Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech Preview and Prediction
By Tim Thomas
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
The Virginia Tech Hokies have had a tough run in 2014 with only 1 win in the new year but the Hokies get their last chance for a second regular season victory at McCamish Pavilion against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Of course, Georgia Tech is entering this game with a lot of momentum after taking down the 7th-ranked Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Despite the win, Georgia Tech head coach Brian Gregory might just be on the hot seat though the same could be said about James Johnson except Johnson has been the head coach for a year less but lacks that signature win this season.
Georgia Tech is not a very good three-point shooting team as the Yellow Jackets are shooting 31.5% as a team on the season which is quite poor. The Hokies’ zone defense has done a good job at shutting down guys in the post and the teams that have had the most success against it have been able to stretch the floor and then attacked the paint later. Georgia Tech might not be able to do what it wants to on offense if they struggle to shoot the three and this is a team that is already one of the most offensively inefficent teams in a major conference.
Joey Van Zegeren and Trevor Thompson have both developed into a solid frontcourt duo that also are quality shot blockers but they are going against a much more experienced talented frontcourt duo in Daniel Miller and Robert Carter Jr. Van Zegeren and Thompson might not be as physical as the Georgia Tech duo but Van Zegeren and Thompson have both been playing well over the last few games. Miller and Carter are more proven players but Thompson and Van Zegeren have the ability to play at that level. This is a very even matchup that will be decisive in the outcome and I lean towards the Georgia Tech duo based on experience and their homecourt advantage.
Another battle of youth and experience will be at point guard with freshman Devin Wilson going against Georgia Tech senior and leading scorer Trae Golden. Wilson has become a very dynamic passer but he does have some turnover issues but forcing turnovers is definitely not Golden’s specialty. Wilson has been playing extremely well lately and he will come out and have a big time performance to give the Hokies a really good chance at the upset.
This is the type of game that should be a win for Georgia Tech but the Hokies will be ready for this final game. It will be Senior Day so emotions will be high for Georgia Tech but that doesn’t mean that the Yellow Jackets will definitely win. This game has the makings of a let-down game after Georgia Tech took down the Syracuse Orange in the Carrier during the week. Both of these teams will be playing on the Opening Day of the 2014 ACC Tournament but the Hokies will pull off the surprise and get a big win.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 65, Georgia Tech 62
What do you think? Will the Hokies pull off the upset or will Georgia Tech win?
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