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Virginia Tech vs. Miami Second Half Thread

By Mike McDaniel

Feb 27, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11) shoots while being defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard/forward Ty Outlaw (42) in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11) shoots while being defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard/forward Ty Outlaw (42) in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite eight first half turnovers and only one point from Seth Allen and Zach LeDay combined, the Hokies hold a narrow 27-26 halftime advantage over the visiting Miami Hurricanes. Offensively, the story of the half is Ty Outlaw, who continues his hot hand from deep. He hit four first half three point attempts to lead all scorers with 12 points.

The full game preview of this game can be found here, and the first half thread can be read in its entirety here.

Action Prior to Under 16 Media Timeout

  • Khadim Sy with an up-and-under to attempt to start the second half scoring for the Hokies. He missed it, but got fouled and made both free throws. That is a shot he wouldn’t have even thought about attempting earlier in the season, which speaks to his offensive development.
  • Justin Robinson whistled for two quick fouls in the first two minutes of the half. He goes to the bench with three personals. His aggressiveness has been great all night on both ends, but he cannot afford to get into foul trouble with the Hokies so thin in the rotation.
  • Ty Outlaw with another three. He’s made 10 of his last 11 from deep, and now leads all scorers with 15.
  • Davon Reed is starting to turn it on offensively for Miami. He’s the one guy on the Hurricanes that the Hokies cannot afford to allow to get hot. He can score in bunches when he’s on. At the media timeout, Miami leads 34-33.

Action Prior to Under 12 Media Timeout

  • Outlaw with his sixth three of the night. He has 18 points now. The three came on the heels of a possession in which the Hokies ran out and trapped the wing defensively. They have forced a couple of turnovers tonight by running the trap out of their man-to-man defensive looks. It is an effective wrinkle that Buzz Williams has thrown in more and more lately.
  • Robinson got caught on his heels under the basket and gets called with his fourth personal foul shortly after re-entering the game. With 13:19 to play, that is a huge foul call against the Hokies.
  • Miami continues to leave Outlaw open, as he hits his seventh three of the night to give the lead back to the Hokies at 41-38.
  • Allen left his feet and threw the ball away, which he seems to unfortunately do at least twice per game. He came back on the next possession with a driving layup, which was followed by a steal and score by Ahmed Hill. The Hokies have scored the last seven points and are on a 12-3 run to take the 45-38 lead. We’ve got a good one going here.

Action Prior to Under 8 Media Timeout

  • Credit to Miami, every time they need a big bucket, they seem to cash in and cut into the Hokies lead.
  • Anthony Lawrence has been really, really good tonight for Miami. He is only averaging around seven points per game this season, but is up to 15 points tonight for the Hurricanes.
  • Hurricanes are on a 7-0 run since the under 12 media timeout. We’re all square at 45.

Action Prior to Under 4 Media Timeout

  • Miami keeps on hanging around after a layup by Kamari Murphy puts the Hurricanes back up by two. It’s been a game of runs here in the second half.
  • Hill and LeDay have been really solid here defensively in the second half.
  • The Hokies have not made a field goal in over seven minutes, which can’t happen in close games like this. Thankfully, the defense has held up well.
  • Seth Allen finally pours one in one a driving layup with five minutes to play. Hokies are back up on top. They’ll need him to be aggressive down the stretch.
  • Hokies are doing a great job boxing out in this game tonight. Ton of one-and-done’s by the Hurricanes offense.

Action Prior to End of Regulation

  • Ty Outlaw hits a clutch three coming off of a down screen with 2:49 to play, and the Hokies are starting to squeeze the Hurricanes here as they try to close out this win at home. Outlaw has 24 points and his eight threes break a school record that was held by teammate Justin Bibbs.
  • After another defensive stop, LeDay scrambles on the offensive end to slam it home to give the Hokies a 60-54 lead with 2:12 to play. Cassell is absolutely rocking.
  • Murphy lost the ball on the way up, and a late whistle sends him to the line. He was never touched on the phantom foul call, and after two made free throws, he has cut the Hokies lead to three with a little over a minute to play.
  • After the Hokies hit a couple of free throws, Miami’s Bruce Brown hits a driving layup and Jim Larranaga calls a quick timeout. 62-59 Hokies in what will be a sprint to the finish with 57 seconds left in regulation.
  • Allen continues his offensive aggressiveness and gets to the foul line again. He has once again been absolutely huge down the stretch. He knocks down both free throws to extend the lead to 64-59 for the Hokies.
  • Kamari Murphy continues to drive to the bucket for Miami. His dunk cuts the Virginia Tech lead back down to three. It’s never easy in ACC play.
  • Zach LeDay took the inbounds pass and Miami chose to foul instead of trap him in the corner. I’m not sure I agree with that strategy by the Hurricanes. LeDay hits one-of-two free throws and the Hokies hold a 65-61 lead with 10.5 seconds to play.
  • After a dead ball out of play, Justin Robinson steals the inbounds pass to seal the victory for the Hokies at the free throw line. Hokies beat Miami 66-61 to improve to 21-8 and 10-7 in the ACC.