CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Over a week earlier, Seth Greenberg felt great about his team. Virginia Tech’s 0-3 start in the ACC hasn’t changed that, but it certainly hasn’t put the Hokies in a good position as they head into a stretch where the schedule doesn’t get any easier. That’s where the Hokies stand after a 61-59 loss at Boston College on Saturday, and it leaves them needing to do some things better surrounding their offense.
It didn’t help that the Hokies were without their top player, point guard Erick Green, who missed the game with a sprained LCL in his left knee. The Hokies had a pretty good idea that he might not be able to go, although he wound up being a game-time decision. That left them with Marquis Rankin as the only point guard and left players like Dorenzo Hudson and Robert Brown to have to handle the ball more than they are accustomed to. It showed, as Virginia Tech struggled mightily to score in the halfcourt offense with 17 turnovers and poor shooting for much of the second half.
Given the offensive struggles, it would seem that the Hokies need to get points from the defense. That was something echoed by players and coach alike after the game.
“We’ve got to be much better in transition,” said Greenberg. We need to get our bigs involved in the break, we need to get out and run better.”
Added freshman Robert Brown: “We just have to play with more confidence and at a faster pace offensively. I think we played good defense, but I think we struggled, one not having our point guard, but two, not moving as fast as we needed to.”
In the first half, Virginia Tech was able to do that, as they had 13 points off nine Boston College turnovers. Still, BC had a 29-27 lead as they shot well when they didn’t give the ball away and Virginia Tech struggled out of the gates. As the Hokies struggled to do anything offensively in the second half, they gradually fell behind by as much as 11 before a late rally fell short.
As has been the case in some past years, Virginia Tech’s non-conference resume isn’t full of wins against teams that are sure to make the NCAA Tournament. They have two wins over Oklahoma State, but right now the Cowboys aren’t looking like an NCAA Tournament team, especially after losing by 41 at Baylor on Saturday. In light of that, the Hokies came into ACC play likely needing to get some wins against the upper echelon of the conference, and an 0-3 start puts them even more behind the eight-ball.
It would seem that the Hokies are at what could be a turning point in the season. They host North Carolina on Thursday, then head to arch-rival Virginia and host BYU before heading to Maryland to play a Terrapin team that is playing well of late. After that, Duke comes to town. For Greenberg, moving on to that stretch means doing what they have been doing, but better.
“We’re not going to reinvent ourselves. It would be foolish,” said Greenberg. “Eight days ago, we thought we were pretty good. We’ve just got to continue to work.”
Hudson echoed the sentiment, adding: “Throughout the game, we just need to be ready to play each and every possession. My message is to stay the same, stay positive, and try to gut out a win.”
The Hokies have good depth, which was thought to be a concern before the season. But that isn’t translating into much at the offensive end, and as long as they’re without Green they may continue to struggle. That means the emphasis on playing faster and scoring off defensive stops and turnovers will be paramount. The Hokies are shooting just over 35 percent in ACC play thus far. Defense isn’t nearly as big a concern, as opponents are shooting below 40 percent against them on the season.
Virginia Tech can certainly turn the page successfully from their 0-3 start in ACC play. They’ll have to do it soon given what’s in front of them, and it will start with offensive improvement and getting points off the defense. They have done it, but will have to do it more.
