Virginia Tech looks to make a run in the NIT
"We just want to keep playing as long as we can," said Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg. "I think that every game you win, it's a reward and another opportunity."
While some coaches would be irate at being relegated to the NIT, Greenberg isn't. He may have some marquee opponents headed his way this postseason. Tech could play host to fellow former bubble teams such as Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Mississippi if it can make a run in the tournament.
"There are terrific teams with great traditions in this tournament," Greenberg said.
One thing playing to his team's advantage is that it should not have to leave the friendly confines of Cassell Coliseum until play shifts to Madison Square Garden in New York City beginning in the semifinal round.
"Obviously the committee thought we earned it and it's very flattering," Greenberg said.
But the Hokies still have to take care of business against those opponents when they come to Cassell, the first of which is Morgan State, which earned an automatic bid to the NIT by winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the regular season.
The Bears are led in scoring by Jamar Smith (17.0 ppg), Reggie Holmes (13.0 ppg) and Marquise Kately 12.8 ppg. Boubacar Couly averages 9.8 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game.
"You've got to go out and play basketball," Greenberg said. "We're playing a team that's won 22 games this season, who's expecting to win, who plays to win, who's extremely athletic (and) who has a lot of high-major transfers."
Virgina Tech is led in scoring by A.D. Vassallo (16.6 ppg), Deron Washington (12.8 ppg) and Jeff Allen (12.2 ppg). Freshman point guard Malcolm Delaney has averaged 10.5 points per game over his last eight contests.
The Hokies come into the game hot. They're 5-2 in their last seven with the two losses coming in less than the last five combined seconds and amounting to a mere total of three points. The question is whether such momentum transfers over from the regular season to the postseason.
"You would hope it does," Greenberg said.
The Hokie Nation will find out if it does tonight at 7 p.m. inside Cassell Coliseum. For those not able to attend, the game can be seen live on ESPN Classic.
Tickets are $15 for the general public and $5 for Virginia Tech students. However, 3,000 free tickets have been made available to students by Greenberg and other donors, which can be picked up at the ticket window inside Cassell Coliseum.
