The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team faces a quick turnaround tonight when it takes on the Maryland Terrapins in Cassell Coliseum.
After eight days off following their loss at Boston College, the Hokies made easy work of Georgia Tech Sunday in a 102-77 win.
“I was really pleased with our guys, and I’d be lying if I’d say I didn’t have anxiety over that eight day period,” said Seth Greenberg, head coach. “The game is easy when you’re making shots, and we made shots.”
In last year’s home matchup with the Terrapins on Feb. 27, the Hokies battled into double overtime, but it was not enough to overcome the 41 points from senior Greivis Vasquez in a 104-100 loss.
In defeat, Tech got a big contribution from Jeff Allen, who had 25 points and 15 rebounds. This season, Allen has been much more consistent, especially over his last five games.
During a five-game stretch dating back to the Hokies loss in Atlanta to the Yellow Jackets, the Washington D.C., native has averaged 20.2 points and 13.2 rebounds while shooting 56.2 percent from the field.
“Our guys know if Jeff Allen is into it,” Greenberg said, “we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”
One issue Tech has faced in recent games has been the lack of bench scoring. In the same stretch of games that Allen has been dominant, the bench has been surprisingly absent. The bench averaging just five points per game over the stretch doesn’t worry Greenberg.
“We just need them to play well, it’s not always points or rebounds, but it’s making the right pass and making sure your man doesn’t get to the offensive glass,” Greenberg said. “Sure you’d like them to make shots, but we aren’t looking at points, rebounds and assists.”
With Maryland’s recent loss at Boston College, the Hokies will have played only two Atlantic Coast Conference teams coming off of a win — Virginia over Minnesota and North Carolina over UVa.
“Boston College did a great job doing what they had to do to win that game,” said Gary Williams, Maryland head coach. “Virginia Tech had a great win against Georgia Tech, and hopefully we’ll go down there and play well.”
The topic of strength of schedule comes to mind in the latest installment of the NCAA Tournament debate.
In ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi’s latest “Bracketology” tournament projections, the Hokies are listed as a 10-seed in the tournament. That’s nothing to feel great about. With a strength of schedule of 119th in the country, wins against RPI top-100 teams like Maryland are rare.
“(With) Maryland I think about ACC tradition, and what Gary has been able to do, winning Final Fours and National Championships,” Greenberg said about the Terrapins and the Hokies’ statement win on Jan. 20. “They are one of the tradition rich programs in our league and it gives your kids confidence.”
A version of this article appeared in the Feb 15 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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