The Hokies of Virginia Tech come to town tonight. Here's what I had to say the last time these two teams played.
This game could potentially be the last home game for this year's batch of seniors. It's a possibility that these guys will get to play on their home court again in the NIT, but it's more likely that we will be one of the last teams selected to that field and be forced to hit the road. At this point, the seniors-Tanner Smith, Andre Young, Bobo Baciu, and Bryan Narcisse-have to be thinking that this is probably the last time they ever play at Littlejohn.
It's going to be hard for Tanner and Andre to top what they did last game. Both guys, who already play with so much heart, will be even more motivated for tonight's game, and I expect a hell of an effort from both of them. Look for both of them to play well over 30 minutes, score in double figures, and also dish out a few assists.
Bryan and Bobo will see probably see playing time in the teens. Bobo has made great strides this season, and I'd expect to see two or three field goals out of him today, with an outside shot at scoring in double figures. B-Nice will give his all on defense as always, but I'd be surprised to see much on offense from him. He's started in ten straight games, but is only averaging 2.4 ppg in that span, and hasn't scored a single point in the last three. All he did last game on offense was throw a bunch of bricks from downtown. He might not bring it on the offensive side of the ball, but look for Bryan to get after it on defense. Brownell likes to use him at the top of the key, manning up on one of the opponents' best ball handlers.
He'll probably man up on Tech's Erick Green some tonight. Green leads the Hokies in scoring and assists, with 15.7 ppg and 2.7 apg. Fellow guard Dorenzo Hudson is back in the starting lineup for the Hokies after playing a 6th man role in the game up at Blacksburg, and is 2nd on the team with 11 ppg. Tech's frontcourt is led by Jarell Eddie and Dorian Finney-Smith. Both guys scored in double figures against us in the February 4th contest, and could easily give us problems again tonight.
The Hokies are just 4-10 in the ACC, and are coming off of a heartbreaking OT loss at Cameron Indoor. Seth Greensburg, master of the NCAA tournament near miss, is under fire this year with the team unlikely to make even the NIT. The Tigers meanwhile, our on a roll of late, having won 4 of our last 5. Look for the Tigers to keep that momentum rolling tonight, as we avenge the loss in Blacksburg with a bittersweet senior night victory.
A win clinches at least a .500 record in the ACC. Game tips at 9 on the ACC Network. (ABC in the Upstate)
Projected Starting Lineup for the Hokies:
#11 Erick Green 6-3, 185 junior PG
#5 Dorenzo Hudson 6-5, 220 senior G
#31 Jarell Eddie 6-7, 218 sophomore G/F
#14 Victor Davila 6-8, 242 senior F
#15 Dorian Finney-Smith 6-8, 192 freshman F