3 Positives from Virginia Tech’s Loss to Virginia

Feb 18, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Trevor Thompson (32) and forward Joey Van Zegeren (2) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today, we looked at the reasons why the Virginia Tech Hokies were unable to pull off the upset against Virginia with the Wahoos making a late comeback to avoid a shock upset. However, the Hokies should have won that game and there are plenty of reasons why Virginia Tech fans should be happy about what they are seeing from this team as they head toward the ACC Tournament. The Hokies are now looking like a team that could play the role of spoiler in Greensboro so what are the positives from the Hokies’ close loss to Virginia.

1. Joey Van Zegeren is developing into a well-rounded post player.

For most of the season, Joey Van Zegeren had mainly been a force on the defensive side and a liability on the offensive side but that has changed some in a positive way. Van Zegeren has become a better offensive player and that is helping the Hokies start looking like a team that is going to be a lot better next season. Van Zegeren had 13 points and seemed to put down a few big dunks thanks to the quality job he did taking advantage of the space he gained off of pick and rolls. Van Zegeren has developed a very skilled offensive post game which is making the Hokies a better team.

2. Devin Wilson is playing like he is more experienced than a true freshman.

Devin Wilson played like a man that had been in tons of big games before as Wilson only had 1 turnover against an excellent Virginia defense which is quite impressive for the true freshman. Wilson was the co-leading scorer along with Van Zegeren last night with 13 points and Wilson got it done by getting easy baskets around the rim. The Hokies have had issues with bad shot selection but Wilson’s shot selection was absolutely on point in this game which gave the Hokies a great chance to pull off the upset.

3. Virginia Tech almost beat one of the 15 best teams in college basketball.

There can be no denying about how the Hokies almost beat a Virginia team that is still a little underrated and is definitely one of the top 15 teams in college basketball. The Hokies held the lead for more than half of the game and if it wasn’t for a few late threes, we may be talking about how Virginia Tech pulled off a massive upset instead of a close loss to Virginia. The Hokies have looked like a decent ACC team the last few three games with the close losses at home against Virginia and at Pittsburgh to go with the home win against Miami. The Hokies are showing a lot of improvement and that is great to see for the future of Virginia Tech men’s basketball.