Let’s take a look back at the Hokies road win to move to 4-0.

What worked well:

• 3-POINT SHOOTING: 14/22?  64%  Seriously?  That’s incredible, especially considering this was Tech’s first game away from the friendly confines of Cassell.  Your % is supposed to drop on the road, not go through the roof.  Take our Marshall Wood’s 1/5 (stop shooting so much!) and VT was 13/17 (better than 75%).  The Hokies are now #1 in the ACC in 3-point % and 3s-made at 46% and 42 respectively.
• Will Johnston: Dude is 8/13 from behind the arc on the year.  Tip of the cap to the microwave! 3/3 last night.
• Jarell Eddie: He had it all working on a career night.  77% on FGs, 100% on 3s, 90% on FTs.  That’s as close to perfect as you’ll see other than Christian Laettner’s performance in that epic NCAA Tournament game vs kentucky (Laettner was a perfect 20/20 on FGs+FTs that night for 31 points and had he missed one shot, including that shot at the buzzer, duke would have lost).
• Wood’s Rebounding: I dogged his 3-point shooting above (3/16 on the season), but he snagged 11 rebounds last night and now has 6 more rebounds than Barksdale in similar minutes.  That’s why he was in there at the end.
• FT SHOOTING: Tech was #1 in the ACC in FT% last year heading into the final month.  They still managed to finish 2nd, but we saw a huge drop-off down the stretch including a real stinker at fsu that cost VT the game and their first ACC win in Tallahassee.  After missing 3 straight critical FTs with Tech down 2 points and 5 minutes to go, the Hokies were 18/19 after that to close out the game, including 12/12 by EG.  That’s clutch.
• We’re #1: Tech is #1 in Scoring Offense in the ACC!  I know, I know, we’ve played up-tempo cupcakes, and it is only 4 games, but did you ever think you’d see the day?

What Needs Fine Tuning:

• 3-POINT DEFENSE: Tech is #1 in the ACC in 3-Point Defense but that is more because of the first 3 games.  Last night Tech was lazy getting out on open shooters, almost expecting them to miss.  Armstrong who was maybe 6-foot and couldn’t leap over a phonebook was allowed to go 4/11 from deep (if he was any good he’d have hit at least 6).  And Eddie did a decent job getting a hand in Simpson’s face but he needed to be out on him and take the 3 away better at times.  Force him to drive and let the D help.  They didn’t exactly have a lot of options to pass to.
• EASY BUCKETS: VT was 14/22 from behind the arc but just 10/31 inside it.  EG was just 2/11 inside the arc last night, the first time he’s struggled with his pull-up jumper or finishing off the drive this season.   The Hokies missed numerous layups, short runners, and Raines was off last night.  He just looked uncomfortable on his post moves (other than his monster dunk).  One time I think it was because he was afraid he was going to step on this little dude that was laying in the lane.  Tech needs to be better and attacking the tin.  Try and flush it, blocks be damned.  Usually you’ll at least get a foul call out of those.
• KILL MO: When the spartans got rolling, they really got rolling.  In both halves last night Tech blew a 14-point lead and fell behind.  What happened?  On offense, if unc-g took away Tech’s 3-point looks, VT couldn’t score.  Also, 10 turnovers in the first half and some really bad passes were a problem.  The Hokies must find a better midrange game to beat better teams – you can’t expect to hit over half your 3-point shots every night.  And on defense, Tech’s help/transition defense was weak during those runs.  The Hokies have not done a good job of rotating this year to date.
• JvZ looked tentative last night on offense.  Good hands are an attitude and Joey had a serious case of alligator arms last night.  It cost him two critical buckets.