Now that I've seen the game, I can comment a little more on Georgia Tech's team (and VT's performance as well). First off, GT came out with thuggery on their mind. You get the sense that they really don't like our players, and that they've felt that way for a good, long while. I think Delaney's antics were really pissing them off, hence the forearm shiver from Gani Lawal and the shoulder-first drive by Iman Shumpert that was incorrectly called a blocking foul. I don't think I'm being a homer on this one... Shumpert lowered his shoulder to charge through Delaney, and when that happens I am pretty sure it's always supposed to be called a charge. Fortunately, Delaney got some calls that he didn't necessarily earn. This referee crew was more sympathetic to Malcolm's extreme reactions. I am hoping we see this kind of referee crew a lot more from here on out. As a side note, I definitely think it's an advantage that most of the referee crews doing the NCAA tournament will not be from the ACC. Crews that have not seen Delaney's "art-work", Allen's physical misgivings, or Thompson's mouth will be more fair in their calls. At any rate, getting back to the original point, this was a real slugfest and we can be happy that none of our players were seriously injured.
The barrage of three-pointers in the first half was just what the doctor ordered. The Hokies hadn't shot that well from deep for an entire half this whole season. They hadn't even come close. Delaney, Allen, Bell, and Atkins all got in on the action. The shooting cooled off considerably in the second half, but just to know that they can go on a streak like that must give our players some confidence in their abilities.
As an aside, I am going to tear my XM radio asunder. This thing could not be pissing me off more right now. We moved offices last week, and since then I have been unable to get a consistent signal on my radio from the new cubicle. There's good basketball on the radio right now (the Big East tournament), and I am interrupted every 5 seconds by hissing and dead spots. I'LL SHOW YOU A DEAD SPOT, XM RADIO! Unbe-freaking-lievable.
My impressions of Georgia Tech: their bigs (Lawal, Favors, and Peacock) are awesome, Shumpert is capable of having an occasional big game, but seems sporadic, and everyone else is forgettable. You need good guards to play in the ACC (or to go anywhere in the NCAA tournament), and Georgia Tech is certainly lacking in that department. By the way, remember when Maurice Miller torched us for 30-some points? He hardly sees any playing time anymore. Somehow that needs to be the coach's fault right? You suck, Paul Hewitt. Prepare yourself for coaching adventures at Stetson/Delaware/Florida A&M/etc... your time at Georgia Tech will be over in less than a month.
GT destroyed us on offensive rebounds... 13-4, and it definitely felt like they did when you watched the game. They kept getting all these second chances and VT was one-and-done just about every time they took a shot. We also committed six more turnovers... so in essence, we gave the Ramblin' Wreck 15 more possessions, and still came out with a six point win. So what was the difference? Shooting. VT was better in Field Goal Percentage (51% to 38%), 3-point Percentage (52.9% to 37%), and Free Throw Percentage (80.6% to 69.2%). Admit it, you didn't think this team would ever be able to win by out-shooting another team as our only advantage. I think this last game wins the scavenger hunt... this season's team has now won every possible way that you can win. Our reward is a trip to the Large Social.
By tomorrow, I am hoping we will hear some good news about Dorenzo's Hudson's ailing foot and Jeff Allen's bothersome shoulder. If both players are feeling refreshed and ready to play... look out.
I mentioned this in the comments section of my last post, but if we can beat either of Miami or Wake Forest (and that's no small task), then it would be in VT's best interest for the other two semi-final teams (in other words, the two not named "Duke") to have a fan base close to Greensboro. Why? Because their fans would undoubtedly support the Hokies in a game against the hated Dookies. So, honestly the best semi-final match-up on the other side of the bracket would be Clemson v. UNC. If, by some miracle, that were to happen... VT would easily have more fans in the stands than Duke. Keep your fingers crossed.
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