Virginia Tech Hokies
ACC (21-11, 11-3)
Coach Buzz Williams entered his fourth season at Virginia Tech with the expectations gradually rising from last year’s NCAA Tournament squad. The Hokies did not take much of a step forward this year, but they did manage to beat North Carolina, Clemson and Virginia. If this team gets hot, they will be a tough out.
Big Wins: 1/22 North Carolina (80-69), 2/10 at Virginia (61-60), 2/26 Duke (64-63)
Bad Losses: 11/16 vs Saint Louis (71-77), 12/31 at Syracuse (56-68), 2/24 Louisville (68-75)
Coach: Buzz Williams
Why They Can Surprise:
The Hokies boast a very efficient offense. They are one of the most consistent shooting teams in the country and they do not just do it inside the arc. There are four very dangerous three-point shooters and they all connect on around 39 percent of their attempts from long range. Justin Robinson is the top all-around scorer, averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 assists per game. He facilitates the offense and will attack the basket effectively. Justin Bibbs, Ahmed Hill and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the other dangerous shooters. When those four are all hitting their shots, which is most of the time, the Virginia Tech offense is tough to stop.
Why They Can Disappoint:
With so much perimeter talent on the floor, Virginia Tech does struggle on the glass. Offensive rebounds are especially rare. Kerry Blackshear, Jr., a 6-10 sophomore, is a great scorer and does a lot of work on the glass. The depth behind Blackshear is a concern though. P.J. Horne is listed as a forward, but at 6-5 he is not much of a threat on the glass. Chris Clarke, a 6-6 wing, has to attempt to pick up most of the slack. With 6.5 rebounds per game, he does lead the team in that department. Clarke is a superb all-around player, but he and Blackshear can only do so much on the glass.
Probable Starters:
Justin Robinson, Junior, Guard, 13.8 ppg, 5.6 apg
Devin Wilson, Senior, Guard, 3.0 ppg, 1.7 apg
Justin Bibbs, Senior, Guard, 13.1 ppg, 1.7 apg
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Freshman, Guard, 10.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Kerry Blackshear, Jr., Sophomore, Forward, 12.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
P.J. Horne, Freshman, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Chris Clarke, Junior, Guard, 8.2 ppg, 3.0 apg, 6.5 rpg
Ahmed Hill, Junior, Guard, 11.1 ppg, 1.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.2 (47th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.8 (160, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.0 (8, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.6 (98, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.8 (81, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.0 (29, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.9 (194, 10)
Rebound Margin: -1.4 (253, 14)
Assists Per Game: 16.5 (25, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.0 (88, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Wisconsin
2016 NIT First Round win over Princeton
2016 NIT Second Round loss to BYU
2011 NIT First Round win over Bethune-Cookman
2011 NIT Second Round loss to Wichita State
2010 NIT First Round win over Quinnipiac
2010 NIT Second Round win over Connecticut
2010 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Rhode Island
2009 NIT First Round win over Duquesne
2009 NIT Second Round loss to Baylor
2008 NIT First Round win over Morgan State
2008 NIT Second Round win over UAB
2008 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Mississippi
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Illinois
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Southern Illinois
*all team stats through 3/4
