Game Thread: HokieHoops Wk7: vs NC State, vs #5 UVA

[wildturkey]

1/2: VT vs NC State, 2pmEST (check local TV listings)

1/4: VT vs #5 UVA, 9pmEST (ESPN2)

After two blowout losses to good teams in St. Joes and WVU, we open ACC play with a brutal stretch of games. The only positive is the games are at home. Both NC State and UVA could easily be blowouts as well and then we've got Duke next Saturday. I'd say 0-3 to start ACC play is a likely possibility, especially now that Chris Clarke is done for the year.

 

[Ragingcroc]

Woo that was crazy close. We were helped a lot by the crappy NC State FT shooting but we did play good defense for the most part.

 

[ckhokie]

Totally shocked to see us win a game by making FTs and the opponent missing them down the stretch.

 

[ckhokie]

First place in the ACC. Enjoy it, boys.

 

[Ragingcroc]

First place in the ACC. Enjoy it, boys.

We're actually tied for 2nd. UNC already has 2 ACC wins.

 

[wildturkey]

That was a great effort there in the 2nd half and OT to get the win. We need to play that way every game. Things looked pretty bleak there in the 1st half. We got some decent looks early I thought but missed them. Those misses and the refs pretty much letting Anya be an MMA fighter out there seemed it took the energy away from us and every possession was a whole bunch of nothing with minimal effort. 2nd half was totally different, lots of energy, lots of aggression on both sides of the ball. Even if we lost I would have been happy to see that kind of play. Definitely ecstatic with the win though. It's much needed after two blowouts and two tough games coming up.

Hudson really stepped up big today with Bibbs' shot apparently still out celebrating New Years. Hopefully Hudson's play continues. If both guys can play to their potential, we can still be in most games even without Clarke

 

[Hokie200proof]

We're actually tied for 2nd. UNC already has 2 ACC wins.

Just had to be a wet blanket there, didn't you?

 

[Ragingcroc]

We almost gave that one away at the end but great game all around!

 

[ckhokie]

Didn't want to post to jinx it. Awesome win.

Up 11 with less than 2 and almost giving it away is the most HokieHoops thing ever, though.

 

[wildturkey]

Holy crap. Did not expect to be 2-0 to star ACC play. We played a great game tonight limiting our turnovers against an excellent defensive team and it paid off. The energy, effort, and cohesion has really stepped up the last two games. We look nothing like the team that ended December. And after so many close ACC losses last year, its so good to see all the work Buzz and the team has put pay off in a huge way. I figured at the start of the season we might see an upset or two. It's so satisfying that its over at top 5 team that also happens to be UVA.

 

[Hokie200proof]

They're beginning to believe in themselves and each other. This is how the foundation for great things next year gets built and solidified this year. Hope they keep it going, but man oh man, every GD game in the ACC is a killer.