Virginia Tech led most of the way, gave up the lead late, then rallied to defeat No. 2 Virginia 61-60 in overtime in Charlottesville on Saturday night. It was one of the biggest wins in Tech basketball history. The Hokies improved to 18-7 on the season with the win, and they are now 7-5 in ACC play. The Hoos dropped to 23-2 overall and 12-1 in conference play.
Virginia was a 12-point favorite on Saturday, and rightfully so. They beat the Hokies 78-52 in Cassell Coliseum earlier this season, College Gameday was in town, and the Hoos were all set to be ranked No. 1 in the country this coming week with a victory over their in-state rivals. But it didn’t happen. The Hokies played their best defensive game of the year, and an offensive rebound and putback from Kerry Blackshear with 5.8 seconds remaining gave Tech the win. The teams have split the season series for three consecutive seasons. It was Virginia Tech’s first road win over a ranked opponent since they knocked off No. 15 UVA 47-45 back on January 22, 2012, in Seth Greenberg’s last year as Virginia Tech’s head coach.
The Hokies did a lot of things well in this game. Down 13-5 early on, they went on a 22-2 run to take a 27-15 lead, which was Virginia’s biggest deficit of the season. The Hokies led 33-26 at halftime, and held the lead for about 10 minutes more than UVA throughout the course of the game. However, they nearly lost it down the stretch thanks to bad free throw shooting by two good free throw shooters. As it turned out, the Hoos lost the game thanks in part to a pair of missed free throws by an elite free throw shooter.
With 20 seconds remaining in the game, Justin Robinson went to the free throw line for a one-and-one with his team leading 49-47. Robinson led Tech in scoring with 20 points, and he came into the game as a 77.3% free throw shooter. However, he missed the front end of a one-and-one, and UVA tied the game on a jumper by Ty Jerome with ten seconds left. After a Hokie turnover and a missed shot by Jerome, the two teams went to overtime.
Fast forward to late in the overtime period. UVA led 59-56 with 29 seconds remaining, and senior guard Devon Hall, a 93.4% free throw shooter coming into the game, went to the free throw line for a one-and-one. Hall made the first but missed the second, and the Hoos led 60-56. On the other end, Nickeil Alexander-Walker buried a three-pointer to bring the Hokies to within one, 60-59, with 20 seconds remaining.
UVA inbounded and Hall was fouled again, this time with 13 seconds left. He went to the line for a one-and-one, but missed the front end, which gave the Hokies the ball with a chance to win. Justin Robinson drove to the basket and missed missed what was a decent look, but Kerry Blackshear, who fought off three Virginia players, was there with the offensive rebound and putback. Blackshear, who finished with just seven points and who missed six wide open three-pointers, was also fouled on the play.
With Tech up 61-60 with 5.8 seconds remaining, Blackshear went to the line as a 74.3% free throw shooter. Like Robinson and Hall before him, Blackshear missed. UVA’s Ty Jerome pulled down the rebound, and the Hokies had to survive a final UVA possession. Fortunately Jerome put up a deep, rushed three-pointer that was close to the target, and the Hokies celebrated a huge 61-60 road victory that greatly enhances their NCAA Tournament resume.
It was not a particularly good offensive performance for either team. The Hokies shot 57.1% (12-21) from the field and 57.1% (8-14) from three-point range in the first half, but came back down to earth over the final 25 minutes. For the game, they were 22-of-51 (43.1%) overall and 11-of-29 (37.9%) from the outside. Defense was critical to Tech’s victory for the second game in a row.
After last weekend’s disappointing performance against Miami, Buzz Williams inserted Devin Wilson into the lineup and practiced only defense all week. Tech’s defensive performance was much better against NC State on Wednesday, and Wilson was on the court for 24 minutes of that game. He started against Virginia and was on the court for 31 minutes, coming up big with seven points and seven rebounds, including two big offensive rebounds, one of which was converted into two Hokie points on the first possession of the second half. But Wilson’s contributions transcend the box score, as Virginia Tech was much better defensively for the second game in a row with him playing a bigger role.
UVA was just 21-of-61 (34.4%) from the field and 11-of-38 (28.9%) from three-point range. Star guard Kyle Guy was just 5-of-21 from the field and 3-of-14 from the outside, while Ty Jerome was 4-of-14 overall and 1-of-10 from three-point range.
Virginia Tech also managed to outrebound UVA 37-36. Tech led for 21:24 of the 45 minutes. UVA led for just 11:09, while the game was tied for 12:27
Before Saturday’s game, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had the Hokies in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed, while Jerry Palm of CBS had Tech as a No. 11 seed in one of the play-in games. Saturday night’s victory certainly helped to transform Virginia Tech’s resume.
The Hokies return to action on Wednesday night when they travel to Durham to take on #4 Duke. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm, and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
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UVA? Bahahahahaha!
I thought the refs did a nice job of letting them play. Good no calls b ways.
Absolutely one of the best bb wins in the history of the program. So proud of the team and coaches for pulling off this win. When things got “gritty” our team passed with a grade A but almost let this one slip away or as Coach Bennett said “we almost stole one.” Practice those free throws – please!!!!!!!
Thought KB had a terrible game offensively for most of the night, never connected on a three and had multiple turnovers. Was glad that he was the one who made the last goal. It was great effort and a tough shot.
he took so many 3’s lol way too many. honestly better than him trying to drive the lane from the top of the key and turn the ball over or commit an offensive foul.
Great win for Team Buzz! Let’s keep the intensity and focus @ Duke! Congratulations to players and coaches as this was one of greatest wins for the Bball program! Let’s go Hokies!
As a Hokie living in Hooville, it was so interesting to view the media this past week. They posted an editorial in the local newspaper about how perfect things were about to be in this town with the impending #1 ranking for UVA. In short, the media and most UVA fans had already put a “W” in the win column and had shirts ready for sale to tout the #1 Hoo’s. I’m so happy and proud of our team for pulling that game out, especially after coming back from five down in OT before a very raucous and impressive crowd. A great day for Hokie basketball; proud of our players and coaches. As for UVA, they may not be #1, but they still are an excellent team. Go Hokies!!!!
Devin was 4-4: one three-point, one two-point and two made free throws for seven points. 100% efficiency.
All the Hoos down in Hooville expected to be no. one a lot. But the Hokies who live down south from Hooville did not. It could be their heads were too big or their shoes were too small, but I believe their hearts were two sizes too small. Class of 72 here, great one to watch (in disbelief at first) and great one to savor. Justin, Kerry, both heroes, (Practice your foul shots). David you continue to prove your loyaly, heart, and worth. An orange and maroon Grinch spoiled this party!
David?
David and Goliath?
Meant Devin, sorry Senior moment or part-timers syndrome. David and Goliath gives too much credit to the Hoos as a Goliath.
Also a reference to our former football player subconsciously? Probably another Senior Moment.
Surprised there was no mention of VT having 2 fouls to give on UVa’s game tying possession at the end of regulation. Could have fouled the ball handler after he crossed half court forcing UVa to inbound with about 5 or 6 seconds left, and could have fouled again after the subsequent inbound, not giving them the chance for a good game tying shot.
We had 3 chances to win the game, JRob making the free throws, or a defensive stop, or a score on the last possession where JRob slipped and traveled. A tiny detail like you suggest coulda won the game right there.
It is one of Tech’s biggest wins. But it makes so sweeter that it was against UVA
Blackshear is a big force. Go Hokies.
So Chris Long doesn’t care that he was 0 for 4 when he played football because VT has never been ranked #1 in basketball or football. Well Chris you simply have no class and are a typical uva snob. Poor Chris, born on third base, thinks he hit a triple…Hokies forever!!!
I don’t like Chris Long one bit (typical arrogant myopic hoo) and agree with all you said..EXCEPT, the boy DID hit a triple. He has had a nice NFL career and has back to back Super Bowl Rings with 2 different teams. His old man didn’t get them for him.
Chris Long was a jerk on twitter before the game. Arrogant myopic ‘Hoo is accurate.
May be, the most nervous I have been at the end of a VT basketball game, and I got physically sick at Smitty’s NIT Winning Free Throws. Wow, What a Game, and the wahoo’s being #1 on Monday just made it all the better. Go Hokies !!!!!
Do you mean NOT being #1?
No, he got it right.
Class of ’69, seen a lot, this win ranks with best ever. Respectfully posted on the Sabre about our win, praising their esteemed institution, was ridiculed and my post was deleted. What a bunch of pathetic a$$holes, just saying.
Buzz took responsibility for the Miami loss and he gets kudos for making the adjustments for the last two games. Hill played 8 minutes tonight and it’s a shame to have that scoring potential on the bench but Wilson has made us better. And how about Blackshear playing 43 minutes with only 3 fouls! If #5 can start finishing all his drives he will be a 20 ppg scorer. Does anyone think he will leave school after this year? I hope not but he has really elevated his game this year.
5 isn’t leaving. Incredibly hard to make an NDA roster as a 6′ guard.
That’s good news
5 is taking it up a notch or two whilst Wilson has energized our defense! Great midseason adjustments by the staff and unselfish play by the HOKIES!!!
Let’s Go…Hokies!!!!
Beating da Hoos never gets old!!!!
Yes, I agree one of the all time wins. Bar post season games, the win over Duke in the first game of the 66-67 season comes to mind. Duke had made it to the final four the previous season ……. a celebrated team in many minds. The big difference then was we had to listen to it on the radio! Not long after the win guys took to the streets and marched around the campus (peacefully ….. not like Philly last week). All I can say is playing defense helps, does it not? UVA looked ordinary tonight.
Mad props to Wilson. Just mad props.
Great, great win. Who will be #1 next week? Villanova, UVA, and Purdue all lost this week.
I guess it’s got to be Mich St.
Considering they beat #3 Purdue, yes.
Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi!!!