Hokies Sweep ‘Hoos, ‘Just Like Football’ (Video Inluded)

“Just like football” rang out over and over as the Hokies completed the basketball sweep of the Wahoos and secured their third place standing in the ACC.

While the overtime game in Charlottesville last month came down to an at-the-buzzer layup by Washington, the Hokies ran the fast break and distanced themselves early in this extra period to win 72-65.

However, the seven-point victory doesn’t at all reflect the rest of the game up until that point. The Hokies trailed for much of the game as UVA’s defense held them to 33 percent shooting for the first half and just 39 percent for the game.

When Tech’s primary perimeter threat A.D. Vassallo got into foul trouble early, it allowed UVA to switch their game plan defensively to a 2-3 zone. The zone cut the flow of Tech’s offense and drove them down to several forced misses in attempt to beat the shot clock from running out.

“It was tough because we didn’t have our shooter. They only ran it when A.D. was out of the game so that kind of hurt us because we had no shooters and I wasn’t hitting down any shots. It made us tough for us to get any offense going in the first half,” Washington said.

Vassallo contributed 14 minutes in the second half compared to only eight minutes in the first. The junior guard from Puerto Rico knocked down a three-pointer with 1:35 left in the game to give Tech a 52-50 lead. It was the Hokies first lead in over 15 minutes.

“I was definitely upset that I got in foul trouble the first half and had to go back to the bench. I just tried to make an effort {in the second half} that every time I had a shot I’d take it and take the advantage and knock it down,” Vassallo said.

When UVA answered on a Mamadi Diane layup on the next play, it was the upperclassmen duo that came up with a big response of its own.

Vassallo missed a shot to take the lead with 14 seconds left but it was Washington who, as usual, appeared in the air to slam back the ball in off the rim.

“When I got the rebound I pushed it up and saw A.D. had the one on one situation with Diane. I went up and jumped just incase he was going to miss it. I thought he was going to make it but it came off at the right time and I ended up getting the put-back,” Washington said.

The Hokies could have ended the game at the buzzer in regulation when a Hank Thorns missed shot provided tip in opportunities for fellow freshman J.T. Thompson and Malcolm Delaney. Both tip-ins fell an inch short off the rim.

Thorns said they were laughing heading into overtime because they “should have been home already.” He said they laughed it off, determined to get the overtime victory.

“We are a confident team. If we don’t have a smile on our face…that means something is wrong. When we keep that smile on our face, we go out and play great. Before the game we laugh, but then we’re serious to get the victory,” said Thorns.

Coach Seth Greenberg found humor in another close game and overtime win.

“When J.T. missed his thing at the end…usually I kind of give them a little joke or something going into overtime to lighten them up. I think Hank was the one, he came in and said ‘I love overtime’ or ‘we’re good at overtime’ whatever he said. You could see it in their eyes, they weren’t afraid and they were excited to play the extra five minutes,” said Greenberg.

When asked about the style of this year’s team, Greenberg continued.

“Let’s face it. We’re not aesthetically attractive here. We’re like…Ugly Betty in a lot of ways. We find a way to get it done. We are a grind it out…fight, scratch, claw…kick it out of bounds a couple times teams. But…they’re not afraid and they play hard, I mean hard.”

One can’t write a UVA-Virginia Tech recap without mentioning Sean Singletary. The senior All-American--who withdrew from the NBA draft last spring--recorded an ACC career high 34 points against the Hokies in January, logged 26 points for the Cavaliers.

Playing with a hip pointer injury, both coaches regarded Singletary in the highest of manners.

“I love that kid. I’ve got about two or three favorite players in the league that I really admire. Singletary is one of those guys. I admire his heart and passion for the game. Competing against him…I have an unbelievable amount of respect for him,” Greenberg said.

“I just wanted to keep him under 30 so I wouldn’t get another e-mail from Jamon Gordon.”

UVA coach Dave Leitao was noticeably frustrated after the game—his team now 1-6 and in dead last in a close ACC race.

“It has nothing to do with Sean. Let’s not talk about Sean. He’s got a hip pointer. He’s a warrior. I don’t know on God’s green earth that I’ve ever met another warrior like him…most people wouldn’t be out there,” Leitao said.

With the win the Hokies move to 5-3 in the league and secure 3rd place in the ACC--one game ahead of 4-3 Maryland, who they beat at home but have a rematch with in College Park on February 20th.

Tech heads to Raleigh on Tuesday to try and grab another key ACC road win against the N.C. State Wolfpack (2-4 in-conference). The Hokies then return home next Saturday to host Miami.