During Tech’s 7-0 start, hot 3-point shooting (and horrible shooting from the opponents) was the key.  Well, over the last 7 games (2-5), we can flip that data.  See below.

The table above shows how in the first seven games, VT was hitting better than 40% of their 3s.  Their opponents were hitting barely more than half that, at 22%.  Since then, flip those numbers – VT is hitting just 22% and the opponents are draining 36% of theirs.

Taking it a step further, look at the percentage of points VT is/was getting via the 3-point shot.  In the first seven games, 28% of their 86 points per game (ppg) were from deep (or 24.5 ppg from behind the arc).  Since then, not only has Tech’s overall ppg dropped almost 20 ppg to 67 ppg, but the percentage of that 67 that is from behind the arc is just 18.5% (or 12.4 ppg coming from 3-pointers).

Over the same timeline, Tech’s opponents have gone from getting 16.7 ppg on 3-pointers to 26.2 ppg on 3s.  That’s an almost 14 ppg gap in points off 3-pointers between VT and their opponents in the last seven games, something they simply cannot make up with their lack of a post presence.

*Note: mississippi valley state was 4/29 on 3s, and bradley was 8/23.  Remove those and Tech’s opponents are 49/116 (42.2%) in the Hokies’ five losses.