Virginia Tech Hokies Basketball vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets a Preview

Feb 7, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams looks on during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Cassell Coliseum. Florida State defeated Virginia Tech 73-65. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Well Hokie fans the loss to Florida State is still very fresh in all our minds.  The Hokies dropped a very winnable game against the Seminoles on Saturday.  The game not only was an opportunity for a win for the Hokies, but was an opportunity for the Hokies to gain momentum headed into a stretch of favorable matchups for the boys from Blacksburg.  The Hokies need to have short memories as they welcome in the Yellow Jackets from Georgia Tech on Monday night.

Georgia Tech comes into Monday’s game with a record of 11-12 and 2-9 in conference.  The Yellow Jackets are in a similar situation in conference as the Hokies, having only one more conference win than the Hokies.  The Jackets have lost 6 out of their last 8, however they were able to beat a Miami team that was ranked at the time, and a Wake Forest team that beat the Hokies a few games back.

The Yellow Jackets are led in scoring by Marcus Georges-Hunt a 6’5 junior.  Georges-Hunt is averaging just under 14 points a game and is the only Georgia Tech player averaging double figures this year.  The Yellow Jackets are a team the Hokies can finally matchup with size wise.  The tallest player on the Georgia Tech roster is listed at 6’9, a height the Hokies can deal with.

Rebounding has been an issue for the Hokies all year long.  The size of Georgia Tech will give the Hokies an opportunity to even out the numbers on the glass, provided they stay disciplined and box out.  The Yellow Jackets are led on the glass by Charles Mitchell.  Mitchell stands 6’8 and grabs 7 boards a game.  Look for the trio of Satchel Pierce, Shane Henry, and Christian Beyer to get to the glass early and often.

Georgia Tech has shown they are not the best on defense.  The Hokies have struggled at times putting the ball into the hoop.  However, there is a ton of offensive talent on the Hokies just waiting to erupt.  Adam Smith has been a steady force on the offensive end all year long.  Smith, is extremely crafty at creating his own shot.  Also, Smith is deadly from the outside, shooting a blistering 43 percent from behind the arc.  The Hokies need Smith’s sharp shooting and creative shot making to take center stage on Monday night.

Another Hokie that needs to step up on Monday night is Justin Bibbs.  Bibbs, is the leading scorer for the Hokies, but he was non-existent against Florida State.  Bibbs only tallied 3 points in the loss to the Seminoles, all coming from the free throw line.  The Hokies are an extremely balanced team 90 percent of the time, that being said the Hokies leading scorer for the season needs to have more than 3 points for the team to be successful.  Look for Bibbs to finally shake off all the injury rust and explode for the game we know he is capable of having.

So far this season there has been a third random Hokie that has picked up his game to a high level.  One night it was Malik Mueller scoring a career high, or Ahmed Hill hitting what seemed to be all the three’s he took, or Christian Beyer doing all the little things good role players do.  The point is one of these three, or someone else needs to step up and contribute for the Hokies to win the game.  I look for Buzz Williams to motivate his team, and someone to step up and become that third scoring option the Hokies need.

Whoever steps up for the Hokies the fact remains this game is one the Hokies should definitely win.  The toughness of this year’s team cannot be questioned, and for once this might be a game where toughness might be enough to carry the Hokies to a victory.  It is too late for must wins for the Hokies, but this is a game if it ends in a loss that would definitely be a huge disappointment.  I look for the Hokies to try and get out and take control of the game early and never let go of the lead.  The Hokies take this one 79-69, and as always LETS GO HOKIES!!!