There are no words I can write that will make anyone feel better about what has now happened to our basketball program for an astonishing 4th year in a row. It’s not fair to Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen, and Terrell Bell, and not a representation of what they have accomplished for Virginia Tech Basketball in their careers. I won’t bash the selection committee and their vague, inaccurate justifications or offer up any conspiracy theories today, I’ll save that for the offseason. I do know that there is still basketball to be played, starting tomorrow at 8 pm inside Cassell. The team needs it’s fans more than ever to show up and show that we are behind them 100%. The only thing that would be more unjust for our seniors is for our fans to forget that. Are you still All In?
| Starting Lineups | ||||||||||
| Virginia Tech | Bethune-Cookman | |||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Cl. | PPG | RPG | Player | Ht. | Cl. | PPG | RPG |
| G | Green | 6’4” | So. | 11.4 | 2.3 | Reed | 6’3” | Jr. | 19.1 | 3.8 |
| G | Delaney | 6’3” | Sr. | 18.6 | 3.5 | Elliot | 6’3” | Jr. | 5.2 | 2.5 |
| G/F | Bell | 6’7” | Sr. | 6.8 | 5.7 | Bryant | 6’6” | So. | 5.2 | 3.5 |
| F | Allen | 6’7” | Sr. | 13.3 | 9.9 | Starling | 6’6” | Sr. | 10.9 | 6.7 |
| F | Davila | 6’8” | Jr. | 7.7 | 5.3 | Abrahams | 6’9” | Sr. | 4.0 | 2.8 |
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| Badmouth B-CU and he'll slice your face |
| Location: Daytona Beach, FL |
| Enrollment: 3,600 |
| Mascot: Wildcat |
| Famous alumnus: Kimbo Slice (pictured) |
Game notes:
- Bethune-Cookman guard C.J. Reed ranks 38th nationally with 19.1 points per game and 54th with 4.8 assists.
- The Wildcats rank 33rd in the nation with a +2.5 turnover margin.
- B-CU ranks 319th in Division I in defensive efficiency, allowing opponents to score 111.5 points per 100 possessions.
- Bethune-Cookman is 1-27 all-time under coach Clifford Reed against BCS conference opponents.
- The Hokies rank 8th in offensive steal percentage. Opponents force a steal on just 7% of Virginia Tech possessions.
- Malcolm Delaney needs 13 assists to pass Hall of Famer Bimbo Coles as Tech’s all-time assists leader.
| Team | VT | B-CU |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ACC | MEAC |
| Conf. Record | 9-7 | 13-3 |
| PPG | 69.8 | 66.3 |
| Opp. PPG | 62.5 | 65.5 |
| Reb. Margin | +1.8 | -0.2 |
| Turn. Margin | +2.0 | +2.5 |
| FG% | 44.9% | 43.9% |
| Def. FG% | 41.3% | 45.7% |
| 3PT% | 32.6% | 31.7% |
On to what’s important, does Bethune-Cookman have a shot at actually upsetting the Hokies? Vegas obviously doesn’t think so, as the Hokies are early 22 point favorites. I, on the other hand, would be shocked (although pleasantly) if the Hokies handle the Wildcats that easily. The emotional letdown of being left out of the NCAA Tournament without a doubt will weigh heavily on the players' minds this week and the thought of playing Bethune-Cookman doesn’t exactly instill excitement in the players or the fans watching. For the Wildcats, they have nothing to lose and will play their hearts out. Despite that, the talent difference is immense, and at whatever point the Hokies decide to turn it on, they should be able to score at will. The Wildcats played two major conference opponents this season and lost by an average of 38.5 points. The Hokies should force the tempo against B-CU and look to score in transition off turnovers. I see this one staying uncomfortably close before Tech pulls away in the second half.
Prediction: Hokies 67 Bethune-Cookman 53
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