Virginia Tech played another poor defensive game, losing to Boston College 86-75 on Wednesday night in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies lost their fourth straight game, and are now 9-6 on the season and 0-2 in the ACC. BC improved to 9-6, and their ACC record is 1-1.
Tech was without Robert Brown on Wednesday, who didn’t attend the game because of flu like symptons. Brown had a temperature of 102 degrees, and tried to give it a go during Wednesday’s shootaround, but couldn’t play.
Erick Green paced the Hokies with 24 points and nine assists. He was 10-of-19 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Jarell Eddie also added 21 points and six rebounds, but he also committed five turnovers.
It was the turnovers that were the story of the game for the Hokies. Tech turned the ball over 17 times, while BC had 17 assists and just five turnovers. The Eagles outscored the Hokies 29-0 in points off turnovers.
C.J. Barksdale returned to the lineup, but played only 16 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds. Christian Beyer, who has stolen a lot of Barksdale’s minutes, had six points, eight rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes of action. He and fellow walkon Will Johnston were the only Tech players without turnovers.
“Yeah, definitely,” Beyers responded when asked if he’s feeling more comfortable the more he plays. “Even the first time I played I wasn’t nervous at all. I grew up playing basketball. I’ve been confident.”
Cadarian Raines also appears to be in the doghouse of head coach James Johnson. Raines had two points and three rebounds in 17 minutes. His backup, Joey van Zegeren, had seven points and four rebounds in 24 minutes.
The real story of this Tech team at this point in the season is their lack of defense. It was average to begin the year, but it has gotten worse recently. Tech’s last four opponents have had great games offensively…
Colorado State: 88 points
BYU: 97 points
Maryland: 94 points
BC: 86 points
The Eagles scored just 50 points in a narrow win over Auburn, managed just 54 points in a loss to Bryant University, and scored only 63 in a 16-point loss to Harvard.
Virginia Tech returns to action this Saturday when they take on Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30pm, and the game will be televised by the ACC Network.
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I am sad to report that I to witnessed a deplorable act of DEFENSE! I do not truly understand why coach Johnson wants to keep on playing man defense when the team personnel does not have the know how on playing man defense. There are many types of zones defenses that maybe could work with our current personnel. It just looks like everyone on defense is like a deer in the head lights.
Also, our half court offense is not existant like our man defense. We dribble way to much and try and make forced passes.
Player wise we know we don’t have all the skilled talent that we need and we are short of bodies and skilled bodies at that. What’s with Raines being pulled after one personal foul. There’s seems to be NO COHESIVENESS AND CONFIDENCE with the players.
The VT BB TEAM is in MAJOR DISARRAY!
Oh well, we’ll see what happens at GT and home vs Wake Forest. It might not be pretty! I’m hoping that the palyers and coaches are able to come to grips and get back on a positive note. This a team sport and everyone has to step up to plate and GET IT DONE!!!
This team lacks toughness. Our trap is an open invitation to get an easy bucket at the other end. BC made it look easy. Offense looked somewhat better, but still don’t know if anyone on the front court can shoot a jump shot. We are a one dimensional team that runs the pick and roll with absolutely no chance that the screener will ever get the ball off the roll. Most of the time he turns with his head down to move on, to do what, I’m not sure. If the guard scores, great; if he doesn’t, we just seem to stand around while our guards get beaten down the floor for an easy layup. Teams know that when they play us there are guys that will never shoot facing the basket, and they don’t have to guard those guys.
Mr. Coleman –
STANDING AROUND – WAITING FOR THE GAME TO COME TO THEM!
To say defense is the main problem is not quite enough – on the D-side of things, twice in the two brief times I could stomack watching the game, I noticed four Hokie defenders standing around under the basket with only one BC player near the basket as his teammates shot from outside and missed. Guess who got the rebound – yep – the BC player who went after the ball rather than the four Hokies who stood there flat-footed. I knew then (early in the second half) that the chances of a Hokie victory were slight to nil.
What happened to all the energy early in the season? Marshall Wood was a big part of that and we sorely miss him. The rest of the Hokies need to step up.
Props to J. Eddie for picking up his game. With the improved offense you speak of and better defense/rebounding, the Hokies can win more than the lose the rest of the season. The standing-around montra I see now was instilled in these players by their previous coach’s system. Props to E. Green for his continued show of confidence and ability.
Hang tough Hokies!
/r
Slim
Well with two scholarship players out it is going to be tough. It is what it is. Kudos for Brown trying to play with a temp of 102
Is it Beyer or Beyers?
Beyer
If only we still have Augustus Gilchrist, Alan Chaney, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Tell you what…if we had those guys right now we would get beaten. Say what you will about Seth, he recruited some great players. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, we couldn’t hold on to them or injuries took hold. Bummer.
So Brown was out with the flu? Whew! I only saw the 2nd half, and noticed he wasn’t playing and didn’t know why. As the game went on, the announcers said “and with Brown out with a broken foot, the Hokies only have 6 scholarship players” and I said “WHAT?!? Another Broken Foot!!! Marshall Wood and now Brown as well?
Glad to know it was just incompetent announcers.