Seth Greenberg’s team seems to find itself on the bubble every year and it appears they’ll be in a similar position a few months from now.
Seth Greenberg’s team seems to find itself on the bubble every year and it appears they’ll be in a similar position a few months from now. After a tourney snub last year, the Hokies lost to a very good Wichita State team in the second round of the NIT. While they lost a lot of talent to graduation this summer, Virginia Tech has enough talent now to be decent, including players who missed time in 2010-11 and a strong freshman class. They were picked to finish sixth in the ACC before this season began.
Virginia Tech isn’t especially good at anything and lacks a star player, but they’re also not terrible in any areas. Most importantly, VT has been able to limit the field goal shooting of its opponents, which is key for any team in college basketball. Last season, opponents had an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 47.4% (as a comparison, Minnesota’s offensive eFG% last season was 49.9%) and so far this year, Hokie foes are shooting a horrendous 39.5 eFG% (36.3% overall FG and 22.4% 3FG).
If Minnesota can’t shoot the ball well, forget about it. Fortunately and as fully expected, junior combo guard Julian Welch has shown he can be a key contributor this season. He averaged 13.3 ppg in three Old Spice Classic games and his current 28.6% 3FG will rise as the year proceeds. In addition, freshman Andre Hollins will continue to have a season of ups and downs but showed he can get his stroke going from deep when he nailed 4/5 3FG against a very good defense in Indiana St.
The Gophers also need to apply more ball pressure. Tubby talked about playing pressure defense, forcing turnovers and transition offense when previewing the season, but I didn’t buy it. Now, he may be forced into it. Defensively, the length and versatility of Rodney Williams and Austin Hollins, the skills of Julian Welch and quickness of Andre Hollins gives Minnesota the look of a team who should be able to turn the opponent over and convert takeaways into quick points.
Don’t write the season off yet. People love to get down on Ralph Sampson, but he’s a very good player and capable of pushing this team to a couple of wins in toss-up games. After Virginia Tech, the five final nonconference contests are against squads that Minnesota’s bench could beat. There are many story lines yet to be written in this 2011-12 season and for a team that went through a pathetic collapse last year, I believe they’ll show a lot more fight from now and into March.
Trevor Mbakwe is obviously out. Shortly after Sunday night’s ballgame, this GopherHole article discussed the possibility of his return in 2012-13. You’ll hear all sorts of things from others, but as I said then it’s not simply a question of a medical hardship waiver (called a “medical redshirt” by many people). The real issue is the Five-Year Rule and based on Mbakwe’s situation the chance of him getting another year of eligibility appears remote.
Other injuries continue to hamper Minnesota and could be significant to tonight’s game. Ralph Sampson toughed it out in Orlando, but that ankle is nowhere near OK. With the soft schedule coming up through Christmas, it may be wise to sit him for awhile and get his wheel healed. Then again, I think Sampson will want to get on the court to help lead tonight, but if he plays the minutes may be limited as they were in Orlando.
On Sunday night, I watched Austin Hollins on the bench after he hurt his knee and was fairly concerned. Thankfully, the injury has been diagnosed as only a bone bruise and he will likely be ready to play tonight, but don’t be surprised if it affects him on the court.
#11 Erick Green
6’3″, 185 lbs JR
Green is a combo guard that will take the ball up the court for VT. Last season he averaged 11.6 ppg, 2.7 apg and 2.3 rpg in 30.9 mpg. Though Green shot just 24.8% 3FG as a sophomore (26/105), he’s a lot better than that and is comfortable out to 25 feet. Can catch and quickly pop the trey—Minnesota must respect his range. He missed the season opener with an achilles strain, but has reached double figures every night since then and comes into this one sporting a 14.8 ppg average.
The junior is a good defender and often comes up with steals. A key player for the Hokies.
#5 Dorenzo Hudson
6’5″, 220 lbs SR
Injured after only 9 games last season, but in 2009-10 Hudson averaged 15.2 ppg and comes into Wednesday’s game at 14.3 ppg. Not a good long-range shooter (28.5% career 3FG), but can get the mid-range game going and has the size to get to the bucket and draw fouls.
#31 Jerrell Eddie
6’7″, 218 lbs SO
Eddie has good size and the skills that make him a switchable who can defend multiple positions and score inside or out. He played less than 11 mpg as a freshman before being suspended from the team and the school last spring (marijuana-related legal matter), but has started all six contests this season and is averaging 8.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg. Nice looking young player that can also block shots.
#15 Dorian Finney-Smith
6’8″, 192 lbs FR
Highly regarded recruit (#22 RSCI) who has a lot of upside. Dorian can score outside or in, presenting a tough matchup for defenders as he can hit from beyond the arc while also possessing good handles for his size. He’s slim and lacks strength, but is very long and active on the boards, including the offensive boards where the Gophers will struggle to keep him at bay. So far this year he’s playing more than 32 mpg and averaging 8.0 ppg and pulling down 10.3 rebounds. You’ll be watching a future star. Plays like a freshman at times, but he’s already an impact player who will continue to improve.
#14 Victor Davila
6’8″, 245 lbs SR
Experienced post player who can block shots. Davila averaged 7.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg in 31.5 mpg as a junior and while he doesn’t look to shoot the ball, he makes shots when he takes him. His game is around the basket and Davila often finds himself on the charity stripe, however he’s a pathetic free throw shooter who has converted less than 50% of his 232 attempts during his career.
#1 Robert Brown
6’5″, 190 lbs FR
Another piece of a fine 2011 recruiting class (RSCI #86), Brown is a big shooting guard who adds energy and scoring ability off the bench. In 22.0 mpg he’s averaging 8.2 ppg with most of those points coming off three-pointers. Brown will also put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop, often drawing contact.
C.J. Barksdale is a 6’8″, 232 pound freshman (#100 RSCI) who will probably see a few minutes. His contribution this year will mainly be on the defensive end of the floor. Sophomore Tyrone Garland is a 6’1″ reserve guard who loves to shoot. He’s often a non-factor, but is capable of putting up points quickly if he’s on. Cadarian Raines is a sophomore forward, who at 6’8″, 238 points is a mean shot blocker that would have been more useful to VT if Mbakwe was playing. Talented freshman point guard Marquis Rankin had knee-cleaning surgery in early October and has been practicing with the team, but has not yet played in a game.
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Other Notes & Comments
- If you’re curious as to what type of players come out of Hargrave Military Academy, where 2012 Gopher-commit Charles Buggs is playing this year, the Hokies can give you some answers. On the current roster, Hudson, Brown, Barksdale and Rankin all played there. Buggs’ teammate Montrezl Harrell will join the program next year.
- This will be the first meeting between Minnesota and Virginia Tech. Tubby Smith has beaten VT twice, both times with Georgia. Those Hokie team had a likeable player by the name of Ace Custis, who broke the hearts of many Marquette Warrior fans in the 1994-95 NIT championship game. The following two seasons, Custis and the Hokies would lose to Tubby’s Bulldogs.
- This game is a part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. If you haven’t already, check out the GopherHole article The Road to Selection Sunday: Day 2 of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for more on each of the games being played today.
- Virginia Tech is yet another team that has had to deal with many injuries and off-court issues. For example and as mentioned above, Dorenzo Hudson was injured early last year and missed the remainder of the 2010-11 season. Freshman Jerrell Eddie was not only booted from the team, he was temporarily banished from the school and unable to complete spring classes shortly after a marijuana-related arrest this past spring. Point guard Marquis Rankin continues to rehab after knee surgery about eight weeks ago.
- Then, there’s senior JT Thompson. The forward missed last season following surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He worked hard and was back on the court this fall, but tore the ACL in the other knee during practice early this month. Unlike Mbakwe, JT’s situation means a sixth year of eligibility is almost a given should he and the school want it.
- The latest defection at Oregon is point guard Bruce Barron. He played at Brehm Prep with current Gopher Oto Osenieks and at one time had the interest of Minnesota.
J.B. Bauer
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: JBBauer612