VTRedwolf…yeah, it’s simply not a style conducive to winning unless your team is built around that strategy…meaning a lot of really good perimeter shooters, which has become abundantly clear that we really don’t have. And, quite honestly, why would we? Players that good aren’t choosing VT to play hoops. We get lucky every so often with a Custis, Coles, Curry, Bristow, or Green…but the fact that you can essentially name the memorable players on one hand it all about the team’s historical performance. SG’s teams tended to be about 80-85% where they needed to be, but the 2-3 inexplicable losses each year combined with a general dearth of marquee wins is what did him in. Unfortunately, it’s looking more and more like the cheap decision is going to cost the program more in the long run. I had high hopes, and the initial 7-0 start looked promising, despite the obvious problems with defense and rebounding, but the collapse since then has been far worse than I could have imagined. The team is a dumpster fire. To think they have the nation’s leading scorer…and are tied for last in the ACC. In terms of in-league play, they also have the league’s worst scoring margin, are tied for last in shooting %, have fallen to mid-pack in free throws, are 11th (only 0.2% better than WF) for 3 pointers, tied for last in assists (no surprise with the dearth of non-Green scoring), last in steals, next to last in fouls…but they are mid-pack in rebounding and top third in fewest turnovers…so I guess that’s something.

Other John – you stole my line. Live by the 3, die by the 3. We were never going to win in the ACC relying on the 3 and Johnson’s decision to play uptempo is beyond belief. You can’t complain about your bench out of one side of your mouth and run an offense that is not supported by the same bench.

I don’t understand why Brown is still on the court so much. His head is so messed up he’s not recovering from this tail spin until he realizes that it doesn’t matter any more – no one’s watching. You never know they could get hot and win a game or two in the ACC tourney, but beyond that the season was over several weeks ago.

I also don’t like some of JJ’s comments to the press. He’s really rolled over on his players and has taken absolutely none of the blame. You’ll rarely hear him utter word defense. The effort is there, but the execution is unfocused and the team lacks the discipline necessary.

Grit your teeth, we’ve got a few more years of him and then there will be the inevitable coaching change. If given 7 or 8 years JJ might have a chance, but after Seth Greenberg’s relative success the natives will not stand for being a perrenial loser for very long.

Large truck with 4WD is the only way to attend anything at the RCC. Then park where all you have to do is drive over the curb and head home…..

Here are some numbers, broken down by the first ten games, when the Hokies were 8-2. Then the last thirteen games, when the Hokies are 3-10.

First ten games? 60 shots a game, .456 FG%. 18 3pt shots a game, .395%. 26 FT’s a game, .774%. Offensive rebounds, 9.5 a game. Total rebounds, 36 a game. Points per game – 81.3

Last thirteen games? 58 shots a game, .396%. 19 3pts shots a game, .260%. 20 FT’s a game, .634%. Offensive rebounds, 13 a game. Total rebounds, 39 a game. Points per game – 64.

The differences? We’re taking 3 less 2pt shots and 1 more 3pt shot a game. Our 2pt FG% is down some, but is still average to good. Our 3pt shooting has gone from being good to being horrid. We’re shooting 6 less FT’s a game, and making a really bad % of them. We’re doing a really good job of offensive rebounding, when we were horrible. We still need to rebound better on defense, though.

The ball movement has stopped. Virtually stopped completely. Johnson MUST figure out how to break a zone, the most fundamental defense. The players need to penetrate and draw the defenders. Greenberg’s offenses were criticized for lack of ball movement, Johnson’s current offense is no different. His defenses are much weaker, though.

To think, folks were tired of being a bubble team.

I agree about the outdated civic centers in both Roanoke and Salem. They are woefully dated and while I go to them for regular events like VT ice hockey and gun shows, I really don’t particularly enjoy the experience at them because they’re so old. The last VT hockey game I went to, they had 1 concession stand open, and it took almost 20 minutes to get popcorn and a water…no excuse for that. Plus, getting out of the RCC parking lot after an event takes far too long. It took a half-hour for us to get out of there, and we were right next to Williamson.