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Virginia Tech Hokies (20-4, 7-3 ACC)
#23 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-5, 8-3 ACC)
Tuesday, February 16, 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia
The Opponent: Wake Forest waltzes into Blacksburg on a four-game winning streak, featuring an 11-point beatdown of then-#20 Georgia Tech and a three-point overtime win at Virginia. The Deacs are a much better team at home than they are on the road, as evidenced by their three ACC losses all taking place away from Winston-Salem.
The Hokies have controlled the Demon Deacons since Tech joined the ACC, winning five of seven matchups. Last year, Tech knocked off the #1 Deacs in Winston-Salem 78-71. Jeff Teague and James Johnson combined for 41 points in the loss, but both have since graduated.
Instead, Wake Forest relies on sophomore forward Al-Farouq Aminu (6-9, 215 lbs). Aminu has scored in double-digits in all but three games, and averages a double-double with 16.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. In fact, Aminu has tallied 15 double-doubles on the season, including seven in ACC play. He also leads the team in blocks (1.6 per game) and is tied for second on Wake with 1.5 steals per game.
Aminu is currently the best offensive and defensive rebounder in the entire conference statistically. A major key for Tech in this game will be keeping Aminu off the boards. Whomever is guarding him (Allen, Bell, Thompson) needs to make sure they are boxing the rebounding pro out in order to limit Wake's second chance opportunities.
The other stud for the Deacs is senior guard Ishmael Smith (6-0, 175 lbs). Smith has had a huge year (similar to Dorenzo Hudson busting out this year) with a career-high 13 points per game, along with 6.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. "Ish" is one of the craftiest guards once he gets in the lane, often making circus shots when he seems out of control. Wake likes to find different ways to get the ball to Smith in their half-court set, but he primarily scores in transition. It will be important for Hudson and the Hokies to control Smith in transition if they want to win.
The other key players for Wake are freshman C.J. Harris (6-2, 175 lbs) and senior L.D. Williams (6-4, 210 lbs). Harris is averaging 10.7 points per game in his freshman year, good enough for third on the team. Williams, a defensive specialist in charge of stopping Malcolm Delaney and/or Hudson, has produced nicely on the offensive end with 8.7 points per game.
Also be on the lookout for senior forward Chas McFarland (7-0, 235 lbs). McFarland isn't that athletic, but he has a short fuse and has been known for some rough play inside the paint. Victor Davila will have the honor of covering the seven-footer.
My Thoughts: Every game from here on out is a big game, but this one may be the biggest (aside from the trip to Duke obviously). A win over Wake would give the Hokies a win against the #12 team in the RPI and would clinch the tiebreaker against the Deacs, who currently sit second in the ACC standings. That tiebreaker would go along with tiebreakers the Hokies have already earned against Clemson and Virginia.
Tech lacks that signature win on their resume, and no Clemson shouldn't count. A win over a top 25 team in the RPI would improve Tech's NCAA tournament chances astronomically, as well as give them confidence heading into Durham this coming Sunday.
Wake presents a matchup problem inside with Aminu and McFarland. The Hokies have struggled on the defensive glass, but have to buck that trend in order to come away with a victory tonight. The Deacons are great on the offensive glass and that could be a huge turning point if this game is close near the end. In addition, Tech needs to get back on defense while in transition, something they have done relatively well at times. Stopping Ish Smith is essential, as Wake is not as good while in a half-court set.
The Hokies have been playing great defense as of late, holding their last three opponents to less than 33% shooting from the field. However, they face a stiff challenge from Wake, who is second in the league at 44% shooting. This battle of strength vs strength will more than likely determine the winner of this game. If Tech can force the Deacs into bad shots, the Hokies should win. If Wake gets out in transition and can get the ball to the rim, they could very well walk out of Cassell a winner.
My hot hand pick of the game is one of the toughest choices I've had to make since starting this little shenanigan. I would go with Jeff Allen, but I think Aminu may prove to big of a roadblock for the Big Donut to have a standout performance. Defensive specialist L.D. Williams will more than likely cover Dorenzo Hudson, which leaves Malcolm Delaney against Ish Smith. I'll take Delaney on the offensive end over the undersized point guard, but I could see all members of the Tech Trio having quality games.
Make sure if you are going to the game to get their early and make some noise, as this is the only nationally-televised home game this season. Let's show ESPN and the nation why Cassell is one of the toughest places to play in America. GO HOKIES!
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