Virginia Tech vs. #12 Virginia First Half Game Thread

The Virginia Tech Hokies battle the #12 Virginia Cavaliers in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday evening, as the Hokies look to salvage a season split with their in-state rivals. Follow along with us as we detail the action as it happens.

While you’re waiting for tip-off, check out the game preview here, as well as my assessment of the Hokies’ NCAA Tournament hopes entering tonight’s game here.

Pre-game

Hokies rolling with their same lineup from the Miami game, while Virginia rolls with their usual starting five.

Hokies are 12-2 this season when Zach LeDay scores 15 or more points. That will be something to watch this evening. LeDay had 12 points in the first meeting against Virginia on February 1st.

Action Prior to Under 16 Media Timeout

• Hokies have been aggressive on the boards early, and they have been much more cognizant early on with pushing the offensive pace. Virginia would prefer to play a slower paced, half-court game, while the Hokies would clearly like to get out in transition.
• The one thing that will need to be watched though, of course, is the turnovers. The Hokies have struggled of late taking care of the ball, and a quickened pace may not help that cause.
• Back to the discussion on pace, Virginia averages 21.1 seconds per offensive possession, which is the slowest pace in all of college basketball. There’s an unsurprising stat…
• Virginia leads 6-2 at the under-16 media timeout. The Hokies and Cavaliers have combined for a 3-for-12 start from the field.

Action Prior to Under 12 Media Timeout

• Zach Leday is trying real hard underneath early, but is having trouble converting against a big Virginia frontline.
• Cavaliers have been sloppy early offensively. They’ll live with it if they can slow the pace down and make the Hokies beat them in a half court game.
• Rough start for Ahmed Hill. A couple of ugly misses and a bad travel in the lane.
• I believe that is three blocks already for Mamadi Diakite for Virginia off of the bench. Solid defense and missed open shots a big reason for the Hokies’ rough start offensively. Only one field goal made in the first eight-plus minutes.
• 14-6 lead for the Cavaliers with 10:47 to play in the first half.

Action Prior to Under 8 Media Timeout

• LeDay is working his tail off on the defensive end….really encouraging to see.
• Offensively against Virginia, you HAVE to knock down open looks. Hokies have not done it early and it’s a big reason for the deficit.
• And just as I type that last sentence, Robinson hits a timely three.
• LeDay picks up his second foul with about nine minutes and change to play in the first half. That’s huge, as he’s the Hokies best post threat on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
• Great stretch by Allen there. Hits a three, chases down a defensive rebound, and hits another three. Hokies cut the Virginia lead to 22-17.

Action Prior to Under 4 Media Timeout

• Hokies on 11-0 run and the lead is cut to two. Robinson and Allen have been huge here. Crowd is really starting to get back into it.
• Allen, a 46% shooter from beyond-the-arc on the season, is perfect from deep tonight.
• Hard not to like what you’ve seen out of Khadim Sy thus far, giving good effort on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, boxing out, providing some offense as well.
• Robinson heads to the bench with two fouls with a little over three minutes to go in the half.
• London Perrantes hits another three to extend the Virginia lead back out to five at the final media timeout before the half.

Action Prior to Halftime

• Hokies have been torched by Virginia’s guards cutting to the basket through the zone defense. After cutting it to 24-23, the ‘Hoos have gone on their own 7-0 run to make it 31-23 with a timeout on the floor with 2:18 to play in the half.
• Bibbs misses both free throws. Simply inexcusable in a game where offensive possessions are at a premium.
• Cavaliers end the half on a 13-0 run, and lead the Hokies 37-23 at the half.