Virginia Tech Basketball: 3 biggest takeaways from upset win over Villanova
The little things are clicking
The Virginia Tech Hokies look like a completely different team from a season ago, but they’re adjusting well with a solid presence in the post and balance and depth on the bench.
Virginia Tech isn’t the biggest team, but they’re playing for each other and it’s showing so far. They outscored the Wildcats 32-22 in the paint and outrebounded them 40-31 as well. All this comes after a game where they were largely dominated on the interior by the Radford Highlanders in a victory.
The Hokies also got 25 bench points in the victory, with 20 points coming from sophomore Nahiem Alleyne, who went 7-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
Hunter Cattoor played just 13 minutes in the game, despite appearing in the starting rotation, but he’s due to contribute as the season progresses as well. He still had five points and a rebound against Villanova.
Cordell Pemsl and Joe Bamisile appeared in limited minutes of action as well, but look for them to carve out a role in this rotation as well. Pemsl battles on the boards and defends the post well. Bamisile is finding his way as a slasher and 3-point threat.
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Not to mention, sophomore guard Jalen Cone returns to the rotation on Saturday night against South Florida as well.