'Canes Eliminate Hokies

In a microcosm of its season, Virginia Tech faded late against Miami, losing 59-49.  The Hokies led 38-37 with 8:47 left to play, and never seriously threatened again.  Sheldon McClellan led the way for the Hurricanes with 16 points and 6 assists.  Jalen Hudson, fresh off a record breaking performance against Wake Forest, could only muster 5 points in the loss.  Virginia Tech was led by freshman Ahmed Hill and Adam Smith, both with 10 points.  The game was much closer than the regular season finale, which Tech lost 82-61 at Cassell Coliseum.

Miami holds off pesky Virginia Tech 59-49 in ACC tourney 2nd round http://t.co/wLXltxB8k5 (@joedyAP)

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) March 12, 2015

Buzz Williams bows out of the A.C.C. tournament with a 1-1 record. After yesterday's huge win against Wake Forest, hopes were high. The Hokies' lack of size and dismal free throw shooting caught up with them in this tight battle. Tech shot only 50% from the free throw line, and was out-rebounded by Miami 37-29. Tech did not impress behind the arc, going 3-15. This was abnormal for a Hokie squad that finished the regular season atop the A.C.C., shooting 39% from three-point territory.

Miami Basketball Defeats Virginia Tech in ACC 2nd Round 59-49 http://t.co/N8BKvZSm4x pic.twitter.com/ZHtCSjRvZX

— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) March 12, 2015

Tech finishes the year with an overall record of 15-22, good for 15th place in the A.C.C.. The outlook is bright for a very young squad, and Buzz Williams is the right guy calling the shots. Virginia Tech finishes the year with optimism, and a belief in Buzz's system. With a solid recruiting class in place for next season, and a solid core of returning playmakers, the 2016 edition of Virginia Tech basketball will be better. If you're not excited about Jalen Hudson and company, you don't like college basketball.