Recap | Box Score

Recap of the Keys to the Game:

• Limit 2nd Chances/Shoot Wisely: xavier has finished at least +13 in rebounding margin in all three games, including an eye-popping +15 against missouri. The musketeers are especially stout on the defensive glass. This is largely due to the fact that their starting lineup is all over 6′5″ with Brown at 6′8″ and Jason Love at 6′9″. The Hokies must limit xavier’s offensive boards and take smart shots on offense since offensive rebounds will be tough to come by.
• How VT did: Tech held their own on the boards and narrowly edged the musketeers on the glass 36-35. The Hokies were +2 on the offensive boards, 11-9. However, Tech’s shot selection was not good at times. VT started out 8/9 from the field against fairfield, but were just 3/11 today. The perimeter pressure really got to the Hokie guards, and often Tech did not get into their offense until late in the shot clock and had to force shots, especially in the final 5 minutes. VT was competitive on Points in the Paint, too, edging xu 28-26.
• Do Not Delay Delaney: Malcolm has scored just 8 of his 43 points this season in the first half. With xavier’s inexperience at the point guard position, this is an area for Tech to exploit. Delaney needs to get into the flow early and find his shots.
• How Delaney did: Once again Malcolm was mostly a no-show in the first half. He had just 3 points at the break. Then, in typical form, he lit it up in the second half, scoring 10 points with 2 more in overtime. He now has 58 points on the season and is averaging 2.8 in the first half, 11.3 in the second half, and 2.0 in OT. As a result, Tech had just 25 points at the half.

Other Factors/Notes:

• Tech’s offense at the end of games is quickly becoming a concern. Cope mentioned how the end of this game reminded him of the 2005 duke game, and the 2005-06 Hokies had a lot of problems on offense at the end of games where leads would slip away. This team is quickly reminding me of them, on the court, at least. Back in the gardner-webb game, the Hokies did not score from the 5:34 mark of the second half until there were 23 seconds left. I believe at times the Hokies worry too much about milking the clock, and don’t get a good shot because they have to rush things late in the shot clock. They get away from the things that have given them the lead. I understand the logic in using clock, but VT may need to start their offense earlier.
• Dorenzo Hudson really stepped up today. I have been giving him a hard time, but he answered the bell in this game, which was especially vital with A.D. Vassallo struggling. Dorenzo had 10 points on 3/5 shooting (he was 1/12 coming into the game). This is great news for Tech, who needs more production from their guards on offense.
• xu’s depth was a factor. The musketeer bench outscored VT 17-5. Thorns had all 5 for the Hokies.
• Davila Rising: Victor Davila continues to see key minutes. He was in the game a lot at the end of regulation. Lewis Witcher played just 7 minutes.
• Jeff Allen secured his first double-double of the season and 11th of his career. He is the man, plain and simple. His 22 points and 11 rebounds were both game highs.
• The ACC is now 29-1 on the season. Yep, this buzzer beater is the only loss the ACC has had so far.

Bottom Line: This is a heartbreaker but Tech dug their own hole by not putting this game away in regulation. The Hokies must find ways to score late in close games. Until then, these resume building wins will continue to elude them. The wisconsin game in 10 days has even more importance now, as it gives Tech a great chance at an out-of-conference quality win at home.

Box Score | Highlights

The Virginia Tech Hokies lost their first game of the season on a heartbreaking half-court buzzer beater at the end of overtime against xavier, 63-62 in the semi-finals of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. It was duke 2005 all over again.

With the game tied at 60, Dorenzo Hudson missed a short jumper from the right side, but Jeff Allen, who led all scorers with 22 points, was there for the tip-in to put the Hokies ahead 62-60 with 1.9 seconds left. The musketeers inbounded the ball to Dante Jackson who took a few steps before heaving a half-court shot that banked off the glass and in as the buzzer sounded. Game over.

It’s hard to pin this loss on the buzzer beater because the Hokies had several opportunities to put this game away in regulation. Following a Malcolm Delaney trey with 5:11 left in the game, Tech went scoreless for the remainder of regulation. Tech had a 52-45 lead at that point, but the offensive drought allowed xavier to crawl back into the game.

With the game tied at 52 and 46.6 seconds left on the clock, Delaney, one of Tech’s most reliable free throw shooters, missed both shots that would have have given Tech the lead and likely the win.

Tech used a 14-4 run early in the second half to build a 10-point lead, but squandered it with poor shot selection, turnovers and ill-timed fouls. But, Seth Greenberg called a timeout and settled them down. Tech actually played pretty well against a xavier team that went to the Elite Eight back in March. Had it not been for the late second-half no show for the offense, Tech would have won this game.

In many respects, it’s a wonder they were even in it at all considering A.D. Vassallo scored only four points in the game on 2-13 shooting. Vassallo, who had been averaging better than 19 points a game, never got into a rhythm thanks to xavier’s aggressive defense that often double-teamed Tech’s perimeter shooters the entire game.

Allen led the Hokies with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Delaney added 15 points and 5 assists. Hudson was the only other Hokie to score in double figures – he had 10 points. Allen continues to show his improved range and accuracy hitting on 1 of 2 three point attempts.

This was a tough loss for the boys, but hopefully one that they can use a chip on their shoulder. But they really needed a quality win against a quality opponent this early in the season. This could come back to haunt Tech come tournament selection time. Next up, a consolation game against the loser of tonight’s other semifinal game between seton hall and memphis. More than likely Tech will face seton hall, which won’t help their RPI much.

I’ll leave the rest to Niemo.

First Round Recap: VT 74, fairfield 57 Boxscore

SEMI-FINAL OPPONENT – xavier (Friday, 1:30 PM EST – ESPNU)

Finally, the Virginia Tech Hokies will face a team that, according to preseason rankings and expectations, is on par with them. xavier is sitting at 29th in both polls while VT is 33/39. This game is a resume builder. A win here will look great come March selection time, considering xavier is picked to win the A-10 and has made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, going 4-3 in that time. In reality, the Hokies would be happy with one quality win in this tournament. That just got a little harder since seton hall stunned #19/20 usc last night. That means if Tech loses to xavier, they would likely play seton hall, which wouldn’t necessarily be a quality win even if the Hokies beat them in the 3rd place game. So I guess there’s only one thing left to do – win the whole [darn] thing!

Both teams are coming off seasons in which they made the final eight of a postseason tournament – the difference is for the musketeers, that tournament was the NCAA (30-7 overall) while it was the NIT for Tech. But while VT returns eight of their top nine players, xavier lost three of their top six scorers (including #1 and #3) and their top two point guards.

The Hokies must exploit xavier’s inexperience at guard. Tech needs to really put pressure on them on the perimeter and keep the musketeers from feeding the ball inside. Dante Jackson will start at the point, but he is more of a shooting guard. Terrell Holloway, a freshman, will spell Jackson or Dante will shift to the 2. Holloway is more of a true point but will be playing just his fourth collegiate game Friday. He did break out with 12 in their 75-71 win against mizzou.

Unlike VT, who gets 75% of their points from their Big 3 (Vassallo, Allen, and Delaney), xavier’s strength is their balance, especially on the wing and inside. Derrick Brown (PF) and C.J. Anderson (G/F) were both All A-10 Preseason selections and are averaging 11.3 and 9 points per game respectively. Another wing, B.J. Raymond is averaging 11 points per game. Four other players are averaging between 6 and 9 points per game. That means everyone, even A.D. Vassallo, must chip in on the defensive end.

Keys to the Game:

• Limit 2nd Chances/Shoot Wisely: xavier has finished at least +13 in rebounding margin in all three games, including an eye-popping +15 against missouri. The musketeers are especially stout on the defensive glass. This is largely due to the fact that their starting lineup is all over 6’5″ with Brown at 6’8″ and Jason Love at 6’9″. The Hokies must limit xavier’s offensive boards and take smart shots on offense since offensive rebounds will be tough to come by. Also, expect Hank Thorns to match-up with Terrell Holloway and Brad Redford when they are in since they are the only guys even close to him in height.
• Do Not Delay Delaney: Malcolm has scored just 8 of his 43 points this season in the first half. With xavier’s inexperience at the point guard position, this is an area for Tech to exploit. Delaney needs to get into the flow early and find his shots.

Probability of a VT Win: 40% (I’d have called it 50/50 if VT had J.T.)

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