Jarell Eddie came up big down the stretch as Virginia Tech knocked off Miami 61-60 in overtime in Coral Gables. The Hokies moved to 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the ACC, while Miami dropped to 5-5 and 0-1. It was the Hurricanes’ third overtime loss this season as they try to replace all five starters off last year’s ACC Championship team.
Eddie didn’t enjoy his best offensive game for most of the contest, but he saved his best for the end. With his team trailing nearly the entire game, and by double-digits at times, Eddie scored Virginia Tech’s last 11 points of regulation and then made the game-winning shot in overtime to win the game.
Eddie’s flurry of points came in the final 4:43 of the game, and his three-pointer with 46 seconds remaining tied the game. With approximately 20 seconds remaining, his step back two-pointer gave Tech a 61-59 lead, and they managed to hold on for the one-point win despite trailing by as many as 13 points in the second half.
Eddie finished with 24 points and eight rebounds on 9-of-23 shooting, including a 6-of-14 mark from three-point range. He began the game 3-of-4, then got into a cold slump, but battled back to play a huge role at the end.
The Hokies also couldn’t have won this game without r-sophomore center Joey van Zegeren. he finished with eight points, 10 rebounds (6 offensive) and two blocks. He had a great hustle play with 51 seconds left in overtime when he ran coast to coast to block a Miami breakaway layup that would have given the Canes the lead. On Tech’s next possession, Jarell Eddie made the game-winning shot.
Virginia Tech managed to win this game without starting forward C.J. Barksdale, who was out with a sprained knee. Tech did get Ben Emelogu and Adam Smith back from injury. Emelogu had 11 points and five rebounds, while Smith finished with eight points and three assists. Marshall Wood added nine points and six rebounds for Tech, while freshman point guard Devin Wilson had five assists and just one turnover.
The Hokies will now take a long break. They don’t play again until December 21 when they take on VCU in Richmond at the Richmond Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30pm, and the game will be televised by NBC Sports Network.
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When was the last time a men’s and women’s basketball player were the ACC Player of the Week?
Good W but lots of room for improvement….
Overall too much perimeter passing/dribbling and not enough inside-out game. We live and die by the outside jumper. The big guys aren’t looking for the ball, they’re looking to set screens only.
Emologu and Wilson need to get the ball into the paint w/ dribble penetration.
Eddie is a spot up shooter. We saw at the end of regulation when his shot was blocked, he needs to work on creating his own shot.
We missed Barksdale. Wood is still trying to figure out where he fits as is Raines. It would be nice if Raines could help offensively. He’s really the only big that can create his own shot underneath. The rest are rebound/put back guys with the exception of Barkdsale who has range out to 17-18 feet.
We could win 6 or 7 games in ACC play if we get everyone healthy and contributing.
Marshall Wood needs the most improvement, I think, of all the starters/go-to bench guys. He’s been hitting some good shots and grabbing some good rebounds lately, but his away from the ball movement, screening, and ball handling skills leave a lot to be desired, if you ask me. Too many times I watch him and think he looks like a deer in headlights on the court, not knowing where to go, who to screen, etc. Perhaps he just has funny facial expressions that way, but I see a lot of upside in the kid…JJ needs to get on that.
Thompson, as hokiepro mentioned below, has regressed a little, probably from the drop in playing time as the games have become a bit more difficult. Would love to see him take his few minutes of playing time, assert himself, and prove what he is capable of doing with that body of his. I would love it if JVZ and Thomspon could switch builds…with JVZ’s new attitude he could dominate in the paint!
Glad to see the Hokies stick with it and bring home the win on a senior’s shoulders!
First place in the ACC!!!!
I notice that Raines wasn’t mentioned
One board and two fouls in 11 minutes…
Need to get Trevor Thompson back on track the way he played his first few games
Great win !
This is a least two games the Hokies have come from behind to win. For such a young team that’s noteworthy resilience. I like it.
I like the grit this young team is showing, and these new guys can play. We need to cut down on the turnovers, but I think this team could wind up being better than expected this year.