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Virginia Tech Basketball: Hokies ACC tournament first round match-up

By Dwight Lester

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Well fans it is time for Virginia Tech Basketball to either win or go home.  Yes, that’s right its tournament time.  In this case it’s the ACC tournament, in Greensboro, which barring a very impressive run is the only tournament the Hokies will be participating in this year.  However, it is not entirely out of the question for the Hokies to make a run in the ACC tournament.

In order for the Hokies to make a run they first will have to beat a Wake Forest team that has not played the best of late.  The Demon Deacons have lost 5 out of their last 6, including devastating blowouts at the hands of Duke and UVA.  These were two teams the Hokies had some success against.  The Hokies did previously match-up against the Demon Deacons, losing an extremely close match-up.

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The Hokies will be extremely undersized, as they always are, against the Wake Forest front line.  In the first match-up the Hokies did a good job keeping Demon Deacon big man Devin Thomas in check on the offensive end.  Thomas did not score a lot, but he was a huge part of the game passing out of the constant double teams to find wide open shooters.  The Hokies have given up a lot of three point baskets over the season, and this is going to be a major concern in the win or go home scenario.

The Hokies will also need to keep a lid on Codi Miller-McIntyre.  Miller-McIntyre shot the lights out going 7-7 from the field in the last meeting, and finishing the game with 19 points.  If the last couple of games is any indication the Hokies have a hard time stopping a big time scorer.  Defense will be key for the Hokies, in this game as well as any that might follow.

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The offensive side of the ball has been a question for Virginia Tech Basketball program all year long.  Consistency has not been a staple, aside from Adam Smith.  However, in the last game with the Demon Deacons the Hokies had 6 players in double figures.  This is the offensive output Buzz Williams is looking for.  It will take an effort like this for the Hokies to be successful in this game, and in future tournament games.

Look for Adam Smith to get going early, and shake off a poor performance in his last game.  The Hokie sharp shooter will be the catalyst for the Hokie offense and could open up the entire offensive arsenal for the Hokies.  Satchel Pierce will be looked to contribute big time as well, not only on the offensive end, but defensively as well.

The Hokies are in win or go home mode.  This is where Buzz Williams will be put to the true test, as he will have to figure out a way to adapt on the fly. This time of year there are no second chances.  The Hokies have a great chance to get this win, as well as cause some havoc in the ACC tournament.  The Hokies felt the sting of a close defeat from a Wake Forest team, however they will avenge this loss.  Virginia Tech take this one, but it is close 76-72.  Survive and advance Hokies.