This week I’m counting down to Late Night with the Hokies with 20 of the greatest games the senior class of 2007 has been a part of. Up today are two heart-wrenching defeats at the hands of ranked foes and the always pleasant win over Wahoo U. Don't forget to come back tomorrow as I dive into the top 10, and remember to come out to Cassell Friday night for a great night of entertainment starting at 7pm.
#15 – February 4, 2010, Blacksburg, VA
Hokies 74 UNC 70
The Dukes and UNCs always draw a great crowd, and this frigid February evening was no exception. Cassell was electric before tip-off and after squandering a 4 point halftime lead in January in Chapel Hill, Tech came out ready to prove this would be the day they finally beat North Carolina. Dorenzo Hudson nailed a 3-pointer just 8 seconds into the game and the Hokies built a 10 point lead midway through the first half. The Heels quickly clawed back, however, using two 3-pointers to go on a 12-2 run and carried a 35-33 advantage into the locker room. Despite all the talent on the North Carolina roster, it was the Hokies' players that looked like McDonald’s All-Americans in the second half. The big 3 combined to score 52 points and Terrell Bell notched 11 rebounds as Tech built a 4 point lead going into the final seconds. Bell then made a soaring block of Marcus Ginyard’s 3 point attempt to seal the Hokies first victory over UNC since 2007.
#14 – January 25, 2009, Coral Gables, FL
Hokies 88 Miami 83 (OT)
Despite beating #1 Wake Forest on the road just 4 days prior, the Hokies were 7 point underdogs in BankUnited Center against the Hurricanes. This matchup pitted Baltimore guards Malcolm Delaney and Jack McClinton against each other in a heated battle. Both stars got their points, but McClinton struggled from the field, shooting only 29% for the game, while Delaney shot 47%, including 6 of 12 from three point territory. Most impressive was Delaney’s pull up 3 with two Miami defenders in his face, which gave the Hokies the lead for good with 2 minutes to play in overtime. A.D. Vassallo and Dorenzo Hudson hit 4 free-throws down the stretch to seal the 88-83 victory for the Hokies.
#13 – January 29, 2009, Blacksburg, VA
Hokies 82 #12 Clemson 86
| Delaney posted a career high 37 points |
After taking down #1 Wake Forest and Miami on the road, Tech was on a roll. Twelfth ranked Clemson awaited the Hokies in the first annual blackout game in Cassell. After a high scoring first half was capped off by a half-court buzzer beater by Malcolm Delaney, the Hokies seemed invincible. But after stretching the lead to 15 four minutes into the second half, the Hokies hit a wall and fell flat…for 8 minutes. Tech failed to score again until the 8:54 mark and by then the 15 point lead had turned into a 5 point deficit. The Hokies managed to retake the lead with 3 minutes remaining, but there wasn’t enough gas left in the tank. Behind 7 K.C. Rivers 3-pointers and 20 offensive rebounds, Clemson handed the Hokies a tough loss at home, 86-82.
#12 – March 13, 2009, Atlanta, GA
Hokies 76 #1 UNC 79
Call it fate, destiny, or just dumb luck. Almost a year to the day after Tyler Hansborough dashed the Hokies NCAA tournament hopes and danced his way into the legends of douchebaggery, Tech would again face #1 North Carolina in the ACC tournament, needing a win to avoid the NIT for the second straight year. Tech controlled much of the game against the top ranked Tar Heels, leading by as much as 7 in the first half and by 6 with 10:53 remaining. But North Carolina took a 1 point lead late, and once again the game, and Virginia Tech’s postseason hopes, would come down to one play. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Delaney penetrated and kicked out to a wide open Dorenzo Hudson. But the ball never got to Hudson as teammate JT Thompson unknowingly stole the pass, and proceeded to be mugged by 3 North Carolina defenders. Jump ball was called, and the possession arrow favored UNC. The Hokies had one final chance, but A.D. Vassallo’s desperation 3-pointer was long and Tech was left empty handed at the ACC tournament again.
#11 – January 28, 2010, Charlottesville, VA
Hokies 76 UVA 71 (OT)
If it seemed life Virginia Tech was playing from behind the entire game, it’s because they were. After falling behind 22-10 in the first half, the Hokies clawed back to take a 1 point halftime lead, only to fall behind again 44-34 early in the second. To make matters worse, Jeff Allen was ejected midway through the second half for a “flagrant” elbow. With 3 minutes left, Virginia took a 10 point lead and things looked grim for the visiting Hokies. But Tech locked down defensively and the Hoos folded like a cheap lawn chair under the pressure. Two steals and a 3 pointer by Dorenzo Hudson helped the Hokies take a 3 point lead with 10 seconds to play, but a desperation bomb at the buzzer from Sammy Zeglinski forced overtime. Tech took advantage of the extra frame, as JT Thompson was stellar in place of Jeff Allen. In the end, the Hokies outscored the UVA 24-9 over the final 8 minutes in one of the most impressive comebacks I’ve ever seen.
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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 | Cassell Coliseum | FREE |
| 9-10pm | Late Night w/ the Hokies | Cassell Coliseum | FREE |
Saturday, October 16th
| 3:30pm | Football vs. Wake Forest (Homecoming) | Lane Stadium | $48 (Tickets) |
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