Virginia Tech (15-11, 6-6 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech (11-13, 4-6 ACC) Saturday, February 23, 2008, 2:00 TV: RLF Split (click here for station listings) Roster Card: Click here
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Morrow is a spot up shooter. Of his 113 field goals this season, 58 have been three-pointers, over half. The Hokies need to stay with Morrow when he runs off screens, and not give him any breathing room. Make him put the ball on the floor. He's not a guy who likes to create his own offense, instead preferring to take the open jumper. Causey likes to take the outside shot as well, though he has shown better ability to take the ball to the hoop as the season has progressed. Still, he's most dangerous when he's outside the three-point line, and he's got unlimited range. Causey has been inconsistent since he blew up on the Hokies for 30. Sometimes he's great, sometimes he does nothing.
Jeremis Smith is Georgia Tech's top inside player. He is a strong, physical player. He is capable of posting a double-double in any game he plays. His matchup with Jeff Allen on the inside should be fun to watch. Both guys are about the same height, with Allen being a little heavier and possessing more natural talent. However, Smith has a ruggedness that you love, and a lot of experience in the ACC. Perhaps Georgia Tech's main problem is that Smith is their only true banger on the inside. Gani Lawal and Alade Aminu are both solid players, but they don't bring the physical intensity that Smith brings every night. The Hokies should have a good chance to out-rebound the Yellow Jackets, as they did in the first meeting. Tech held a 38-33 advantage on the boards back on January 19.
Georgia Tech has struggled defensively on the road this season, allowing 81 points per game in contests played on the opposing team's home court. They have allowed 80 or more points seven times on the road, including their last four road games. The Yellow Jackets have allowed less than 74 points on the road just once.
It would be big for the Hokies to get Jeremis Smith in foul trouble early. Jeff Allen is capable of having a lot of success on the inside against Georgia Tech, and Smith's absence would create a big rebounding edge for the Hokies, as well as eliminate the Yellow Jackets' only consistent inside scoring threat. ACC games can go either way, and this one is no different. What I like is that Georgia Tech hasn't played since Sunday. In VT games this year, it has seemed that if a team has come into the game with a week off, they've shown up a bit rusty. That was the case when Boston College lost to the Hokies in January, and it was the case when VT lost at UNC last weekend. After not playing since Sunday, and spending all week preparing for a game against UVA that was never played, the Jackets could be a bit rusty on Saturday. Or, they might not. They could come out on fire. If there's one thing I've learned in almost four years of being in the ACC, there is no rhyme or reason to winning or losing in the ACC. You've just got to bring your best, and hope for the best. |