Friday: Cavs fall; Hokies space out; Prep playoffs continue
Here’s the top stuff today:
-Doug’s game story on UVa’s 37-13 loss to North Carolina.
-My column on the “Bowl Bowl” between UVa and Virginia Tech failing to materialize.
-The Hokies are enjoying the space they’re getting on offense in James Johnson’s system, as they beat VMI 95-80. I’ll get my first look at Tech next Friday when it hosts App. State.
-Episode 3 of the Hokies Press Pass podcast with Andy and me is posted here. This week, we talk a little Marcus Davis, FSU, Logan Thomas draft stock and tomorrow’s game at BC.
-Robert has excellent preview capsules on every prep football playoff game here. See some of you in Lynchburg, where William Byrd will try to upset Heritage.
NAME THAT TUNE
I don’t know you
ButI think I hate you
You’re the reason for my misery
Strange how you’ve become
My biggest enemy
And I’ve never even seen your face
Maybe it’s just jealousy
Mixing up with a violent mind
A circumstance that doesn’t make much sense
Or maybe I’m just dumb…
November 16, 2012 - 8:42 AM
I really, really like what JJ has done for the basketball program. Call me crazy, but I believe that Tech can hang with top notch teams with their offense. One game I am most looking forward to watching is the UNC-Tech game. It’s going to be a fun, run-n-gun basketball to watch. As someone told me, it is obivious that everybody put a lot of work in the offseason. The Hokies were on fire, lighting up VMI from beyond the arc, running through, around, and under VMI with their fast break opportunities.
Tough luck for UVa. UNC is going to be really good in football under Larry Fedora. Give him a couple years to recruit defense players for the 4-2-5 schemes, and they will be scary good.
Tomorrow, Tech has a chance to do some serious muscle flexing against Boston College. If it was up to me, I would be committing to the run game early and often, give Coleman the work he needs, and just run to the right! Wang is an awful lineman who needs to be demoted to 3rd string. If Tech can’t pulverize BC, then how can anybody expect for them to pound UVa?
Last night I couldn’t help but thinking about how much fun it would be to be an offensive player in Larry the Hat’s system.
AM, while I was at the game, I was thinking that the quarterback in that system must feel like he’s playing a real life video game. That’s got to be fun.
Yep. That’s it exactly, JH. Just out there pressing X-Y-O and watching defenses pant. I’m not sure how much the UNC defense loves the quick scoring drives, but the fact that they’ve held foes under 400 total yards on average is pretty impressive given the pace of the O.
AM, that does look like fun to play in that system….to take part in the off season workouts that the Heels had to do to whip them into shape to play at that pace, that didn’t look like much fun at all. Huge tractor tires, sledge hammers, dragging free weights through heave wet sand….all this while in shoulderpads and helmets in the heat and humidity of summer. The clip ESPN showed last night on the conditioning involved for that was nearly enough to give me a coronary just watching it.
I’ll remain cautiously optimistic until the Hokies play a real team in hoops. If they can run their offense against an ACC schedule, that would be nice. We’ll have to wait until January to see, though. After Thanksgiving, they’ll face a little bit of real teams, so we can see pretty soon how Johnson’s guys do. Their first five games were not even a question about being blowout wins, so hopefully, they’re getting their confidence built. The big boy games begin in January.
I really don’t care if our B-Ball team is any good this year. I just want them to be fun to watch. And to make fouls shots once in a while.
It’ll be a couple seasons before we know what JJ really has.
The thing I liked about Johnson’s approach is it fits the players style. With Greenberg they were always looking over their shoulder to see SG’s reaction after a mistake or quick shot. They appear relaxed which contributes to their success shooting the ball. I think these first 3 games are the highest shooting per centages they’ve had from 3 pt arc and the floor. Defense is a little weak right now and that will be their achilles heel during ACC schedule.
And BTW Aaron, I’m rooting for the Sun Bowl. I like El Paso and its a quick flight on Southwest. I would probably have to drive to Shreveport.
If the game is in El Paso you all remind me and I will tell the blog where the absolute best steaks on the planet are. There is a restaurant outside of El Paso (to the east) that is just outstanding and beats the crap out of Morton’s, Ruth’s, Fleming’s, etc. Only the locals know about it and it is very reasonable – especially compared to the fancy chains.
A 3 game stretch where they will host some really good teams (Iowa, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia) should give us a good barometer of how they will handle the ACC slate. West Virginia, in particular, runs a similar offense to VT, but their 1-3-1 zone is going to be befuddling to the Hokies. Also, the ‘neers loves to jack up 3s, so if the Hokies can continue to play defense, collect rebounds from missed 3s, and get out in transition, I think they have a chance.
Right now, they’ll be on the road to play UNCG, and that’s going to give me a clue how they handle road games.
I’m telling you, if you like the hurry up offense in football, go watch ODU. They are faster starting their plays than Oregon, UNC, any of the fast offenses. The QB gets the play as he is running back to line up and from then on, all decisions are his. Very seldom do they change a play at the line, if they do it has to be a hand signal or one word change. They were running a play every 8-12 seconds.
Seems to me the Hokies are seeking a new identity under Johnson and it sounds pretty good so far. I think that three game stretch starting on the 27th with Iowa will be very telling as to how far they’ve gotten in building that run and gun mentality. From the players’ comments through the first three games it sounds like they are relaxed and having fun playing that style and I say more power to them and JJ. Expectations from the fans are pretty low for his first season at the helm so turn’em loose, let them have fun and see what happens.
One last comment and I’m gone, did anyone besides me notice the attendance at UVA last night. It looked pretty good until they showed the upper deck. I would say from my easy chair view they were at about 70-80% capacity. Playing for a bowl game and their fans give them that. Pathetic,just pathetic.
Interesting that Tech hoops chatter is this active this early. Not complaining; just interesting. I’m sure both are factors, but I’m wondering if it’s more because:
A) Folks are checking out on football season early this year; or
B) Tech has a new coach
That quote from Green in Berman’s game story was interesting. “It’s like AAU a little bit, but it’s controlled. We’re getting out and running, everybody’s getting touches.” Anybody remember that tweet from Green last year where he said something to the effect of “I miss AAU”?
As you guys have noted, time will tell whether the system will thrive against better competition. But the star player enjoying himself on the floor can’t be a bad thing.
Aaron, right now, the hot topic is how well the basketball program is right now, and the football season, for whatever it is worth, is pretty much done. Yeah, they could go 6-6 and wind up in a low tier bowl, but that’s not much to write about. I’m hoping that the Hokies destroys the Eagles just to feel good about themselves, but at this point, like Beamer said, they are playing for pride, and that’s not much to cheer for.
The players are having fun, that is so obivious, and so are the fans. Just listen to chatter on Twitter, and you get the idea of how fun this program is rubbing off on the fans. Just wait until Cassel is full to the max, and the noise level should be Lane Stadium, Jr.
Heck, I made the comment to my wife last night that I might be turning into a VT b-ball fan, and I’m a UNC FAN!!!! What’s happening to me?! LOL.
I glad the VT B’ball team looks better but I’m one of those who think it’s way too early for b’ball. It’s still football season. Sorry Trev, but I’ll have to disagree, I think pride is something to cheer for. I was cheering for them when they were 2 – 8 and I’ll cheer for them til the final gun of each season.
Tom L. this is for you and any other Hokie fan that I agree with on football topics. I went with four of my friends last night to the game. We started out on the hill at the beginning of the game and with ten minutes before kickoff we looked around and noticed how empty the upper deck was. We laughed at how ridiculous it is but it really is not something that is funny for the UVA football program. Some of my best friends attend Virginia Tech and I visit them often. I go to games when offered and love visiting because the campus is just awesome. The atmosphere differences between the stadiums is just unreal. I love watching football games at Lane because of how passionate the fans are. At UVA I give grief to people for leaving early because if you are in a close game there is no reason to leave other than to get home for your bedtime I guess. I noticed though that my buddy and I were the only ones in the crowd that seemed to be upset about the game. Either everyone was quiet or they were talking about their plans for tomorrow. I mean come on people, we just clinched a losing season after going 8-5 last season and being promised by London that he would lead us to the promised land. I mean shouldn’t that bother us as a fan base? I know that not all UVA fans are like that but it is just ridiculous. It paints a horrible picture for the university and its fans. As I said, we started out on the hill and I want to say that I completely understand why UVA gets the reputation that it does. I’m 19 and I witness the partying firsthand sometimes as I see it with my friends, but the students that were around us were drunk and obnoxious. It’s just pretty disgusting to watch and I want to apologize to all of you if you have had to deal with that crap in the past.
Excuse me for my rant, now for the football side. I can’t tell who has more polar opposites, the players or the coaches. Rocco shows flashes of brilliance and then throws a pick six right to the safety with no receiver within five yards. Then you get a first and goal from the 8 and run 4 consecutive times up the middle. I just don’t understand how you don’t try to run a play action bootleg at least on one of those downs. Missed opportunities would be the story of last night for sure. I’m so fed up with the mediocrity that surrounds UVA and it doesn’t seem to bother anyone.
AM I think it’s because for the first time in a long time the Tech basketball team already has almost as many wins as the football team in November.
Speaking of football, the ACC front office has to be pulling for VT the next two weeks. With 8 bowl tie-ins (9 if you count the alternate slot in the Kraft hunger bowl) and only 4 teams currently elligible for those spots, the conference isn’t looking so good. VT is the most likely to get bowl elligible out of the rest.
You have to assume Miami will not go to a bowl regardless now so that leave 4 more teams counting Tech that can get elligible.
Maryland is one of those and they have to beat FSU and UNC to get in so I’m not counting on them.
GT has to beat Duke this week or Georgia next week. If I were them I would be putting all my hopes into this week.
Wake Forest has to beat either Notre Dame or Vanderbilt. I don’t have a good feeling about either of these games.
So if we have a Duke upset of GT and a VT loss to either BC or UVA, the conference can only fill 4 out of 8/9 bowl slots. That is not what they had in mine when they expanded a few years ago.
Like 540, I typically don’t flip the mental switch from football to basketball until New Year’s. This year, it might be as soon as the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It’s nice to see the Hokies scoring bunches, even if it is against water-thin opposition. Scoring 75-95 on nobodies is more fun to watch than scoring 65 on nobodies. I’m more than a little skittish about Green’s comments on AAU ball, just because I know what a viper’s pit AAU ball is, so any reference to that makes me recoil. At least the guys seem to be enthusiastic, and that means a lot. Again, we’ll see how it works in January.
UVA fan, that’s not what London had in mind when he took over at UVA. I just think it’s the schools culture. I have a niece going there now, had so many credits she started as a soph., has never attended a game and could care less. Will attend a party though. Spirit is something that doesn’t develop overnight and I don’t think think it will at UVA until the team provides a winning product over several years. Your right on the obnoxious. Attended the Tech, UVA game there in 09 and the drunks were crude, rude and obnoxious. Cussing, talking smack and had left and gone to the party by halftime. My oldest son(aUVA fan) was really dismayed by their behavior. I had my sons and son-in-law with me and it’s a good thing they have matured or it would have been on. I don’t condone that sort of behavior, especially when women and children are around. For a minute I thought I was at WVU.
Interesting comments on the basketball season time periods. I for one think we need more of a defined period for all sports. Baseball shouldn’t last into November. Basketball should be the end of November to April none of this playoffs in July crap like the NBA does. Footbal should be September to the end of November with Playoffs after that. And, NASCAR should be Friday and Saturday night.
540Hokie, if my post sounded like I have given up on the football season, then why am I hoping that they destroys BC? No, I haven’t given up on them, but the rub is, why are they playing for “pride?” What exactly constitutes pride for this team? Hoping that they win their next games and go bowling, just for the sake of keeping the bowl appearance streak, is that it has come down to?
What is so great about beating a very, very lame UVa team (apologies to all UVa fans if this offends them)? The intensity of this rivalry between the Commonweatlh schools is as exciting as a Girl Scouts’ bake sale. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, the best rivalry Tech has right now is the Bumble Bees. Nobody makes Tech work the hardest, make them sweat to the final seconds than the Bumble Bees. Nothing gets me all fired up, amped than for the Hokies to squash the Bumble Bees. Beating the Hoos have become so regular, and their late season fade just leave me feeling meh. Miami is always going to get me pissed because they are from Florida. Ditto for FSU. UVa? There’s a reason on Twitter folks use this #LOLUVA.
I have read an excellent blog/article from the Fighting Gobbler about this very subject. It’s worth a read.
Trev – I don’t care how lame UVA is, beating them is GREAT!
Thats what RIVALRY means.
Hold on Trev, I wasn’t being critical. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you have yours. I just think pride is a good thing to play for. For the record, I think the best thing about beating a very, very lame UVa team is not losing to a very, very lame UVa team. I agree with the Ga.Tech riviary and also consider Miami dating back to the Big East days as a big rival. The Miami thing is a bit personal, I just don’t like them. I dislike Miami so much I’ll pull for anyone against them, including UVa.
BTW, I think to be a true rival, both teams must win every now and then. GT and Miami qualify. Right now the Hoo’s don’t. It’s mostlyan inter-office argument for some people.
Domination by one rival over the other doesn’t weaken the rivalry. Ask Auburn fans if they ever felt less hate for Bammer RollTiders. Ask A&Mers if they ever hated the teasips less because they got pounded by them consistently.
Sure, youngsters, who don’t have a real appreciation for actual rivalries & who operate in a Madden 20-fill in the blank mindset, those kids don’t think a team is a rival if they pwn the team, but that means virtually nothing.
UVa has always been, and always will be, THE rival. If we beat them 50 times in a row, the 51st won’t be any less sweet. It’s not boot on the neck vengeance, it’s head on a pike and purging the children of their children. And it is all deserved. BC doesn’t matter. All that is left that matters in this season is beating UVa.
WHAT!? No Q&A with A-mac? Did the Hokies season bum you down, Aaron?
I agree with Beamer..this season can really be something if we can turn it around and make a bowl. Can I get a small bowl of maggots with that rotted turkey leg?
A little late with my comments, but here are my opinions. U Va defensive game plan was apparently stop the run and prevent any long pass touchdowns.They succeeded in stopping Bernard, but the the soft coverage to prevent long pass touchdowns gave UNC a bonanza on short pass first downs and easy touchdowns. On the offensive side, why they stuck with Rocco, when Sims was clearly having better success is beyond my understanding. And as usual, their kicking team was woeful. Maybe with the extra rest and a chance to review the game films, they will come out better in their last game. Maybe.
The song, Chump, by Green Day. In honor of VT finally getting a win, I played, “AT LAST”.