Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech lost to Florida State, 63-59, on Jan. 10. Since then, the No. 20 Seminoles have beaten ACC powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, and appear to be well on their way to an NCAA tournament appearance.

“Tallahassee, (Fla.) has been a tough place for us to play,” Greenberg said. “I’d like to put my finger on it, but the only thing I can point to is they’ve got really good players. They’re big, physical, long, athletic, and they defend.”

Several times this season, Greenberg has pointed to toughness as a reason for the team’s struggles. Despite some impressive performances, the Hokies have been unable to string together victories.

“I think our team is playing really tough, but sometimes we don’t go after the loose balls or we miss some block outs,” said guard Marquis Rankin. “Guarding the full possession, then at the end just kind of giving up. It’s tough, but we have to fight through it.”

Rankin, a true freshman who missed the first seven games of the season with a knee injury, has started the last four games at point guard. The Hokies are 2-2 in those games.

“I figured it would take a long time (to start), but coach just told me he wanted me to be a leader,” Rankin said. “Just get more of my teammates involved and just talk on the floor. It did kind of surprise me that he started me the past couple games.”

Rankin starting at point guard means Green is now playing more two-guard, a switch very similar to what the Hokies did last year with Malcolm Delaney and Green.

“It makes me look for my offense a lot more,” Green said. “Coming off ball screens, getting out in transition and running. I’m in the open floor where I do very well. It rests me a little bit too, instead of bringing the ball up the floor, it gives me a break.”

For the Hokies to pull off a win over the No. 20-ranked Seminoles tonight, they’ll have to play one of their better games of the season. Florida State just recently lost to Boston College, showing that even the top ACC teams are susceptible to an upset.

“(Florida State) had a little hiccup, but that happens in college basketball,” Greenberg said. “They’re not immune to it, just like anybody else.”

The Hokies square off against the Seminoles tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

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A version of this article appeared in the Feb 16 issue of the Collegiate Times.