Ole Miss Halts Tech’s NIT Run (Video Included)

Virginia Tech's J.T. Thompson has his shot partially blocked Mississippi's Eniel Polynice.
STAFF PHOTO BY ABBEY HOEKZEMA

When the Hokies ran out to a 12-3 start in the first 3:02 of the game, the fans were rocking Cassell Coliseum as it looked like it could be another comfortable win for the home team.

The Ole Miss Rebels had something else in mind.

The Rebels advanced to the NIT semifinal in Madison Square Garden next week by defeating the Hokies 81-72.

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy knew how important it was for his team to claw back into the game after the initial Tech run. Kennedy made his players watch the first eight minutes of Tech’s victory over UAB on Monday, stressing that his team must overcome the emotion in the building.

“We showed them the emotion of the crowd and how [Tech] came out and attacked,” Kennedy said. “I’ll tell you something, we play in a lot of venues and I’ve been doing this a while and that was as good as it gets.”

The Rebels countered with an 18-5 run over the next 10 minutes. Tech answered with a run of its own to settle the halftime score 31-33.

Tech was only able to tie the score once in the second half. When the Hokies went down by 11 points with 8:24 left to play, it was their largest deficit since their infamous 39-point loss at North Carolina on Feb. 16.

The Hokies saw its late season rebounding success evaporate as the Rebels dominated the glass 46-23. Forward Kenny Williams and center Dwayne Curtis each had 11 rebounds, just one shy of Tech’s team total.

“It was tough. Those guys were really big but they pretty much out-toughed us the whole game,” senior Deron Washington said. “We weren’t hustling as hard and it seemed like they wanted it more.”

The Hokies’ hot shooting went cold as well. Leading scorer A.D. Vassallo went 6-21 from the floor and the team shot 9-28 from beyond the arc.

“We had some good looks at the zone and some chances to get back in the game, but we just couldn’t get over the hump. You’ve got to give them credit,” Tech coach Seth Greenberg said.

Despite the disappointing loss, Washington had a senior night curtain call as he topped his season high from the actual senior night game against Wake Forest. Washington went 6-11 from the field and 9-10 from the free throw line to finish with 23 points.

“It’s pretty tough knowing my career here is over. It was a fun journey. The crowd was supporting me and I had my mom here. Its been a fun ride…I’m going to miss it,” Washington said.

Greenberg said he was disappointed in the way his team played and the outcome of the game. He said the loss will stick with him for a while, but he was also able to reflect on some of the successes from this season.

“I am very proud about what we were able to accomplish this season,” Greenberg said. “ 21 wins, get a bye in the ACC tournament, getting to the semi-finals, and winning two games in the post season…those are all tremendous accomplishments for such a young team.”

Greenberg also said he was pleased with the development of his young players. He wants for his team, as well as himself, to get away from basketball until next week.

Greenberg hopes it will help everyone realize how special this season was.

Video by Neal Turnage