Virginia Tech fought back from a 15-point halftime deficit and cut the lead to three points, but eventually lost 70-63 at Notre Dame on Sunday evening. The Hokies are now 8-9 overall and 1-4 in the ACC. The Irish improved to 11-7 overall, and 2-3 in conference play.
Unfortunately, the Hokies’ top two shooting guards – Ben Emelogu and Adam Smith – are both banged up. Emelogu rolled his ankle in practice this week and missed Sunday’s game. He was in a walking boot on the bench. Smith is still suffering from his calf injury and could only play 15 minutes. He only took two shots and did not score. Will Johnston had to play 25 minutes at shooting guard and scored three points.
To make matters worse, Jarell Eddie had another poor game. He came off the bench because of his unproductive play of late, and he finished with only two points. He was 1-of-5 from the field in 24 minutes.
Despite those setbacks, the Hokies were able to stay in the game because both Cadarian Raines and Devin Wilson set career highs in points. Raines, who has spent most of his time in recent games on the bench and didn’t log a single minute in the two games prior to this one, played 22 minutes. He scored 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, and he also had six rebounds.
Wilson, a freshman point guard, had 20 points, seven assists and four rebounds. He was 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line, and had just two turnovers in 36 minutes. 18 of Wilson’s 20 points came in the second half. C.J. Barksdale added 12 points for Tech. He was 5-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range. Joey van Zegeren registered a career-high six blocks.
Virginia Tech returns to action on Wednesday night when they host Wake Forest. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm, and the game will be televised by RSN. Check your local listings.
Print
There is something that really bothered me about the game (well, other than the Digger Phelps lovefest, of course, but that was just unlucky scheduling). The last 2 minutes or so, we are down 6-8 points, but made no effort to extend the game. We ran our possession for the entire length of the shot clock and never even attempted to shoot a 3. I’m not saying we would have won or we would have made it, but gotta at least try. I really think we just accepted defeat even though we were down by less than 10. That REALLY bothers me – did anyone else (who actually watched it, of course) feel the same way?
I have watched Raines get better each year he’s been at Tech. I can’t describe how miffed I am at the coach for not playing him more these past two years, especially this year. I’m looking forward to our next coach.
Joey VZ 6 blocks were negated by his 6 turnovers last night, FYI……
No offense to Joey but he has hands of stone. He really seems to have trouble catching any passes in traffic.
Can’t play Meyer and Johnston at the same time. It hurts our other guys on the floor. They really don’t do anything special. Johnston went under every screen set on him. It is tough to watch this team/coach. Hopin for another acc win this year and a new coach for next year. Sorry jj but you gotta learn how to play def to win in acc
Hate to see some “fans” who seem proud to advertise their lack of support for “their basketball team.” The guys are very young, and with two of our best on the bench, played a competitive game today. Turnovers and free throws continue to plague. I hope more will speak out for attending games out of loyalty and for the spectacle of competition. Lament past decisions all you want, but don’t take it out on the guys who made a decision to come to play at Tech.
Not bad for a 4 ppg player today. CR pretty much took control of the inside on the offensive end. I think play CR and JVZ some minutes together – what do you have to lose at this point?
Raines did look good; much more mobile. Need to play better D.
Here’s what I found annoying: all the talk of Digger Phelps and their win over UCLA 40 years ago, but no mention of the Hokies’ win over the same ND team in the NIT final the previous spring. Bobby Stevens rules!
Digger is a complete A** clown. Lee Corso even after his stroke makes more sense the Digger.
So, tell me again, Cadarian Raines has been riding the bench because……….
My assumption….because JJ wanted to make a point and emphasize discipline. A good thing actually….but maybe, just maybe, went a few games too long methinks.
Hope D. Wilson stays in the program for the entirety of his career. He really seems to have some upside and seems to be a pure point. He is gritty and can really get to the basket. C. Raines had a nice game, especially given his minutes total. ND looked slow on the defensive end but can certainly shoot the 3.
Way to go CR. You can’t get better sitting on the bench.
Hate to admit it, but I honestly forgot we even had a game today. In past years, a road game at Notre Dame would’ve made me go out of my way to watch. These days, I just don’t care anymore. To the point that I log on to TSL and am actually surprised to read we played ND. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say that in my adult life of Hokie fandom. Someone wake me up when VT decides to have a basketball program.
I was aware. Just wasn’t enough of a pull to get to me to take time out of my day. Sounds like there were some positives to come out of the game. Small victories.
And yet here you are …
Glad to see Cadarian (finally) get some playing & produce. Nice game Devin.
How about starting Raines & Z vs Wake!
Go Hokies!!
I did not watch the game. We’re like a 50 year old man. INVISIBLE. When we start winning then I’ll watch again. We’re terrible.
This is a very short-sighted comment. If you didn’t watch the game, how do you know we’re terrible?
Exactly Larry. I do not have a problem with people being dis-interested in the program because of poor decisions made for the program, but to come out and say we suck without knowledge of why we struggle, or admit that you haven’t watched the game, is really disappointing.
“when we start winning, I’ll watch again”..sad…so sad..Bop – were you the kid who took the only basketball away from the court in a 5v5 game because your team lost?
Well put
I’m sorry that I forgot to add the facts that I watched the USC upstate, Clemson, VCU games among our other losses, and I’ve watched a few victories too. It’s the way we play that bothers me. We can go many minutes without scoring a basket and we’ve done this numerous times this year and last year too. Allowing VCU to go on a 30 to2 scoring run or something like that. That’s why I say we’re terrible. We are hard to watch.
Fortunately I wasn’t watching that game. How do you get on the wrong side of a 30-2 run. Never seen anything like that.
Joey is building a rep for blocking shots…6(!) vs. ND. Congrats to Raines for great effort, hopefully getting out of dog house.