Hokie Sports Round Up

Men’s Basketball: Since defeating Ole Miss, 80-75, Buzz William’s and the Virginia Tech Hokies have increased their win streak to six games. Most recently VPI defeated an overmatched Charleston Southern, 87-59. Although it was a 28-point victory, VT head coach, Buzz Williams, was critical of his blossoming team saying, “I didn’t think we were very good in general. I didn’t think we were great. I didn’t think we were as tight as we typically are. I don’t say any of that in a condescending way. I understand we won by 28 points, but it’s not the opponent. The opponent is us.” Although Ahmed Hill scored at least 20 points for the third game in a row, the Hokies performance against the Buccaneers was somewhat pedestrian, especially when compared to their execution against a seemingly stronger Citadel team. Three days prior Virginia Tech faced the Citadel Bulldogs a defeated them 113-71! Included in that 42-point win is the first triple-double in school history. Chris Clarke earned 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 13 points on the night. Additionally, the Hokies shot an impressive 60.9% from the field, and carried an even more imposing three-point percentage, at 61.1! Only 11 games into the season and the Hokies have earned half of the 20 wins they totaled during the 2015 season. At this same juncture, last year, the Hokies were 8-3. In the following 11 games, during 2015, the Hokies went 4-7, struggling in conference play. After a post-Christmas game against the UMBC Retrievers the Hokies will open conference play against the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils, on New Year’s Eve.

Women’s Basketball: The women of No. 23 Virginia Tech stand alone atop the ACC standings with an undefeated 12-0 record. First year head coach, Kenny Brooks continues to demonstrate that he is the latest of several great Whit Babcock coaching recruits. After defeating the then 8-2 Auburn Tigers, 92-87, the Hokies faced their rivals from down the street, the then 7-2 Radford Highlanders. The Hokies defeated the Highlanders by 19 points, 71-52. While the start to the 2016 season is fantastic, the Hokies also jumped out to a solid start last season. At this time, during 2015, VPI was 11-1 and had a solid win over then No. 8 Tennessee. As with the men’s squad, the women’s squad also struggled with conference play in 2015. The Hokies next face Delaware State. They open their conference schedule on January 2, against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Wrestling: The No. 6 Virginia Tech Hokies demolished the West Virginia Mountaineers, 36-4, and improved to 5-1 on the season. The Hokies won nine out of ten bouts. No. 2 Joey dance won with a pin at 125 pounds, and No. 3 Jared Haught won by decision against No. 7, Jacob Smith. The Hokies currently house six wrestlers ranked in the top ten for their respective weight classes. Next up, the Hokies face the Princeton Tigers on January 6.

Let’s go Hokies!!!