Virginia Tech Basketball Week 4: Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, Iowa, Oklahoma St.

[hokiegrad]

This year's team definitely needs to work on their double teams and getting through screens on defense. You can't double a big man 15 feet from the basket, especially when he then backs up to the 3-point line. Also, I guess it's JJ's philosophy, but we go under every screen and then do not do a good job of hedging on ball screens. This allows easy shots and/or drives especially when the screener rolls and further ties up the on-ball defender.

I was wondering about the screens as well last night. I don't think it's JJ's philosophy, as I'm pretty sure in the preseason I heard quotes about fighting through screens more rather than going under. Not sure what is up there. Hopefully just a team playing its 6th game under a new coach, and we're not still having this discussion in a month.

 

[Lumbee09]

The defense needs work, but I think it will get better before ACC play starts. We saw at points late in the game yesterday where our defense was getting a lot of steals and pressuring well. Beginning of the game was a different story, though.

As long as the offense keeps up like it has so far this year, this team will be very competitive in the ACC. I think it's pretty safe to say nobody expected them to be playing like they are at this point. Let's just hope for no injuries.

 

[hokiegrad]

game preview:
Preview | #15 oklahoma state (5-0) @ VT (6-0) | Saturday, 2 PM | ESPN3|Tech Hoops

Nash is turning into the star you’d expect – 19.2 ppg and 6.4 rebounds. But check out Smart’s stat stuffers – 13.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg (this is a guard!), 5.8 apg, 2.4 steals, 1.4 blocks. That’s nuts, and from a freshman. He had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks, and 4 steals in their 20 point win over then #6 nc state. Yeah, he can play. Brown will need to bring his A game on defense Saturday. Eddie will likely draw Nash.

We are going to have to find a way to slow those guys down. I'm not worried about the rest of their team. And it sounds like they have less depth than we do. We will need to get the ball inside early and often, both to capitalize on our athletic advantage and to get them in foul trouble.

 

[Ray]

they have many injuries that will force freshman and injured ones who are not ready to play alot to fill in. cobbins is back but not 100%, jourick and soucek are both out i think

 

[Ragingcroc]

That was some bullshit call on the second foul on Erick Green. Nice flop by Smart.

 

[robV703]

That was some bullshit call on the second foul on Erick Green. Nice flop by Smart.

Lots of soft fouls being called, almost all against us.

 

[Ragingcroc]

I don't think I've ever seen a foul IN THE FUCKING BACKCOURT when the defending players pretty much hugs the offensive player and then flops.

 

[robV703]

There is no excuse for Brown to be as bad a free throw shooter as he is. Awful.

 

[robV703]

Pretty clear their strategy is to fall over whenever they get close to Green.

 

[Ragingcroc]

Why are doubling bigs 15 feet away from the basket????

 

[Ragingcroc]

Raines missed a wide open player but instead shot a forced shot. Also love the 2-3 against a team like okie state especially with Will johnston on the floor

 

[Ragingcroc]

Rankin has been horrible so far. Dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble.

 

[Ragingcroc]

Also I was wrong. I don't think Will Johnston can be good enough at man D or zone D to play any more than a few minutes a game.

 

[robV703]

Rankin has been horrible so far. Dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble.

Yeah, we need more out of him then bring the ball up the court and the occasional 3.

 

[Ragingcroc]

wow brown is fast

 

[Ragingcroc]

Green is in beast mode.

 

[Ragingcroc]

HOLY SHIT STOP FUCKING DOUBLING BIGS 15 FEET AWAY FROM THE BASKET

 

[robV703]

NCAA needs a flopping rule.

 

[robV703]

NCAA needs a flopping rule.

This.

 

[Ragingcroc]

flop flop flop flop