Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
Virginia Tech’s offense has been sputtering as of late. Can a game against the worst team in the league, Pittsburgh, get them back on track?
Time: Saturday, Jan. 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
TV Schedule: ACC Network
Arena: Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, VA.
The offense for Virginia Tech 11-4 (0-2) started out as one of the best in the country, averaging over 95 ppg. But in the last four games, the Hokies have only averaged 61.2 ppg, including failing to reach 60 points in their first two conference games.
In fairness to Buzz Williams and his team, the first two games came against a Syracuse team that can cause issues with its 2-3 zone, then arguably the top defense in the country in Virginia.
The problem has been the first half scoring, 44 points combined in the first two games, that’s put the Hokies behind the eight ball immediately. The team scored just 25 points in the first 20 minutes in their 78-52 loss to Virginia on Wednesday.
Kerry Blackshear led the team in scoring with 14 points with Justin Robinson chipping in 12. But there was little help, with fellow starters Justin Bibbs and Ahmed Hill combining for eight points on 3-for-14 shooting.
On the debut of the Busting Bracket’s 2017-18 Bracketology, Virginia Tech was on the outside looking in due to a lack of good wins. That was before the blowout loss to the Cavaliers. While a win this weekend won’t tip the scales, a loss could seal the Hokies’ fate to the NIT.
That’s because their opponent, the Pittsburgh Panthers 8-7 (0-2), is the worst team in the ACC, as well as the worst power conference team in scoring at 67.5 ppg. Making matters worse for the Panthers, Ryan Luther, the team’s best player continues to be out with a foot injury suffered nearly a month ago.
Pitt was blown out in the team’s first two games, including by 26 to Louisville on Tuesday night. The headline of the game happened late, with head coach Kevin Stallings making a comment in the stands about the Cardinals paying players to play for them. Considering the amount of losing this team is likely to do, it might be the closest thing to a highlight Pitt fans will have.
Next: Stallings mental toughness in question after latest loss
Both teams have yet to win a league game, but it would be a massive upset if the Panthers win the game on the road in Blacksburg. But if the Hokies continue their first-half struggles, this might be a close game in the final 10 minutes.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 74 – Pittsburgh 61