Tech Makes Statement In Blowout Win Over G.W.

For the third time this season, the Hokies held their opponent to its lowest point total of the year. This time the victim was George Washington—a team that had beaten the Hokies in their last two encounters, including a 1-point victory last year in the BB&T Classic.

The Colonials’ 36 points is the lowest they have scored in at least 10 years and certainly under 2006 Naismith Coaching Award finalist Karl Hobbs. They finished 14-54 from the floor—just under 26 percent.

“I’m really proud of our guys, I thought we had tremendous defensive focus and intensity,” said Tech coach Seth Greenberg, “ The unsung hero of this game is Cheick Diakite…I thought he was terrific defensively…he rebounded the ball and he contested Diggs who is a terrific player.”

And that he did. Diakite held Rob Diggs; the Colonials’ leading scorer and rebounder at 14 and eight per game respectively, to just four rebounds and “the big donut” as far as points are concerned. Virginia Tech’s “Big Donut”, Jeff Allen, recorded his fourth double-double of the season—finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

After an enormous block with 9:38 left to play, Diakite went down to what many thought was a knee injury when he finally got up to hobble off the court. Coach Greenberg confirmed after the game it was merely a cramp.

In addition to a great defensive effort, the team’s two upperclassman leaders took charge offensively from the tip-off. Deron Washington and A.D. Vassallo accounted for 17 of Tech’s first 21 points. Washington finished with a season high 17 points and Vassallo finished with 18.

Washington also showed the crowd something new--as far as his in-game dunks are concerned. In the 2nd half to put his team up 45-22 with fifteen minutes left to play, Washington sent the crowd into an absolute frenzy.

“ I just made sure no one was around me so I went up and did a windmill. That might make the top three in my best dunks since it my first windmill ever in a game,” smiled Washington.

With CAA power Old Dominion coming up next weekend and the start of the ACC season around the corner with Wake Forest on Dec. 23, Greenberg likes the step forward but knows there is a long way to go.

“ I know we’ve only played eight games… and they’re only going to get tougher. ODU is a terrific team and the people we play after that are great teams…if we think this is as good as we get then we’re not very good.”

Greenberg also explained that he thought things would get a little easier once his slew of freshman are done with the first round of final exams—indicating that most of them were headed to study hall immediately following the game. In addition, the Hokies may get some unexpected aid as one of their most prized recruits, Dorenzo Hudson, has finally been admitted into the university and onto the team. Hudson will join the team for practice on Friday and will be allowed to play in the game against ODU next Sunday.

“ I’m excited that he’s a part of our program. I’m very proud how hard he’s worked toward doing the right things academically. He’s got to get in shape and then he’ll give us another option.”

When asked if he would play right away, Greenberg wasn’t completely sure.

“I don’t know if he’ll play on Sunday, I know he has a high basketball IQ but it’s not like we’re the trickiest team on the block anyway…in fact some of the stuff we’re running he ran at Hargrave.”

Hudson is the cousin of freshman J.T. Thompson and the former teammate of Tech’s leading freshman Jeff Allen.

“ I feel good to play with one of my old teammates,” remarked Allen, “He’ll bring defense and scoring but I think it’ll take a while for him to just learn all the plays, hopefully he’ll get it down and know enough to play.”

The Hokies now improve to 5-3 on the season with their next game on the road at Old Dominion on Sunday.

Game Leaders

Scoring: VT- Vassallo 18, GW- Moore 13

Rebounds: VT-Allen 10, GW- Witherspoon 6

Assists: VT- Thorns 4, GW-Witherspoon 3
Steals: VT- Allen 3, GW- Moore Beatty Hollis Rice and Witherspoon 1
Blocks: VT- Diakite 2,GW- Opoku 2