2008-09 Basketball Game Preview: Virginia Tech vs. Virginia

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Virginia Tech (9-5, 0-1 ACC) vs. Virginia (7-5, 1-0)

Saturday, January 10, 2009, 4:00

TV: RSN (check local listings)

Special Preview Items:

• 
  Click here for TSL’s VT/UVa roster card (PDF format)

After starting out 0-1 in ACC play with the loss to Duke, Virginia Tech has a
very important ACC matchup on Saturday with in-state rival UVA. The Hokies can’t
afford to begin conference play 0-2, and they need to find a way to win this
game in Cassell Coliseum.

UVA is 7-5 on the year. They’ve looked good at times, and bad at other times.
They’ve played good teams like Syracuse and Minnesota tough, but also suffered a
home loss at the hands of Liberty. Most recently they lost at home to Xavier
84-70, then hammered Brown 74-50. They are 1-0 in the ACC, with an 88-84
overtime win at Georgia Tech.

Much of UVA’s problems stem from being such a young basketball team. The Hoos
start two true freshmen, a r-freshman and a true sophomore. They aren’t getting
much help from their top senior, Mamadi Diane. Diane played well at times with
Sean Singletary next to him in the backcourt, but this year he is struggling. He
is averaging just 4.6 points per game, and is shooting under 30% from the floor.
Diane is just 2-of-25 from three-point range, and as a result of his poor play
he is now coming off the bench.

UVA’s best player is wing guard Sylven Landesberg, a true freshman and a
member of last year’s McDonald’s All-American team. Landsberg leads the team in
scoring by a high margin, and he also rebounds and passes well. He has a good
all-around game for someone so young.

Call
Garrett Weddle at 540-320-7571 and make an appointment to see
Kent Square Condominiums when you’re in town for the game!

Landesberg isn’t a great outside threat, going just 6-of-20 (30%) from
three-point range on the year. However, he’s a good mid-range and interior
player. He can get to the basket. He has 96 free throw attempts this year. The
next closest UVA player has 38 free throw attempts. Landesberg is knocking down
free throws at an 81.3% clip.

In the past, the Hokies would have put Deron Washington on Landesberg, but
they don’t have that luxury this year. It will be interesting to see how Seth
Greenberg elects to defend him on Saturday.

Call Garrett Weddle and make an appointment to see Kent Square Condominiums this weekend!

Joining Landesberg in the backcourt is r-freshman point guard Sammy Zeglinski
and junior Calvin Baker. Zeglinski is the second leading scorer on the team,
which no one expected heading into the season. He is shooting 41.4% from
three-point range, and is UVA’s most consistent outside shooter.

Baker is a solid player who is capable of playing both guard positions. He
doesn’t excel at anything, but he’s a guy who is capable of getting the job
done.

On the inside, UVA’s best player is sophomore forward Mike Scott. Scott is a
terrific leaper and a great rebounder. He used the offseason to get healthy, and
he’s a much better player this year. Scott will attack the offensive glass,
averaging four offensive rebounds per game.

At center, true freshman Assane Sene will likely start. He’s not a polished
scorer at this point, but he does a solid job rebounding the ball, and he’s
UVA’s best shot blocker with 16 on the year.

UVA always seems to be an aggressive rebounding team under Dave Leitao, and
that is no different this year. The Hoos are outrebounding their opponents by
over five per game. The Hokies must be ready to box out guys like Sylven
Landesberg and Mike Scott. Landesberg has a nose for the ball, while Scott is a
long and athletic power forward.

Virginia Tech is still a young basketball team, with six sophomores and a
freshman in the playing rotation. However, this is one game where the Hokies
should have the experience edge. With so many freshmen in UVA’s starting lineup,
the Hoos are going to continue to have some struggles this year.