Hokie Hoops Central: Jacksonville (2-2) at Virginia Tech (3-1) 7pm ESPN+/ACCNX

Jacksonville (2-2)
at
Virginia Tech (3-1)
7pm
Cassell Colisuem
ESPN+/ACCNX

TV | ACCNX
Evan Hughes, PxP
Mack McCarthy, Analyst

RADIO | VT Sports Network
Zach Mackey, PxP
Mike Burnop, Analyst

LIVE STATS
ESPN.com and ESPN app stats.hokiesports.com

A Lull that may have Teeth

The Hokies are coming off a tough loss to Penn State but hopefully don't take Jacksonville lightly in the midst of exams and before a date with Michigan.

The Hokies nearly doubled their season turnover total against Penn State with 24 turnovers in the game. You can't expect to win many games when you give away a third of your possessions.

The team is still fun to watch but are not getting consistent scoring from the starting trio of guards. The three are averaging only 28.6 points combined.

Jacksonville comes in 2-2 with wins over South Carolina State and Trinity Baptist. Their losses are to Furman and #21 Florida.

Florida beat them by 21 and Vegas expects the Hokies to win by 14. The Dolphins are led by their starting guard duo of McCray and Bell, putting up 28.8 ppg.

Forwards Nwokeji and Munson appear to be splitting the starting role so not sure which we will see. Senior Guard Jakari Spence and Freshman Chris Arias also appear to be sharing starts.

This team does not shoot the three well at all. The leader in that area is Nwokeji at 35% on 3.5 attempts per game. The rest of the team is below 30% on the season. McCray and Bell are looking to drive to the rim every time they touch the ball. The Hokies have not dealt with this kind of drive to the basket ability yet this season which is the only reason I am concerned on how prepared the Hokies are mentally for this game.

Defensively the Dolphins employ a man-to-man defense that requires players to communicate effectively and switch when needed. There is a strong focus on getting defensive rebounds by keeping three players near the basket at all time.

One key piece missing for the Dolphins is Grad Guard Marcus Niblack. He has a weird history. He played at East Tennessee as a Freshman but did not play again until last season as a Senior at Jacksonville where he averaged double-digit scoring. I can't find a reason for his not playing so far this season as he was expected to start.

The Hokies should have a sizable advantage in the paint in this game but will need to be careful with fouls considering how much penetration the Dolphins attempt. This should be an easy W if the Hokies are mentally focused.

Hokies Starters
Mylyjael Poteat
34 SR F 6-9 260
13.3 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 2.5 Ast

Toibu Lawal
1 JR F 6-8 200
12.8 Pts, 8.8 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Jaden Schutt
2 SO G 6-5 185
11.0 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 2.3 Ast

Brandon Rechsteiner
7 SO G 6-1 185
8.8 Pts, 1.0 Reb, 3.5 Ast

Jaydon Young
3 SO G 6-4 205
8.8 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 2.5 Ast

Key Bench Players
Tyler Johnson
10 FR G 6-5 215
8.0 Pts, 6.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Ben Hammond
11 FR G 5-11 170
3.5 Pts, 0.8 Reb, 1.5 Ast

Ben Burnham
13 SR F 6-7 200
3.3 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Patrick Wessler
5 SO C 7-0 245
3.3 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 0.0 Ast

Dolphins Starting Five
Robert McCray
13 JR G 6-4 185
16.0 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 4.3 Ast

Zach Bell
5 JR G 6-2 180
12.8 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 0.8 Ast

Stephon Payne
0 JR F 6-9 210
7.8 Pts, 8.0 Reb, 0.3 Ast

Jakari Spence
8 SR G 6-0 170
2.7 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 2.0 Ast

Zimi Nwokeji
16 SR F 6-7 220
7.5 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Key Bench Players
Chris Arias
1 FR G 6-6 205
5.3 Pts, 2.8 Reb, 0.8 Ast

Kendall Munson
9 SR F 6-8 210
6.0 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 0.3 Ast

Enrico Borio
23 FR F 6-5 225
4.3 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 0.7 Ast

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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~This post has been or will be edited for clarity. This is a write drunk, edit sober kind of account.~

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~This post has been or will be edited for clarity. This is a write drunk, edit sober kind of account.~

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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Never Forget #1 Overall Seed UVA 54, #64 UMBC 74

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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I seldom speak to loluva grads, but when I do, I tell them I want large fries.

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My wife takes the kids and leaves the house while I watch my Hokie games.........nuff said

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I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

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Wet stuff on the red stuff.

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Another white bronco? The first one didn't go too far.

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From the 2018 VT-uva game-"This is when LEGENDS are made!"

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"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

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From the 2018 VT-uva game-"This is when LEGENDS are made!"

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"Runs up the hill! Into the Tech student section! Here in Charlottesville!"

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

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"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

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Wet stuff on the red stuff.

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uva - the taint of the ACC
Callused perineum is a symptom of being a uva fan

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21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
MV7, MV5, LT3, Kyron Drones, Grant Wells, Braxton Burmeister, Ryan Willis, Josh Jackson, Jerod Evans, Michael Brewer, Tyrod Taylor, Sean Glennon, and Grant Noel. That's right, UVA. You couldn't beat Grant Noel.

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Five star get after it 100 percent Juice Key-Playing. MAN

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Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

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Doesn't matter if it's cake or pie as long as it's chocolate.

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Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!

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Wet stuff on the red stuff.

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