Class of ‘07 Greatest Games #1-5

     Here it is: Late Night with the Hokies is tomorrow, and tonight I have for you the top 5 games for the Class of ‘07.  They’ve come a long way since their freshman seasons 3 years ago, and I believe #1 is the culmination of how these Hokies have grown and developed as a team into a force to be reckoned with.  Let’s hope the 2010-2011 season becomes it’s own highlight reel and see you all at Late Night with the Hokies tomorrow!

#5 – January 2, 2010, Cancun, Mexico

Hokies 103 Seton Hall 94 (OT)

Highlights

This game was the turning point in the 2009-2010 season, and in my opinion, raised the ceiling for what this team could achieve.  After suffering an ankle injury versus Longwood, Malcolm Delaney would be ruled out for the Hokies’ matchup with Seton Hall in Cancun.  Freshman Erick Green would get the start, and the Tech team that struggled to find an identity early in the season would have to find another way to win without leading scorer Malcolm Delaney.  In his previous 72 career games, junior guard Dorenzo Hudson averaged 5.1 points per game.  But on this day, Hudson took a giant leap forward, not only in scoring, but as a team leader.  Seven Hokies scored at least 4 points, lead by Hudson’s career high 41, allowing the Hokies to outlast the Pirates in overtime.  Every player settled into a role and played it well, and the Hokies were much better offensively for the rest of the season.  From this game forward, Hudson would average an astonishing 18.2 points per game.

#4 – January 16, 2008, Charlottesville, VA

Hokies 70 UVA 69 (OT)

Deron had not one but two of Sportcenter's Top 5

The Hokies entered John Paul Jones Arena having not won in Charlottesville since 1968.   A close game at the 12 minute mark would turn in UVA’s favor as they went on a 9-0 run to take a 59-50 lead with 8:46 remaining,  but two 3 pointers from AD Vassallo and Deron Washington would help the Hokies force overtime.  Down 1 with under 20 seconds remaining, Washington missed a three, but the Hokies would retain possession off of the rebound.  Deron Washington took the inbounds pass and drove around the left side of the key through two UVA defenders for an acrobatic layup to win the game for the Hokies, 70-69.

#3 – March 15, 2008, Charlotte, NC

Hokies 66 #1 North Carolina 68

A young Virginia Tech team surprised a lot of people by earning a #4 seed in the 2008 ACC tournament, but after beating Miami in the first round, many felt that they would need one more big win to make the big dance.  #1 North Carolina provided just that opportunity.  Leading for most of the game, the Hokies were poised to pull off the 11 point underdog upset, taking leads of 8 and later 7 points on yet another Deron Washington Sportcenter Top 10 play.  But with 6 minutes to play, UNC began to close the gap, and a 3 by Wayne Ellington tied the game at 59.  After a steal by Hank Thorns, the Hokies had a chance to take the lead with less than 30 second to play but JT Thompson’s jumper was off target.  With under 10 seconds left, Ty Lawson’s runner down the right side was off, but Tyler Hansbrough picked up the loose ball and sank an uncontested shot from the baseline, which sealed the Hokies defeat, and their ticket to the NIT.

#2 – January 21, 2009, Winston-Salem, NC

Hokies 78 #1 Wake Forest 71

Highlights (Part 1, 2)

The only reason this game isn’t #1 is because midway through the first half, it was pretty apparent that the Hokies could, and would pull of the win.  Tech took a 8-8 tie midway through the fist half and took off, building a 10 point halftime lead, and never relinquished it.  The Deacs would make a run with five minutes remaining, but the deficit was too much to overcome as the Hokies outshot Wake Forest 22-10 at the free throw line.  Tech was led by sophomore Malcolm Delaney, who had 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.  The Hokies’ win, on national television, snapped the Deacs 16 game winning streak and marked the Hokies 3rd win over a #1 ranked team, their second under Seth Greenberg, and first on the road.

#1 – March 22, 2010, Blacksburg, VA

Hokies 65 Connecticut 63

Highlights

Yes, beating UConn at home in the NIT isn’t as great of an accomplishment as beating the #1 team in the nation on the road.  But unlike the Wake Forest game, this was an epic battle featuring an old Big East foe and the 6th winningest (823 and counting) coach in Division 1 history.  The Huskies had struggled in 2010 but were playing some of their best ball of late and presented the Hokies with their achilles heel: a big, physical frontcourt to match up against.  The Hokies came into the game having won only 1 of 7 previous meetings, and after a low scoring opening 5 minutes, UConn burst out to a 12 point lead with 5 minutes remaining in the first half.  Tech would slowly chip away at the lead however, and a 3 pointer at the buzzer by JT Thompson cut the deficit to 5 at halftime.

Dorenzo Hudson hits the game winner for the Hokies

Neither team could pull away in the second half and with 2 ties and 7 lead changes, the Hokies and the Huskies were set up for a trilling finish.  Four consecutive free throws from Victor Davila (a 51% FT shooter) brought the Hokies to within 1 with 49 seconds left, but UConn had the ball and the opportunity to seal the win.  But some tough defense by Terrell Bell forced a backcourt violation with 22 seconds left to give the Hokies a chance.  A down screen by Jeff Allen allowed Dorenzo Hudson to hit a fadeaway jumper from the left elbow with 14 seconds left that sent the fans in Cassell into a frenzy.  On the ensuing possession guard Kemba Walker’s shot was blocked by Jeff Allen, but Walker got his own rebound and dished to a wide open Gavin Edwards under the basket.  Luckily for the Hokies, Edwards fanned on the point blank shot and this time Terrell Bell gobbled up the rebound, sealing the thrilling 65-63 victory for Virginia Tech.

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Make it a weekend in Blacksburg! October 15-16th

Friday, October 15th

12-1pm	Chalk Talk w/ Seth Greenberg	Dietrick Dining Hall (D2)	Included with cost of lunch
7-9pm	Volleyball vs. Wake Forest Game Notes: <link>	Cassell Coliseum	FREE
9-10pm	Late Night w/ the Hokies	Cassell Coliseum	FREE

Saturday, October 16th

3:30pm

Football vs. Wake Forest (Homecoming) Game Notes: <link>

Lane Stadium

$48 (Tickets)