Virginia Tech 74, Maryland 57: Erick Green's Career High Leads Hokies over Terrapins
by furrer4heisman on Jan 20, 2011 11:24 PM EST
in Virginia Tech Basketball
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PrintVirginia Tech took an early 12-0 lead on the road against Maryland and then kept the Terps at arm's length to pick up its first ACC road win of the season.
Sophomore guard Erick Green had a break-out game for the Hokies, scoring a career-high 24 points and had four steals to lead the Hokies. Green showed great athleticism in transition and shot the ball well overall, going 12-for-16 form the field.
Green has now scored in double figures in nine consecutive games since scoring two points in 16 minutes in the Hokies' loss to Virginia. The Hokies are 8-1 in that span and Green's play has been a big reason for their turnaround since losing three consecutive games.
Tech also kept Maryland's Jordan Williams from having an impact on the game. Williams finished with another double-double, but was only 4-for-9 from the field and had his touches limited by Virginia Tech's zone defense and his own lack of movement without the ball. Victor Davila denied entry passes to Williams on several occasions, but Williams didn't do himself or his team any favors.
In addition to keeping Williams from dominating the game, the Hokies' defense also forced 15 turnovers that led to 16 points. It helped lead to several transition bucket for Tech and it finished with 10 fastbreak points.
The Hokies defense did get lackadaisical midway through the second half and left jump shooters open, leading to a mini run by the Terrapins. Cliff Tucker started knocking down threes and knocked Tech's lead down to single digits. However, turnovers and Green's play helped get the lead back to 15 points.
The defense and Green's play overshadowed a great night for Malcolm Delaney in his home state in front of her mother on her birthday. He scored 19 points but just as importantly had seven assists and helped find open guys for easy baskets.
The end result for the Hokies was a big road win they knew they needed.
They came out on fire. Delaney played well for most of the game and distributed the ball. They got a big game from someone other than Delaney or Jeff Allen. Allen came up big by staying out of foul trouble for much of the game and pulled down 10 rebounds. It was a team effort and a team win.
There are plenty of reasons for fans to be optimistic about the Hokies after their win in College Park. If they can avoid head-scratching losses the rest of the way they should make the NCAA Tournament, which is something we never thought we'd be saying after the UVa loss. This team has come a long way and is starting to play up to its potential.
Next on Virginia Tech's basketball schedule: Sat., Jan. 22 vs. Longwood at 7 p.m. EST.
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Wow...
I would have never guessed that this 2-3 zone thing would be the answer for the Hokies. But with a scrappy team like this, you wonder why Greenberg didn’t try this on for size before this year.
It really is paying off dividends for them on defense, and it helps their transition game. These guys are really getting up the court in a hurry.
Good win. Would have been real nice to put this on the shelf next to a win in Chapel Hill.
by Leonard Thompson on Jan 21, 2011 12:02 AM EST reply actions
The way Testudo Times talks...
…they make it sound like powerhouse Maryland just didn’t try against poor little Virginia Tech. This comment bothered me in particular:
“They can obviously play with anyone, but if they’re not ready to go, they’re not good enough to beat even the Virginia Techs and Boston Colleges of the world on their home floor.”
EVEN the Virginia Tech’s of the world…as if we’re something stuck on their shoes. Screw Maryland and their fans. They need to get over the fact that no one gives a crap about UMD unless it involves rioting and police brutality. We were picked as a top-25 team to start the year, and yes, we’ve been decimated with injuries. However, we’re still a hard-working team with a lot of talent. It’s amazing to me that Maryland fans find it within themselves to be so arrogant.
I have a close friend that went to Maryland that told me we had NO shot of beating them in basketball this season. This same guy told me Maryland is the class of the ACC next year in football and Tyrod Taylor had no business winning ACCPOY over Torrey Smith. Go figure.
Fight For Old D.C. Administrator (www.ffodc.com)
Love my Hokies, Caps, Redskins, Wizards and Nats.
Honestly
it kind of seemed like they didn’t try, especially Williams. He played lazy basketball. The way we beat them showed that we’re a good team. If the other team plays as poorly as Maryland did, whether it’s Maryland, Wake Forest or whoever, we should kick their ass. So we did.
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by furrer4heisman on Jan 21, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
your friend
sounds like one of those people you’re better off not debating.
Great game
Best game I’ve seen all year from the hokies. Erick Green was phenomenal. He looked so smooth controlling the ball. Had some very impressive shots. Malcolm, all I can say is wow! His vision of the floor, one word, UNBELIEVABLE! Lets not leave out Jeff Allen. He played great against Williams. Yes, the team in whole play great d and swarmed around Williams once he got the ball, however Allen did a great job keeping on top of Williams one on one.
I really like how we controlled this game from start to end. Just when it looked like Maryland was making a move the Hokies stepped up and took control! Great all round game Hokies! Let’s keep up the pace and handle business…
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