HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: DELAWARE STATE (1-0) VS VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (0-0) 9PM ACCNE

HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: DELAWARE STATE (1-0) VS VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (0-0) 9PM ACCNE

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Nov 7th 2022 900 PM
Opponent: Delaware State
Site: Cassell Coliseum

TV Broadcast
ACC Network Extra
Play-by-Play: Evan Hughes
Analyst: Mack McCarthy

Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop

Spectracide start.....

The Hokies come into the 2022 season without a key player in the lineup but that should hardly matter. The Hokies are 2-0 against Delaware State going into their 3rd meeting. They are currently 40th in AP based on other votes and 35th in the Coaches Poll.

The Hornets are coached by Stan Waterman, who began his college coaching career at Wilmington as an assistant coach nearly 30 years ago before being a highly successful high school coach for 30 years. Delaware State is his first college head coaching job. He is in his second season after finishing 2021 with a 2-25 overall record guiding the Hornets. Last season the Hornets suffered 15 double digit losses primarily because they could not defend the perimeter.

The Hornets are 1-0 to start the season after an opening win over Gwynedd Mercy 77-39. In the opener it was Senior Guard O'Koye Parker leading the way with 13 points, joined by Khyrie Staten, Martaz Robinson and Brandon Stone in double figures

The Hornets come into this season with three new Freshman a graduate transfer and several other transfers. Kareem Ewell was a second team All Delaware Forward. Kyle Johnson is a graduate transfer forward from Cal State Monterey Bay. Aaron Lemon-Warren was the 5A Player of the Year in Pennsylvania as a guard and put up 5 points, 7 rebounds and an assist in his debut.

Defensively, they play a high pressure, high risk man-to-man defense, varying their levels of pressure depending on personnel and their opponent, in terms or how hard they guard, how far they extend the court. This is a really small sample size though with the change of personnel and level of opponent. The team very likely will be forced into a much different approach against the Hokies tonight. The roster does have size so wont be knocked around physically by the Hokies necessarily

Offensively, Coach Waterman so far has his team focused on outside shooting. The Hornets shot 26 of 57 shots from outside but only managed to connect on 31%. They shot 54% from the line on 24 attempts.

Hornets Backcourt
O'Koye Parker (#25, SR, G, 6-3, 194 lbs) 13 Pts, 4 Reb, 1 Ast.
Khyrie Staten (#11, SR, G, 6-1, 180 lbs) 12 Pts, 2 Reb, 4 Ast.
Martaz Robinson (#3, JR, G, 6-2, 185 lbs) 10 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Ast
Jevinn Muniz (#5, FR, G, 6-6, 192 lbs) 8 Pts, 2 Reb, 1 Ast
Aaron Lemon-Warren (#15, FR, G, 6-5, 187 lbs) 5 Pts, 7 Reb, 1 Ast

Hornets Frontcourt
Brandon Stone (#23, SR, F, 6-11, 222 lbs) 10 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Blk
Kyle Johnson (#10, SR, F, 6-8, 215 lbs) 4 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Blk
Cameron Stitt (#20, SO, F, 6-8, 201 lbs) 0 Pts, 5 Reb

What to expect from Delaware State?
As a team the Hornets are shooting an extremely low percentage despite winning by nearly 40 points. 31% from the perimeter on 26 attempts per game. Shot less than 50% from inside the perimeter.

Delaware State played most of their roster in the first game with 10 players getting 15 or more minutes. The roster runs to the larger side for such a small school. There will likely be three players on the floor 6'8 or taller for most of the game.

Delaware State must hope to create points off turnovers and are able to avoid significant foul trouble. They committed 16 fouls in the first game but forced 12 steals in the first game.

The Hokies
The Hokies will be able to shoot from outside almost at will but may use this contest as a developmental opportunity inside with Justyn Mutts suspended this first game. There is a good chance the Hokies will have at least 6 players finish n double digit scoring tonight.

The Hokies rotation with Mutts out will likely see John Camden and Lynn Kidd splitting starting time down low. We may get our first look at Rice transfer Mylyjael Poteat. We may also see some of Wright State transfer Grant Basile.

The guard rotation likely is Pedulla, Cattoor, Maddox and possibly a few freshman minutes. Rodney Rice is out with an ankle injury for now.

The Hokies need to ensure they have crisp passes, especially near the top of the key. Avoiding turnover transition baskets will cement the result of this contest pretty early.

This is the kind of game where the Hokies should be able to get everyone they want to some meaningful minutes.

Highlight of the Preseason
Coach Poppin

You know we had to 🍿🍿🍿Send us your elite costume pics ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/77myQ8wHve— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) October 31, 2022

In Closing
The Hokies work the ball inside, win the rebounding battle and outscore the Hornets inside. The Hokies will hit some daggers from the perimeter. They should be able to add 20+ points at the free throw line.

There will be at least six Hokies in double figures. Cattoor gets in a groove and teases 30 points before they sit him.

Hokies push the pace and run away from the Hornets. Hokies don't have a lapse to start the season with Mutts out and win 79-48.