Virginia Tech’s luck has disappeared within the new 12 months. After capturing 4 extra time wins within the season’s first two months, the Hokies misplaced three of their final 4 video games by a complete of 5 factors.
Virginia Tech (13-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Convention) seeks a turnaround when it faces struggling Notre Dame (10-7, 1-3) on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hokies are recovering from a surprising 77-76 loss Wednesday at SMU. They surrendered a half-court shot on the buzzer to Boopie Miller.
“When he threw the ball up, you can’ve knocked me over with a feather,” Virginia Tech coach Mike Younger mentioned.
Making the loss much more troublesome to simply accept for the Hokies was that over the ultimate seven seconds, they dedicated a turnover and twice missed the entrance finish of 1-and-1 free throws.
Per week earlier towards Stanford, Virginia Tech collapsed after main by 12 factors with 2:18 left. Ebuka Okorie drained a stepback trey with three seconds to go to beat the Hokies 69-68.
The excellent news for Virginia Tech is that final 12 months’s high scorer and rebounder, Tobi Lawal, has returned after lacking 9 video games with a foot damage.
Lawal provides firepower to a lineup that features Amani Hansberry (15.5 factors, 9.1 rebounds per recreation) and Neoklis Avdalas (14.2 factors, 5.1 assists).
Ball-handling points plagued Notre Dame whereas shedding 4 of its final 5 video games.
The lack of high scorer and flooring chief Markus Burton (18.5 factors per recreation), who suffered an ankle damage in early December, has been robust to beat.
Through the five-game spell, the Preventing Irish dedicated greater than twice as many turnovers as their opponents (66-31) and gave up 74 factors off these errors.
For the season, Notre Dame is final within the ACC in turnover margin (minus-2.7 factors per recreation) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.99 per recreation).
“This group has to discover a approach with out (Burton),” coach Micah Shrewsberry mentioned after Tuesday’s 81-69 loss at residence to Miami, by which Notre Dame dedicated a season-high 18 turnovers.
With Burton out, Jalen Haralson (15.1 factors per recreation) has taken on a bigger position within the backcourt, whereas Carson Towt (10.2 rebounds) paces the frontcourt.
–Discipline Stage Media
