Virginia Tech will be riding a tidal wave of confidence and momentum as they travel to Raleigh Wednesday night. The Hokies kicked off their ACC season with a big win at home over the Duke Blue Devils. What do you need to know about Buzz Williams’ Hokies before Wednesday night’s game?
Virginia Tech’s high-octane offense is averaging 84.2 PPG on the season…
Five players are averaging double figures in the points department giving Williams plenty of variety each night. Their balance makes it difficult for opposing teams to hone in on one player when trying to stop their attack. The Hokies are excellent at driving the lane and kicking out as defenses collapse for open looks on the perimeter. Shooting a respectable 49% from the field and 40% from three the Hokies are making teams pay if left open. Their high shooting percentages have yielded high assists per game to the tune of 17 APG. In their last game aginst Duke, they scorched a sound Blue Devils defense by scoring 89 points while knocking down 55% of their shots. Zach LeDay leads Virginia Tech in PPG at 16.1. LeDay does not start but thrives in his scoring role off the bench.
Virginia Tech has four players shooting over 40% from the three-point line this season…
The Hokies have been efficient at knocking down three-pointers this season. In fact, they have four players Ahmed Hill, Seth Allen, Justin Bibb, and Ty Outlaw shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. Buzz Williams has done a great job at building an offense that plays uptempo and looks to shoot the three-ball off of penetration. Virginia Tech is ranked 18th in the NCAA in three-point shooting percentage at 40.3%. Guard Ahmed Hill is shooting 45% from three, ranked 24th in the NCAA. Driving lanes and space are created because of their accuracy from deep.
Virginia Tech takes care of the basketball…
The Hokies are averaging 17 APG on the season ranking them 34th in the NCAA. Not only do they rack up assists but they do not turn over the basketball. Buzz Williams’ team assist to turnover ratio is 1.45 good enough for 19th in the NCAA. Virginia Tech makes the most of their possessions allowing them to average 84.2 PPG.
Defensively Virginia Tech makes teams work for their baskets…
Virginia Tech has held their opponents to shooting just 40% from the field and an even stingier 30% from three. The Hokies were able to bottle up Duke’s high-powered offense last game as they were only able to shoot 41% from the field. Coach Williams has his experienced group buying in defensively leading to a plus 16.2 scoring margin! Teams are averaging 68 PPG when facing the Hokies. Upperclassmen have plenty of experience and know that defense is their ticket to success.
Ranked 21st Virginia Tech is having an excellent start to the season. Buzz Williams has done an excellent job at bringing in talent and then developing that talent. Knocking off Duke is validation that the Hokies are on the rise; however, can they handle the success? Virginia Tech will get their opportunity this Wednesday as they try to beat NC State at PNC Arena.
T Henny was on fire. I would have just fed him all game. Abu sticking to his strengths… dunking. Anytime Abu does anything other than dunk it usually ends in a turnover. Where has Dorn’s game gone? He looks lost out there on offense and defense.
LOL T Henny started getting hot early. I like the way we came out. We need that every game. If we can get Kaptia and Y7 up to par and on the floor more with how we played last night oh boy… I’m not saying that Kapita does’nt foul but the refs give him some calls I want to see replays on. lol Abu keep playing physical down low and that mid range J consistent. Great job! #GETEMRIGHTGOTT!
I agree with everything you said except the Dorn comment. These guys are human after all. One game where he doesn’t score that much isn’t a reason to panic. We are blessed to have him on our team. And I disagree, I don’t think he looked lost. Abu for the first 12 games actually looked lost and confused, and he’s fine.
Wolfer96
7 years ago
it’s crazy that there are only 2 NC State players to put up triple doubles.
rizdolla
7 years ago
I know its early but I’m like the way we are playing.. #GETEMRIGHTGOTT
Mav did have a good game. I’m not knocking Mav. I just feel he comes in the game to early sometimes. What I liked last night is that we just didnt have him and T Henderson running the baseline from side to side all night hoping to get open.
I agree, I hate when Gott has his guys just running baseline to take turnaround 3 pointers. Even though Mav didn’t have a great shooting night from outside, he took it hard to the rim and even made some nifty passes.
rizdolla
7 years ago
Henderson is HOT! Why are we taking him out? I dont understand… I like the play..Lets keep it up guys!!
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Playing at home definitely helps. This team has not performed well on the road and at neutral sites. I think the key will be Yurt7. He needs to bring more physicality than he did last game. It’s ACC time so man up.
rizdolla
7 years ago
Lets go Pack! Lets come out with intensity, play smart ball, Hard nose D and get this W!! It will be a good win… #GETEMRIGHTGOTT!!!
Wolfer96
7 years ago
This is going to be a gut check for the Wolfpack. VT is going to go all out. Will the Pack be able to match the intensity? Will this team remain disciplined and run their sets or will it turn into another one on one fest?
Wolfer96
7 years ago
I’ve always liked Buzz’s coaching style. Even when his teams were undersized he got the most out of them by utilizing team defense and rebounding.
What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren? I caught up with the man who won the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2014 to get his take.
What was it like for you watching NC State go from the #10 seed in the ACC Tournament, to winning the Championship, to going to the Final Four?
I’m a second generation Wolfpack basketball player. Wolf blood runs through my veins, so to be able to witness a ride like that was truly amazing.
What did this run say about Kevin Keatts and these players? In what ways did you see them adapt, change or persevere?
I think that is speaks to the heart that the players have. As a 10th seed in the ACC tournament, it’s easy to pack it in and look towards the offseason, but they did the opposite. They bonded together over adversity and that’s what made them so endearing. Hard work in the face of adversity, that’s something that Wolfpack fans can relate to.
As one of the best players to ever wear the Red & White, what did this run mean to you personally?
As I mentioned earlier, NCSU hoops has been in my family for a long time, so it meant a whole lot personally. This run definitely took me back to some of the fond memories I have of putting on the Red & White and playing in front of a packed house at the PNC.
What was the most memorable moment for you?
I think Mike’s shot to tie the game at the end of regulation. It just felt like destiny at that point. Anytime you get to beat UNC and Duke days apart is special too.
How do you think this run can change things for the NC State Basketball program going forward?
I think that it puts us back on the national radar where we belong. After a magical run like that, I think it makes players want to be a part of that. A run like that reinvigorates a program definitely.
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Warren is 1 of only 6 NC State players to ever be named the ACC Player of the Year. In his Sophomore season, Warren was named a 2nd Team All-American by Sporting News and the AP. He averaged 24.9 points per game, which is the 5th best mark in a single season in NC State history. Warren scored 871 points that year, which is the most points ever scored in a single season by a Wolfpack player.
TJ was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Ross played in 14 games this year, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.
Ross was a consensus 4-star player in the 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.
What did NC State’s miraculous run to the ACC Championship and Final Four mean to Wolfpack legend Chris Corchiani? I caught up with the man who is still NC State’s all-time leader in Assists and Steals to get his take.
What was it like for you watching NC State go from the #10 seed in the ACC Tournament, to winning the Championship, to going to the Final Four?
Man, it was unreal. They caught lightning in a bottle and it was an absolute amazing run. They were a mediocre team all year that turned into a feared team that nobody wanted to play! To win the ACC championship in 5 days and to get to Final Four…..Wow!!
What did this run say about Kevin Keatts and these players? In what ways did you see them adapt, change or persevere?
Keatts received a lot of criticism for 7 years and after this run is deserving of great praise. I think shortening the lineup to 7-8 guys and doing away with the full court press and playing solid half court defense was a great move that obviously paid huge dividends. He also kept this team together which was not easy as they lost last 7-9 going into the. postseason. The guys also grew confident in their roles and played possessed!
As one of the best players to ever wear the Red & White, what did this run mean to you personally?
This run was something I have dreamed about happening and the fact it was so unexpected made it so much sweeter! To see the students, alums, boosters, and fans get what we all have been waiting for was the best!
What was the most memorable moment for you?
Most memorable for me was going to Final Four with my family and enjoying catching up with old friends, boosters, friends and teammates!
How do you think this run can change things for the NC State Basketball program going forward?
This run gives us momentum in so many ways. Listen, this was good not only for our hoops team but for our University! Hopefully our recruiting will take a big step forward with kids wanting to run with the Pack! A month of free advertising should be Huge for the future of our Men’s and Women’s basketball programs!
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When NC State legend Chris Corchiani left NC State, he not only held the school’s record for career Assists and Steals, but he also was career leader in ACC conference history. His 40.8% career Three-Point Percentage ranks 7th in school history. Corchiani was the first player in NCAA history to have 1,000+ career assists.
ON3’s Jamie Shaw put in an RPM earlier today for Georgetown Small Forward Transfer Dontrez Styles to land at NC State. All-time, Shaw’s prediction accuracy is 87%.
I spoke with a source, and it seems like this prediction has some merit.
ON3 ranks Styles as the #66 overall prospect in the Portal.
Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.
Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.
After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.
With his final year of eligibility, maybe he’ll make the right choice this time.
T Henny was on fire. I would have just fed him all game. Abu sticking to his strengths… dunking. Anytime Abu does anything other than dunk it usually ends in a turnover. Where has Dorn’s game gone? He looks lost out there on offense and defense.
LOL T Henny started getting hot early. I like the way we came out. We need that every game. If we can get Kaptia and Y7 up to par and on the floor more with how we played last night oh boy… I’m not saying that Kapita does’nt foul but the refs give him some calls I want to see replays on. lol Abu keep playing physical down low and that mid range J consistent. Great job! #GETEMRIGHTGOTT!
Dorn will come along. We just got alot of weapons (which includes Dorn) and he will find his place and groove.
It’s the ACC’s agenda to wussify college basketball. A lot of Kapita’s fouls should just be no calls.
Yeah it seems to be a trend of him getting called for fouls that shouldnt be called. smh.. They dont want us to be GREAT!!! lol
Agreed, same with Yurtsy
I agree with everything you said except the Dorn comment. These guys are human after all. One game where he doesn’t score that much isn’t a reason to panic. We are blessed to have him on our team. And I disagree, I don’t think he looked lost. Abu for the first 12 games actually looked lost and confused, and he’s fine.
it’s crazy that there are only 2 NC State players to put up triple doubles.
I know its early but I’m like the way we are playing.. #GETEMRIGHTGOTT
That 1st half was the best this team has played all season
Should have taken Mav out and put in Dorn.
Mav played a hell of a game today
Mav did have a good game. I’m not knocking Mav. I just feel he comes in the game to early sometimes. What I liked last night is that we just didnt have him and T Henderson running the baseline from side to side all night hoping to get open.
I agree, I hate when Gott has his guys just running baseline to take turnaround 3 pointers. Even though Mav didn’t have a great shooting night from outside, he took it hard to the rim and even made some nifty passes.
Henderson is HOT! Why are we taking him out? I dont understand… I like the play..Lets keep it up guys!!
Playing at home definitely helps. This team has not performed well on the road and at neutral sites. I think the key will be Yurt7. He needs to bring more physicality than he did last game. It’s ACC time so man up.
Lets go Pack! Lets come out with intensity, play smart ball, Hard nose D and get this W!! It will be a good win… #GETEMRIGHTGOTT!!!
This is going to be a gut check for the Wolfpack. VT is going to go all out. Will the Pack be able to match the intensity? Will this team remain disciplined and run their sets or will it turn into another one on one fest?
I’ve always liked Buzz’s coaching style. Even when his teams were undersized he got the most out of them by utilizing team defense and rebounding.