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Hokies Basketball: Virginia Tech Barely Loses to #2 UVA 50-47

By Tim Thomas

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Jan 25, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Adam Smith (3) shoots a three point shot at the buzzer against the Virginia Cavaliers that would have sent the game into overtime at Cassell Coliseum. Virginia defeated Virginia Tech 50-47. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into today’s game, no one expected the Virginia Tech Hokies to upset the #2 Virginia Cavaliers outside of Hokie Nation. Most fans believed that while there wasn’t a good chance, there was a small chance of an upset even without leading scorer Justin Bibbs in this game.

This game was a thrilling game and the Hokies nearly pulled off what would have been the biggest upset so far in 2015.

The Hokies were down by as much as 9 in the first half, but they fought and made it a three-point game by halftime. The Hokies came out in the second half and started with a 13-2 run that gave Virginia Tech a 10-point lead with Cassell Coliseum going insane.

Unfortunately, Virginia went on an impressive 17-4 run to have a three-point lead in the final 15 seconds. Adam Smith got a solid look from beyond the arc and nearly made the three-pointer, but it barely went in and out as the Hokies were defeated 50-47.

There is time to break down specifics about the game, but one thing stands out about the way the Virginia Tech Hokies play and that was their effort. It’s clear that the Hokies wanted to win this game a whole lot more than Virginia, but the Cavaliers had enough talent to compensate for the gap in desire and effort to win the game.

The Hokies were hustling throughout the game, and the lack of depth for Virginia Tech caught up some right at the end of the game. However, the effort the Hokies gave was impressive, and the way Adam Smith handled a question after this loss shows that a great culture is being built in Blacksburg.

Smith did not have the best shooting game as he was 5 of 12 from the field, but he had 15 points to lead all players in this game. The Hokies shot a not too bad 45.2% from the field but shot only 26.3% from beyond the arc which proved costly at the end.

Virginia Tech’s lack of size in the frontcourt was an issue once again as Virginia had 12 offensive rebounds compared to only 1 for the Hokies. The Hokies also had 14 turnovers, but they forced 13 turnovers which is very impressive given the experience that Virginia has.

The Hokies held their own with Virginia, but also got a big boost from the impressive crowd at Cassell Coliseum. The fans stepped up and provided an extremely tough environment which was captured well by one Virginia player.

The fans and players both wanted this victory so bad, and the fans deserve tons of credit for staying loud throughout the game even when Virginia made their comeback.

It is definitely clear that the Hokies are going to win some ACC games and that could begin Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

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