Virginia Tech Hokies
Atlantic Coast Conference (21-11, 10-6)
Seed: #5
West Region
RPI: 34
Big Wins:
1/6 at Duke (69-67), 1/13 North Carolina (94-88), 2/13 at North Carolina
(81-80)
Bad Losses:
11/23 vs Western Michigan (68-71), 12/30 at Marshall (58-59), 1/31 NC
State (59-70)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 1996, Second Round loss to Kentucky
Coach:
Seth Greenberg (0-2 in 2 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
Jamon Gordon,
Senior, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.7 spg
Zabian Dowdell,
Senior, Guard, 18.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.2 spg
Deron
Washington, Junior, Guard, 11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Lewis Witcher,
Freshman, Forward, 3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Coleman
Collins, Senior, Forward, 7.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 rpg
Key
Roleplayers:
A.D. Vassallo,
Sophomore, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Nigel Munson,
Freshman, Guard, 3.1 ppg, 1.2 apg
Markus Sailes,
Senior, Guard, 2.2 ppg, 1.1 apg
Cheick Diakite,
Sophomore, Forward, 3.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
There are few
things that are more important in March than senior leadership in the
backcourt to dictate tempo and control the game. Jamon Gordon and Zabian
Dowdell are great passers, rarely turn the ball over and both rank in the
top 40 in the nation in steals. Dowdell is a nightmare to guard. The
Pahokee, FL native can get to the basket, hit the mid-range jumper and knock
down the long ball.
Virginia Tech
will not take too many three’s, but they knock them down when they do. Long
range shooter A.D. Vassallo hits 44.1% from the long range and thanks to the
penetration skills of his backcourt mates, he finds his fair share of open
looks.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
The quality and
experienced guards are great, but there are a couple areas where the Hokies
run into trouble. Virginia Tech consistently gets out-rebounded. Giving up a
slew of second chance points on offensive rebounds can kill Virginia Tech’s
defensive intensity. The other field of concern is at the free-throw line.
The team shoots just 66.4% from the charity stripe and Dowdell is the only
starter that Hokie fans should have any confidence in at the line.
Who To
Watch:
Wing Deron
Washington leads the team with 5.4 rebounds per contest, but forward Coleman
Collins is the player that needs to get more aggressive on the glass. The
6-9 senior has seen his rebounding total decrease every year since he peaked
at 7.0 as a sophomore. Collins has battled injuries throughout his career
and is rarely at 100%, but it is imperative that he at least stops the
opposition from grabbing too many offensive boards.
Joel’s
Bracket Says: First Round loss to Illinois
