After finishing their non-conference schedule at 11-2, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team opened ACC play on Wednesday at Cassell Coliseum in the first of two Commonwealth Clashes with Virginia. Mike Young's team did it minus three players.
Tobi Lawal missed another game with his foot injury, and Antonio Dorn was out for another game with a back injury. Sophomore Tyler Johnson missed the game with an injury. According to David Cunningham of Tech Sideline, all three were in sweats. Both teams struggled offensively at times because of the defense each team played and turnovers, but in the end, the Hokies were able to survive a triple overtime to win by 10 points to improve to 12-2 and drop the 21st-ranked Cavaliers to 11-2. Here a five observations from a massive win.
3 Virginia Tech observations from loss to Virginia
1. Free throws, free throws, free throws
Mike Young is a veteran coach who harps on the little things. One of those things is the free-throw line. It's a chance for some free points with the clock stopped. At one point in the second half, the Hokies were trailing and just 2-for-7 from the line. They finished 28-for-41, and you can bet there will be a lot of free throws shot next time the Hokies are in the gym. Free throws can win and lose games. Virginia Tech found that out on Wednesday. Teams that shoot 68% from the stripe normally don't win games.
2. Amani Hansberry & Christian Gurdak record double-doubles
Minus Lawal, Dorn, and Johnson, that didn't bode well for the inside game. Amani Hansberry and Christian Gurdak did a tremendous job all afternoon long. Hansberry recorded another double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Gurdak also had 17 points and grabbed 19 rebounds. He was 7-for-10 from the field, including the game-tying dunk at the end of the first overtime. He is growing up quickly for a freshman this year.
3. Ben Hammond wills Hokies to win
As good as the freshmen have been and Hansberry has been, sophomore Ben Hammond has been a huge unsung hero this year. In 42 minutes, he had a career-high 30 points, five assists, and five rebounds. He made some clutch free throws and baskets in overtime. He even had a sweet pass to Gurdak at the end of the first extra session for his game-tying dunk. Where would the Hokies be without Hammond this year?
4. Neoklis Avdalas guts through ankle injury
Star freshman Neoklis Avdalas turned his ankle late in the game, but he gutted it out to play 49 minutes, score 17 points, and grab eight rebounds. He did turn the ball over five times, which is uncharacteristic for him. Now we'll hold our breath as to his availability for Saturday's game at Wake Forest.
5. Résumé win
This was a big win for a number of reasons, including a massive résumé-building win for the NCAA Tournament. The win was even more impressive considering the bodies Virginia Tech was missing, as well as blowing a late lead in the second overtime. Remember, both losses this season to Saint Mary's and VCU were without Lawal.