Collegiate Times

Erick Green drives the ball against Akil Mitchell during the Hokies’ 47-45 win in Charlottesville, Va. on Jan. 22.

Don’t mention the word “spoiler” around Seth Greenberg.

Virginia Tech’s head coach doesn’t want to hear about sweeping U.Va. or potentially preventing the team from making an NCAA Tournament appearance.

He still believes his team has a chance to grab a bid.

“I don’t think anyone is in (the tournament) right now,” Greenberg said. “We’re still trying to play our way into the NCAA Tournament. We’re trying to win because we want to improve our resume.

“Who knows what’s going to happen in the next three weeks. What if we win a bunch of games and get to the finals of the ACC Tournament? We want to win because we want to win.”

The Hokies (15-12, 4-8 ACC) are, without a doubt, far from making the Big Dance at this point, but those within the program retain an optimistic outlook. The team will look to increase its chances tonight by beating rival Virginia for the second time this season.

“Of course we want to come out and win. At the same time, that’s not our main goal — to sweep U.Va.,” said point guard Erick Green. “We just want to come out and win as many games as possible. No one’s said anything about the tournament yet. No one’s been selected yet. We’re just going to keep playing and win as many games as possible.”

After Dorenzo Hudson nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer on Saturday afternoon to help the Hokies beat ACC bottom-feeder Georgia Tech, Greenberg believes his team will be able to carry the momentum into tonight’s contest.

“Obviously it’s a lot easier to prepare for this game coming off a game-winning shot than another gut-wrenching loss,” Greenberg said. “That, combined with playing another league game, another home game and your in-state rival … your only negative in terms of preparation for this game would be time. It’s our fifth game in 12 days.”

The Hokies will have their hands full with a talented, defensive-minded Virginia squad. The Cavaliers (20-6, 7-5 ACC) give up just 51.9 points per game, good for second in the nation.

Greenberg offered high praise for his in-state rivals.

“Virginia’s a physical team, obviously Mike Scott is having a very special season,” he said. “I’m a big Joe Harris fan. He really just has a good feel for how to play the game. Sammy (Zeglinski) has played a lot of basketball and understands how to play.

“(Akil) Mitchell seems like he’s playing well. They’re finding more ways to get him the ball and put him in a better position to be successful. They have one of the best on-ball defenders in the league in Jontel (Evans). Again, they’re a hard-playing, outstanding defensive team that can run on opportunity.” 

Tech won the first matchup, 47-45, in Charlottesville, Va. on Jan. 22. The key for the Hokies in that game was shutting down Scott, the standout forward who was held to just 10 points.

“Mike’s having to work very hard to get good opportunities, and that is to be expected when you’re putting up the numbers he’s putting up,” said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett. “He’s a focus of a lot of defenses. Obviously in that game, Tech did a good job of really making them work.”

Greenberg said he’ll apply a similar strategy to stop Scott the second time around.

“We’re going to defend him the way we have always tried to defend him,” he said. “Defend him early, arrive on the catch, stop him from catching the ball deep, giving help, cutting him off on the second shot — which I think is really important, because he really does a great job of rebounding his misses. He’s a really good
player.”

Green is also well aware of the importance of matching the physicality of Bennett’s squad.

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A version of this article appeared in the Feb 21 issue of the Collegiate Times.