Game Thread: VT Basketball wk 8&9: @FSU, @Louisville

[wildturkey]

Combining two weeks since the schedule is a bit funky with one game each week.

1/6: VT @ FSU, @ 7pmEST (TV, check local listings)

1/13: VT @ Louisville (currently#5), @ 7pmEST (TV, check local listings)

VT is entering a really tough stretch of games over the next couple of weeks against quality ranked opponents. Tonight's game against FSU is likely our only shot at a winnable game. FSU has the same record as we do and have looked very hit or miss in process so it stands to reason that if we play with the focus and intensity with that we showed in the 2nd half against Syracuse, we might snag a win. Unfortunately, the game is on the road and the program has never fared well against FSU or on the road in general. I think it ultimately ends up being a loss but we'll still all hope for the best, right?

As for Louisville next week, yeah...maybe just pretend Montrezl Harrell is wearing our jersey like he was once destined to do.

 

[vtfan15]

53-45 FSU at the half. Defense seems to be lacking and FSU is shooting 70+% from the field. Luckily Bibbs and Smith are on fire from three to keep us in it.

 

[wildturkey]

Yep, pretty much. Bibbs and Smith are smoking but FSU is a full on inferno right now. Hopefully they cool off and we continue to simmer. Defensively, we're probably not gonna be much better. It's bad but there's not much else we can do with our personnel. At least our "bigs" aren't in foul trouble yet

 

[wildturkey]

About 8 mins left and the lead is still 8. Problem is they are (predictably) really hammering us on the boards now. Some times they're getting 3 shots in one trip down the floor

 

[wildturkey]

Ugh. Can we just have one run to tie at least? We just keep trading baskets every possession.

 

[wildturkey]

Final score: FSU 86, VT 75.

Pretty decent effort overall but we just never could close that gap. The lead pretty much stayed around 8 pts the entire game.

 

[wildturkey]

Louisville up 43-24 at the half. The game has gone as poorly as I expected. I'm also pretty sure Buzz has tried every defensive scheme you can think of. The one bright spot is Pierce has actually looked decent on a few possessions, a sign that the extra playing time and coaching is aiding in his development.

 

[wildturkey]

Somewhat better half given the circumstances. 69-48 with 6 mins left. We've played them fairly even but I don't think UL is trying all that hard anymore.

 

[wildturkey]

Final score: Louisville 78 , VT 63

We won the second half!!!....after the Cards basically emptied their bench with 5ish minutes left. Bibbs and Smith continued their streak of recent games playing well and Pierce looked ok in spots. Hill had a good game, one of the better ones he's had in awhile. But we had no shot in this as expected. We likely won't in the next 3 or 4 games either. Just a brutal stretch. If we keep getting better thru this stretch, maybe we can get a win on the other side.