NC State at Virginia 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 almost pulled off a massive upset this past Tuesday at Cassell Coliseum against the Virginia Cavaliers but the Hokies will have a chance to get their tenth win of the season as the NC State Wolfpack come to Blacksburg. The Wolfpack are a long shot to make the NCAA Tournament but the Hokies should be expecting to go against a NC State team that can get onto the bubble if they win out. The Hokies have a lot of momentum entering this game after the win over Miami and close losses to Virginia and at Pittsburgh.
T.J. Warren is the star player for the Wolfpack as the sophomore forward is averaging 23.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game but what is most impressive is that Warren is averaging 1.6 steals per game which is extremely good for a forward. Warren is likely to be on Joey Van Zegeren and Trevor Thompson a lot today, and both of those players had some issues with turnovers against Virginia. Warren is a fairly good mid-range player and a player like Thompson will try to get a couple blocks though that won’t be easy. Both Thompson and Van Zegeren have a height advantage on Warren and while neither player will play as well as Warren, they will both get some quality opportunities today. Thompson has proven himself as someone that can stretch the floor not to the three-point line but his mid-range game could be something that surprises today.
Feb 8, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Devin Wilson (11) handles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 62-57 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Wilson has been improving game-by-game and he is starting to become more consistent in terms of being a quality point guard. Wilson will go against another true freshman point guard in Anthony Barber who on paper is a better player but will not have it so easy at Cassell Coliseum against Wilson. Barber is not a guy that forces very many turnovers and that is to the advantage of Wilson who I think will avoid having a turnover all game today.
This game is going to come down to NC State and how successful T.J. Warren is as James Johnson will try to slow him down. The Hokies need to make the rest of the Wolfpack beat them and not Warren which is similar to the Hokies with Erick Green last season. The Hokies will not completely shut Warren down but he will not be as effective as normal today. Eddie will both be a threat from beyond the arc and help boost the Hokies to their tenth win of the season in a low-scoring game.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 61, NC State 54
Who do you think will win this game, will the Hokies get the job done or will the Wolfpack leave with a victory?
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