Hokie Hoops Central: Virginia Tech (3-3) vs South Carolina (3-3) 6pm FS1

Fort Myers Finale 🫡🆚 South Carolina📺 FS1🕕 6PM ET🔗 https://t.co/Ypqs6c7UWE pic.twitter.com/p2VQpZ8lMt— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 27, 2024

Virginia Tech (3-3)
vs South Carolina (3-3)
6pm FS1
Fort Myers Tipoff

TV | FS1
Jeff Levering, PxP
Donny Marshall, Analyst

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

VIDEO STREAM
FoxSports.com

LIVE STATS
stats.hokiesports.com

Can the Hokies turn over a new leaf?

The Hokies have lost a third consecutive game to Michigan to fall to 3-3. The biggest factor in all three losses were turnovers and poor shooting.

They have turned the ball over 59 times in those games and shot an abysmal 39% from the floor and only 28% from the perimeter.

The 59 turnovers represent just over 25% of all possessions. Combined with the missed shots, the Hokies have failed to score on 75% of their possessions.

Let that sink in. Three out of four possessions ended without points. You are going to win very few games when you play that way.

I don't really have an answer for the turnovers beyond the obvious. Make better passes, play in control of your body and best of all, actually get a shot off during the shot clock. You score zero of the shots you don't take. If only we could get more of this.

Running the break 🤌📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/2DmGYFFmRM— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 25, 2024

On to South Carolina. They also come in 3-3 with their own version of a Jacksonville loss. The Gamecocks lost 74-71 to University of North Florida. UNF owns two P4 wins this season though, also having beat Georgia Tech 105-93.

The other two losses were to ranked opponents including a 75-66 loss to #22 Xavier in the first round of the Fort Myers Tipoff.

Their roster though is very experienced with four seniors in the starting lineup, joined by leading scorer Sophomore Forward Collin Murray-Boyles.

After Murray-Boyles, it's a trio of guards putting up the points for the Gamecocks. Jamarii Thomas and Jacobi Wright as starters and Zachary Davis as the 6th Man. The starting five is rounded out by forwards Nick Pringle and Myles Stute.

Size wise the Hokies should have an advantage even with three Forwards on the floor for South Carolina. They top out at 6'9 which means Lawal and Poteat should matchup well. Murray-Boyles is a big body though so expect some banging underneath.

Offensively the Gamecocks will focus on a balanced offensive strategy that combines effective perimeter shooting and quick ball movement. They often utilize screen plays to create open shots, allowing guards and forwards to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Stute and Wright take the majority of perimeter shots. Murray-Boyles in the paint is shooting 65% so walling him off from the basket will be a big focus.

Defensively, the Gamecocks are known for their aggressive man-to-man coverage and adaptable zone defense, mainly a 1-3-1. They put significant pressure on the ball handler, striving to create turnovers that can lead to easy scoring chances.

Their defense often revolves around maintaining solid communication and switching effectively to cover driving lanes. This strategy is designed to limit opponents' shooting percentages. Opponents are shooting 45% from floor and only 32% from the perimeter. Turnovers forced are around 11 per game which is down significantly from last season.

Really tough to predict how this one goes. Gamecocks haven't been good. Hokies have been terrible. Until otherwise proven different I unfortunately expect a double-digit loss.

There will be a reunion of high school teammates tonight as Poteat and Jamarii Thomas played together at The Burlington School. Jacobi Wright and Ben Burnham are both from Fort Mills, SC but not sure if they played together there.

Hokies Starting Five
Toibu Lawal
1 JR F 6-8 200
13.2 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Mylyjael Poteat
34 SR F 6-9 260
12.7 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 2.2 Ast

Brandon Rechsteiner
7 SO G 6-1 185
9.0 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 3.0 Ast

Jaden Schutt
2 SO G 6-5 185
8.2 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 2.0 Ast

Tyler Johnson
10 FR G 6-5 215
6.2 Pts, 5.5 Reb, 0.8 Ast

Key Bench Players
Jaydon Young
3 SO G 6-4 205
9.3 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 1.8 Ast

Ben Burnham
13 SR F 6-7 200
4.0 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 0.8 Ast

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

Patrick Wessler
5 SO C 7-0 245
3.2 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 0.0 Ast

Gamecocks Starting Five
Collin Murray-Boyles
30 SO F 6-7 231
15.3 Pts, 8.8 Reb, 1.8 Ast

Jamarii Thomas
6 SR G 6-0 185
12.5 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 2.8 Ast

Jacobi Wright
1 SR G 6-2 180
12.5 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 3.2 Ast

Nick Pringle
5 SR F 6-9 220
9.0 Pts, 7.2 Reb, 1.3 Ast

Myles Stute
10 SR F 6-7 215
6.0 Pts, 2.3 Reb, 0.8 Ast

Key Bench Players
Zachary Davis
2 JR G 6-8 190
9.7 Pts, 4.5 Reb, 2.3 Ast

Morris Ugusuk
15 SO G 6-4 160
5.2 Pts, 1.0 Reb, 0.7 Ast