Tobacco Road Report

Home | Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech Hokies

Subscribe to the Virginia Tech Hokies Feed

UNC Carries the Hopes of the ACC

After the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, the only team left representing the ACC is North Carolina. Boston College, Maryland, and Virginia all had chances to advance while Virginia Tech seemed overmatched against a tough Southern Illinois defense. Had the ball bounced a little differently in a few cases, two or three ACC teams could be moving on. However, it's now down to the Tar Heels who are playing as well as any of the remaining teams in the tournament.

Continue Reading >

Salukis Advance, Frustrate Hokies Into 48 Points

By Michael

The statistics in this game for each team actually look similar at first glance. Virginia Tech shot 19 of 46 from the field, 8 of 15 from the line, had 28 rebounds with 5 offensive, and only 11 turnovers. Southern Illinois was 19 of 43 from the floor, 13 of 23 from the line, had 29 rebounds with 6 offensive, and only 9 turnovers.

The difference was that the Salukis shot 12 of 21 from three point territory and had 11 assists. Virginia Tech, not known as a stellar outside shooting team, only managed 2 of 13 from three point land and recorded an absurdly low 3 assists. The 2 of 13 is not surprising, and the 3 assists are a reflection of the lock-down defense that the Salukis played. TRR has seen the Salukis several times this year and we think their defense today was as good as we've seen them play. Their stellar defense takes opponents out of any flow and degrades the opponent's offense to one on one moves as the shot clock winds down.

Southern advances to take on Kansas...and they'll need every break to prevail. Virginia Tech loses Dowdell and Gordon to graduation, but the Hokies managed to secure an excellent group of recruits. The team will look very different next year and Seth Greenberg's challenge will be to keep the momentum going.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Recovers Late to Down Illinois

By Michael

Despite a large turnover margin in their favor, Virginia Tech struggled to down shots all evening, They finally found the winning stroke in the final ten minutes, scoring the last 12 points of the game and earning their first NCAA Tournament victory in 11 years.

Continue Reading >

NCAA First Round Preview: Virginia Tech (#5) vs. Illinois (#12)

Today, we begin our preview of ACC teams in the NCAA tournament.

Continue Reading >

ACC Receives 7 NCAA Tournament Bids

By Michael

We would have posted some comments on the brackets earlier, but the server was down for several hours. Of all days for that to happen...

North Carolina wins a share of the regular season conference title and wins the ACC Tournament outright...and what is their reward? Possible games against Marquette, Texas, and Gerogetown in the toughest regional bracket. Thanks, but don't do us any more favors.

That and other thoughts in this post.

Continue Reading >

NC State Advances, Sets Up All-Tobacco Road Final

By Michael

NC State downed Virginia Tech 72-64, setting up an All-Tobacco Road final in the ACC Conference Tournament. The Wolfpack continue on their magical run, but have been fortunate to face three similar teams. That will change today when they meet North Carolina.

Continue Reading >

Tobacco Road Report All-ACC Awards IV

In this segment of the TRR All-ACC Awards, we offer our selections for the Tobacco Road Report Defensive All-ACC Team and Tobacco Road Report Defensive Player of the Year.

Continue Reading >

Tobacco Road Report All-ACC Awards

We've finished passing around the ballots for the 1st Annual Tobacco Road Report All-ACC Awards. Today we present our results for the TRR All-ACC Team selections and TRR Player of the Year in the ACC. Congratulations to the winners.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Falls to Clemson, Fails to Share in Title

We're not sure what to say anymore when it comes to Virginia Tech's penchant to play to the level of their opponent. Tech had something to play for in this game and a share of the conference title would have been a nice cap to a turnaround season. Instead, the Hokies failed to guard the three point line, allowing Rivers and Hammonds to shoot 8 of 14 from three. Clemson then mixed its defenses well and the press was surprisingly effective at rattling the Hokies at several points during the game. The result was that Dowdell couldn't find a second fiddle and the Hokies became much easier to defend. Clemson is hanging onto slim hopes for an NCAA bid. We don't think they're in, but the committee has something to think about now.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Rises to the Top Slot in the ACC

By Michael

Two minutes into this game, TRR scribbled in his notebook,"The defenses are focused on stopping the guard duos and forcing the supporting cast to step up." On this night, Virginia's supporting cast would indeed step up and provide the necessary offensive balance, allowing No. 25 Virginia (20-8) to extract revenge from No. 21 Virginia Tech (20-9) with a 69-56 win on senior night in a rockin' John Paul Jones Arena.

What Virginia didn't know at the time was that Georgia Tech would soon take down the mighty Tar Heels, allowing Virginia to slide into first place in the ACC with an 11-4 conference record. North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Boston College all sit close behind at 10-5. Virginia all alone at the top? Who wouldda thunk it?

Continue Reading >

Just a Thought

Is there a better open court finisher in the ACC than Deron Washington? After watching him finish several open opportunities with monster jams, we don't think so.

Although he's playing fewer minutes this year, Washington is averaging more points, rebounds, and assists. Our only beef is the free throw shooting.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Stomps Eagles

by David

BC came out flat in their first road game after a disappointing homestand last week against Duke and UNC. Va. Tech reinserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the last weeks of the ACC season.

Continue Reading >

NC State Destroys Virginia Tech 81-56

We have to admit up front that nobody on the TRR staff saw this one. With so many other big games on the schedule this weekend, we had to choose, letting Miami v. Wake and NC State v. Virginia Tech slip through the cracks.

However, we have seen enough of the Wolfpack to know that they can get on a roll offensively and when the shots are falling, they're tough to beat. The Wolfpack finished with all five starters in double figures and averaged a stunning 1.35 points per possession. 21 assists on 32 made field goals, or assists on 35 percent of 60 total possessions is outstanding. The Wolfpack also held the defensive glass, gathering a conference-high 76 percent of all defensive rebound opportunities.

The outcome of this game didn't materially change things with respect to the NCAA Tournament, but it will make it more difficult for Virginia Tech to win the regular season conference outright. This is why we love ACC play...Virginia Tech beats UNC twice but loses to NC State twice. Welcome to Tobacco Road.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Takes Down Carolina, Moves into 2nd Place

By Michael

Outside of the last ten minutes of the first half, when they were able to combine stops on defense with some open court looks on offense, the Tar Heels looked out of sorts for most of this game. When Virginia Tech is on defensively, and the game is at their pace, they can make opponents look this way. It may not be pretty, but it is effective. The 81-80 overtime win moves Virginia Tech to 18-7 overall and 8-3 in conference, and should help the Hokies improve on their No. 25 ranking. The loss drops No. 4 Carolina to 22-4 overall and 8-3 in conference. The two are now tied with Virginia for second place in conference.

Continue Reading >

Wine and Cheese

While watching the UNC - Virginia Tech game tonight, I'm reminded of Sam Cassell saying that Carolina had a "wine and cheese" crowd. These are the No. 2 and 3 teams in conference and Virginia Tech thumped Carolina in their last meeting. I'm really surprised that the crowd isn't into this game.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Stomps Virginia

By Michael

Virginia Tech (17-7, 7-3) jumped all over Virginia (16-7, 8-3) from the opening tip, opening a 38-22 halftime lead and cruising to an 84-57 dismantling of a Cavalier squad that had won seven straight conference games. Dowdell and Gordon shut down Singletary and Reynolds, and received excellent production from Washington (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Vassallo (22 points, 4-6 3-FG).

Continue Reading >

Dudley, BC Serve Notice: We're Not Done Yet

By David

It is really cold where I live today, but it warms my heart to see BC go ballistic on Va. Tech. Jared Dudley (30 points, 11 rebounds) was on fire from the field. He was 11 for 15 overall from the field and 4 for 5 from three point land. It was 19 - 14 in favor of BC with about 8:30 gone in the first half, and then the rout began.

Continue Reading >

ACC Men's Basketball Players of the Week: Jan 29

Congratulations to Virginia Tech's Zabian Dowdell and North Carolina's Ty Lawson. Dowdell was named the ACC Player of the Week and Lawson was selected as the ACC Rookie of the Week. Read the story here.

Continue Reading >

Georgia(s) on My Mind

by Chris

When the managing editor of TRR gave me my weekend assignment, Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech, I had a feeling that we would see a good game from Dowdell and career games for one of the Hokie post players. As we pointed out earlier in the week, Georgia Tech has a problem with post defense. So, today’s winner from the Hokie frontline was A.D. Vassallo who posted a robust 19 point, 10 rebound effort. Dowdell was solid as usual with 23 points and 8 assists.

What can we say about Georgia Tech? We’ve found three letters that work: NIT. The frontline of Smith, Dickey, and Young combined for 11 points and the team shot 36 percent from the floor. When you grab 17 offensive rebounds and take 71 field goal attempts to your opponents 42, you should win the game.

On to bigger things…

TRR is in the process of looking at potential NCAA matchups for the ACC in March. Today, TRR took a road trip to Athens, Georgia to watch LSU battle Georgia. In a closely fought contest, Georgia edged LSU 57-54 on a last second three pointer by Levi Stukes. TRR offers scouting reports on each club.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Finds a Way, Defeats Maryland 67-64

By Michael

This was the most compelling game of the weekend in ACC play. Entering this game Virginia Tech held a 3-1 conference record, good enough for 3rd place overall, while Maryland was 1-3 and sitting near the bottom in 10th place. Both teams needed this victory, Virgina Tech to hold its home court and stake its claim for a top spot in conference and Maryland to keep its tournament hopes alive.

We at TRR felt these teams were evenly matched, on paper anyway, and the results confirmed our opinions. That said, Virginia Tech (14-5, 4-1) found a way to win in overtime, leaving Maryland (15-5, 1-4) scratching their collective heads. In doing so, the Hokies reaffirmed the benefits of backcourt experience.

Continue Reading >

ACC Men's Basketball Players of the Week for January 15

Zabian Dowdell and Javaris Crittendon pick up this week's honors. Check out the details here.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Takes Down Goliath...Again

Virginia Tech (13-4, 3-0) built a 22 point second half lead and held on for a 94-88 win over No. 1 North Carolina (15-2, 2-1). It's been a good week for the Hokies, the victory over North Carolina comes on the heels --sorry for the bad pun -- of their victory over Duke. As we mentioned in our pre-season review of the Hokies here, the Hokies need Coleman Collins to provide an inside threat. For the second straight game, he did, being credited with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Along the way, he helped frustrate Hansbrough into 5-13 shooting and 4 turnovers.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech Avenges Last Year’s Loss: Takes Advantage of 22 Duke TOs

By Michael

After appearing to regain his form, Greg Paulus took a serious step back today, turning the ball over 6 times in 18 minutes. Paulus wasn’t the only one who was careless with the ball as the Blue Devils committed 22 total turnovers. Virginia Tech used their backcourt quickness and the extra opportunities to earn a 69-67 overtime win at Cameron Indoor and avenge last year’s season-crushing loss against Duke.

Continue Reading >

Virginia Tech 63, Wake Forest 60

By Chris and Michael

Virginia Tech (7-3, 1-0) used a 13-2 run midway through the second half to open their ACC schedule with a hard-fought 63-60 win over visiting Wake Forest (5-4, 0-1). Wake Forest had an edge in several categories, namely shooting percentage and rebounding, but ultimately lost the game by turning the ball over too many times and by failing to get to the foul line as often as the Hokies.

Continue Reading >

The View From My Seat

Virginia Tech vs. George Washington, BB&T Classic, December 3, 2006.

Continue Reading >

George Washington 63, Virginia Tech 62: A Replay of Thanksgiving?

By Michael

TRR was present at the 12th Annual BB&T Classic at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. My suggestion to the Hokies is to quit scheduling opponents in events with “Classic” as part of the title. Like the game versus Western Michigan as part of the Old Spice Classic, Virginia Tech (4-3) fell to the Colonials of George Washington (5-1) by the score of 63-62 in a game they easily could have—and should have—won.

Continue Reading >

Western Michigan Gobbles Up the Hokies 71-68

By Michael

TRR can’t resist making a bad joke about the Hokies playing on Thanksgiving since the opportunity only comes once a year. Bad puns aside, Virginia Tech (2-1) will look back on this game as one that got away while Western Michigan (2-2) will see this as another example of a mid-major smacking the big guys around. In the end, they’re probably both right.

Continue Reading >

ACC Lands Four in AP Preseason Top 25.

The Associated Press Top 25 basketball poll for week 1 of the upcoming college basketball season contains four ACC schools. North Carolina is ranked second, behind the Florida Gators who received 63 first place votes and one spot ahead of the Kansas Jayhawks. The Tar Heels received 9 first place votes while Kansas did not receive any.

Continue Reading >

TRR’s Projected Order of Finish in the ACC.

1. NORTH CAROLINA. Roy Williams and company simply have too much firepower. The key will be getting the youth up to speed. Ellington, Wright, and Lawson surrounding ACC MVP Hansbrough will be too much for opponents to handle.

Postseason destination: NCAA final four or better.

Continue Reading >

Pre-Season Preview: Virginia Tech: Things Can Only Get Better.

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Division: Coastal
2005-2006 Results: 14-16 Overall, 4-12 Conference
Head Coach: Seth Greenberg
Record at Virginia Tech: 45-44 (.506), 3 seasons
Record Overall: 258-214 (.547), 15 seasons

Continue Reading >