Tech Makes Second Statement Win, Advances to NIT Quarterfinal

Deron Washington has a slam dunk early in the first half against UAB.
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL WENTZ

The Hokies showed why they were one of the best defensive teams in the ACC and continued to roll Monday night with their 75-49 victory over UAB.

Tech held the Blazers to just 36 percent shooting from the floor, including 3-18 from beyond the arc.

Senior Deron Washington completed his task of shutting down All-American candidate guard Robert Vaden. Vaden is second in the nation in three pointers made but had just nine points—going 1-12 from downtown.

Vaden’s nine points is the second-fewest he has scored in any game this season.

“I take a lot of pride in it because that’s my focus every game, to play great defense,” Washington said. “It was a great effort by everyone to slow him down.”

Coach Seth Greenberg thought it was fortunate to have played Miami guard Jack McClinton twice already this season.

Greenberg implemented the same defensive plan on Vaden as he did on McClinton in the ACC tournament—McClinton shot 4-17 in that game.

Although the Tech defense may be the story of the game, the offense took no back seat coming out of the gates.

After Washington drew a charge on Vaden in the first possession, he led the offensive charge as the Hokies went 6-7 from the field in the first 4:50.

The crowd went into a frenzy as Washington rained in a three, A.D. Vassallo added a three, Jeff Allen scored a double-pump bank shot, and Malcolm Delaney topped it off by converting an and-one three pointer for the four point play.

“That crowd was absolutely unbelievable. That’s as good of an atmosphere as I’ve ever been involved with. I can’t imagine a place with greater energy and greater purpose,” Greenberg said.

Delaney continued his hot shooting streak since his break out game against Miami in the ACC tournament. Since that game, Delaney is shooting nearly 68 percent from the floor.

Greenberg compared Delaney missing a shot to Tiger Woods missing a putt.

“We’re really confident right now,” Delaney said. “A lot of people are seeing big baskets and we’re not hesitant to shoot. People got hot at different times of the game, it’s not going to be just one person.”

The Hokies will host a quarterfinal matchup against Ole Miss Wednesday night, who took out Nebraska in overtime. A win would send the Hokies to Madison Square Garden for the NIT final four.

Greenberg likes how his team is playing, especially at home. However, Greenberg made it clear that there is “no magic in Cassell”—although it’s a very special place.

“Passion and ownership,” Greenberg said. “That’s the potential of Virginia Tech. The thing that makes Virginia Tech special to me to the tremendous ownership that the students, alums, and the community have in the university. I really do feel like we have a relationship with the students and the community. I really do appreciate it, it’s not that way everywhere.”