greivis vasquez and eric hayes are their only true three-point threats, though freshman Cliff Tucker is getting better. Tech must collapse inside and force the terps to beat them from long range. The terps get to the line a lot, so the Hokies need to draw charges and avoid challenging too many shots. The 2-3 zone might be a good option but Tech must not let penetrators slip through seams and find a man to box out on misses.
• Make the extra pass: maryland leads the ACC in blocked shots with 7 per game. The Hokies cannot wildly attack the hoop. The result will be a charge, free throws, or a ball in the third row off a rejection. The terps will collapse and go after the block. The Hokies need to move without the ball and look for a feed from the penetrator.
• Make the extra (short, bounce) pass: Tall players are less likely to deflect/steal bounce passes. The Tech guards must do a good job of setting up the offense and make their pass from the 3-point line in, not 30 feet away. And bounce passes are key to avoid turnovers/steals.
• Turn Turnovers into Transition: The terps turn the ball over a lot at 17 times per game. And if Hayes doesn’t play, that should go up. The terps won’t have a true point guard, at least not an experienced one. Tech can get easy hoops if they can take turnovers and get out and run the court. This will avoid half court sets, where maryland’s D is at their best.

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