Virginia Tech Falls To Syracuse To Begin ACC Play

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech
Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced the Hokies with 19 points, but it wasn’t enough. (Ivan Morozov)

Virginia Tech got off to a disappointing start in ACC play, losing to Syracuse 68-56 in the Carrier Dome on Sunday night.  The Hokies dropped to 11-3 overall and 0-1 in the ACC with the loss, while the Orange improved to 12-2 and 1-0.

In general, Tech’s defense was good enough to win, but the Hokies were let down by their offensive performance, which has now been subpar for the last three games.  Ball movement wasn’t good, and their shooting was poor in every phase of the game.

FG: 18-of-52 (34.6%)
3Pt: 10-of-30 (33.3%)
FT: 10-of-18 (55.6%)

Tech’s inability to get the ball inside against the Syracuse 2-3 matchup zone was ultimately Virginia Tech’s undoing.  They made just eight two-point baskets in the game, and they did not make their fourth two-pointer until there were just 6:33 remaining in the game.  Their third two-pointer came on a Kerry Blackshear layup off an offensive rebound with 11:22 left in the first half, which means the Hokies went well over 20 minutes of game time without a two-point basket. 

Not only did the Hokies struggle to score around the basket, but they struggled to get the ball into the paint area in general, which limited their kickouts for open three-pointers.  That’s a recipe for disaster against the Syracuse defense.

Freshman wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced Tech with 19 points.  He was 7-of-13 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point range.  However, he didn’t get much help, as only two other Hokies made it to double figures: Justin Robinson and Justin Bibbs finished with 10 points each. 

Kerry Blackshear struggled with foul trouble yet again.  He played just 13 minutes, and though he didn’t end up fouling out, he finished with just four points and four rebounds.  Blackshear fouled out in Tech’s previous losses to Saint Louis and Kentucky, and he also fouled out of their overtime win at Ole Miss.  When he’s not in the game, the Hokies are playing either 6-6 Chris Clarke or 6-5 PJ Horne at center, and neither scenario is ideal against teams with the size of Syracuse and Kentucky. 

Virginia Tech trailed 32-19 at halftime after their worst 20-minute offensive performance of the season.  However, they showed some life early in the second half.  After Syracuse scored early to go up 34-19, the Hokies ran off a 12-0 run behind four three-pointers, two by Justin Bibbs and one each by Justin Robinson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.  That cut the Syracuse lead to 34-31 with 14:35 remaining, and at that point the game resembled the Ole Miss performance that saw the Hokies rally from a 16-point second half deficit to win.

But it wasn’t to be.  Syracuse responded to Virginia Tech’s 12-0 run with an 11-0 run of their own, making the score 45-31 with 11:31 remaining.  The Hokies were unable to cut the lead to single digits for the rest of the game, and they’ll return to Blacksburg with a disappointing result.

Virginia Tech returns to action on Wednesday night when they host No. 9 Virginia in Cassell Coliseum.  Tipoff is scheduled for 9pm, and the game will be televised by The ACC Network.  Check your local listings.

Box Score

12 Responses You are logged in as Test

  1. Disappointing. I waited a while to post and now I think it is just one ACC game. This team and coach are better than they showed. I’m looking forward to some home cooking against Dopey Scissors U tomorrow. Must have home wins and one or two road wins and this team will make the NCAA again.

  2. Buzz needs to start delivering results. Anybody can work their team to death in practice. CBW needs to translate that boot camp mentality into ACC wins. Excuse time is over. This is his team.

  3. My high school team scored more than 19 points in a half. Buzz needs to earn that big salary. Bad start to ACC play

    1. Doubt your high school played against a defense like Syracuse puts up. That Jiffy Pop Dome is the bane of hokie sports in general. The team needs to break out of its shooting slump, no doubt, but everything I’ve heard about this group tells me that Coach has them headed in the right direction.

      1. We played 5 on 5 and even played zone defense. We will see about “Right Direction” after the UVA game. The excuses get old.

  4. Cuse got away with a LOT of fouls and at least one flop. Refs allowed them own the inside.

    1. If it’s the same one I am thinking about, that flop was pitiful. He didn’t even touch the guy. He landed beside him and the guy goes flying to the floor.

  5. Until Blackshear learns that he can’t keep getting into foul trouble and hurting the team, Hokies are not going to do well in ACC play.

    1. how about the coaching staff recruiting more bigs? we are loaded with 6’6″ or smaller guys. why do we need so many players those sizes? the team should at least has 3 or 4 serviceable guys 6’9″ or taller.

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