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Virginia Tech Hokies (21-7, 8-6 ACC)
NC State Wolfpack (16-13, 4-10 ACC)
Wednesday, March 3 @ 7 p.m.
TV: Not Available
Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA
The Opponent: The last time these two met, the Hokies trounced the hapless Wolfpack 72-52 in Raleigh. State didn't make a three-pointer for the first time since 1989 and shot a woeful 28.6% for the game. On the flip side, Tech had perhaps its best offensive game of the year, shooting 52.6%.
The Hokies started out hot, making their first 10 shots against the Wolfpack, en route to a 26-7 advantage. State never got going and seemed to mail it in for the majority of the game. However, the Pack have seen their fortunes turn as of late.
After losing seven consecutive ACC games, State has won two straight. Last week, the Pack crushed Wake Forest 68-54 at home and went to Miami and beat the Hurricanes 71-66. The win at Miami was just the third for a road team in Coral Gables all year.
The main reason for the team's improvement is the play of point guard Javier Gonzalez (6-0, 175 lbs). Gonzalez has been known as a "hit or miss" type of player, and he has hit on all cylinders in the last two game. The junior has scored 30 points, dished out eight assists and only committed two turnovers in the Pack's last two games. Earlier this year, Gonzalez missed badly against Tech, scoring only two points on 1-of-8 shooting.
The most consistent threat for NC State is forward Tracy Smith (6-8, 247 lbs). The junior averages 17.1 points per game along with 7.9 boards. Against the Hokies earlier this season, Smith was outplayed by Jeff Allen and only managed 12 points and seven rebounds, while committing five turnovers. If Tech can keep up the frontcourt pressure like they did last time out against the Pack, there should be no problem for the Hokies.
My Thoughts: It's Senior Night at Cassell Coliseum, and it's a shame that this game won't be televised. This is most likely the only time that the Hokie faithful will be able to see popular walk-on Paul Debnam start as a member of the Hokies, as per Seth Greenberg's senior tradition. Instead of the usual analysis, here's a look at Debnam and fellow senior Lewis Witcher's top moments in their Tech careers.
Debnam has been a favorite among Hokie fans in recent years, primarily due to his off-court antics. Last year, Debnam acted as coach Greenberg at the annual "Late Night With the Hokies" event, and this year he strutted his stuff as the infamous Michael Jackson. Not known for playing too much, Paul can be seen greeting each starter with their own unique routine during introductions and trying to hold the bench back after a big play by the Hokies on the court.
Paul is one of the most respected players among his peers, and that has shown when he gets his chance to get on the court. Earlier this year, Debnam hit a baseline three-pointer to go along with a thunderous dunk against North Carolina Central to send the Cassell Coliseum crowd into a frenzy, despite being up 30+ points in the final couple minutes. However, the biggest moment so far for Debnam was his breakaway steal and dunk against VMI as the clock ticked down against the Keydets, which set off an even louder ovation. It will be fun to see Debnam on the court with the game not out of hand for Tech.
The lone scholarship senior for this year's team is Lewis "Louuuuu" Witcher from Rocky Mount. Witcher was the first local recruit ever signed by coach Greenberg, and is obviously the only member remaining from his recruiting class. However, Witcher never really grew into the potential that was expected of him, and his playing time has been in a free fall since his freshman year.
Nevertheless, Lewis always gives it his all when he gets his chance to play. Last time out against Maryland, Witcher dove for a ball despite the fact that it was clearly on its way out of bounds. Moments later, Lewis caught an errant pass and threw it behind his back to Erick Green, who ended up missing a layup before Malcolm Delaney slammed it home to get the Cassell rockin'.
You'll always be able to tell when Witcher is out on the court, as a chorus of "Louuuu" will cascade from the student section.
It will be fun to see these seniors take the court as starters for the first time all season. Even if they only last for the first four minutes, which is mandated by coach Greenberg, the fans and players will surely get a kick out of seeing these two seniors play before the Hokie faithful one last time.
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