Buzzketball Central: St Louis Billikens (2-0) at Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) 7PM 16NOV ESPN2

IT'S GAMEDAY!🏀 #BeatSLU📍 Madison Square Garden🕖 7 PM EST📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/PNvuFuxcvE— VT Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 16, 2017

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: November 16, 2017 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: Saint Louis
Site: New York, N.Y. (Madison Square Garden)
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Talent: Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
TV/Internet: ESPN2/ESPN app
Talent: Jon Sciambi & Sean Farnham
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech

Tomorrow..#getBETTER pic.twitter.com/OOGLqoofPa— VT Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 16, 2017

The World's Most Famous Arena

Buzzketball has come out scoring at a record pace, with 245 points in two games so far. A quick 32 point win over Detroit Mercy, followed by a 39 point thrashing of The Citadel to start things off. Now they should see the first solid defense of the season in the Billikens. This opponent is the opposite of the run n' gun offense we have seen the last two games. There are very assigned roles and a methodology to everything they do

The Billikens comes in to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 record. They beat Seattle and Rockhurst in their warm ups for this tournament. The scoring differential right now between the Hokies and Billikens is almost 2 to 1, with the Hokies averaging 122.5 to the Billikens 68 per game so far. The Hokies are 7-0 all time with the series, with all seven meetings between 1978 and 1981.

The Billikens are coached by Travis Ford, who took over the program in 2016. Prior to St Louis, Ford was at Oklahoma State for eight seasons. He is 357-258 as a head coach, with a tough learning curve in his first season at St Louis, going 12-21. This is three straight years that St Louis has been in a downward trend, after making the NCAA tournament three years in a row prior to that.

Defensively, the Billikens employ what Travis Ford refers to as Transition Defense with a focus on shutting down screens and passing lanes in the interior. The critical aspect of this defense is a different assignment strategy than most defenses. Ford assigns his players three roles, the first is Stoppers which is his best full court on-ball defender, he then also has Protectors which is a slower player who is least likely to get an offensive rebound, and finally he has Sprinters, which are three players who always crash the boards, then hustle back to stop specific shots. The players role varies based on how the offense chooses to bring the ball up the court. Most of this action is designed to slow the offenses approach, taking time away from running the offense in the half court. Once in the half court, defenders will look to force their opponent away from the basket and towards a baseline or sideline to create trap opportunities. This helps the Billikens cut down on easy transition baskets and drives into the paint.

Offensively, Ford's system is aggressive use of a 2-1-2 set. Picture an X on the floor, with the center at the free throw line. It requires a big man that has good floor vision and excellent passing touch, while also being a threat to turn and take the ball to the basket. The Billikens are able to run a multitude of set plays from this look. Ideally they look to create an overload on defense to identify an open shooter.

What does that mean for the Hokies?

The Hokies will have to be more careful with the basketball especially in transition passes to prevent setting St Louis up for easy baskets. This is a defense that will look to stop the dribble so ensuring that teammates are moving without the ball will also be important to finding open opportunities on offense.

This game could prove challenging for the Tech big's because they will play a major role defensively, ultimately controlling how St Louis approaches the basket. If they can prevent the dribble drive by the Billikens bigs, then St Louis will be forced to jump shots much more, which will reduce their scoring.

The Hokies and Billikens are fairly similar size wise although the Billikens have a deeper bench in terms of guys 6'8 or 6'9. Crisp passes and getting open looks will be critical for both sides but Tech needs to find a way to beat the Billikens down the court and score in transition.

This is a team that relies heavily upon its starters so if the Hokies can get the Billikens in foul trouble they greatly increase their chances of coming out with a win. Right now, three St Louis starters are averaging over 33 minutes a game, with all five starters playing more than 25 minutes. That was against far inferior opponents and they still couldn't afford to play deep into their bench.

Billikens Backcourt

This team will seem the antithesis of Tech's last two opponents, as they rarely shoot from the perimeter. So far they are 11 of 32 from outside. That said, things could greatly change with how the Hokies allow perimeter shots.

Senior Davell Roby, #5, 6', 200 lbs is the Billikens floor general, even off the ball, he is averaging 9.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG and 1 SPG. His shooting definitely leaves something to desire though, currently shooting 33% from the field and 50% from the line but he has been averaging 35 MPG.

Junior Javon Bess, #3, 6'6, 220 lbs, a Michigan State transfer is leading the Billikens in scoring at 13.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3 APG and 1 SPG. He is shooting 58% so far, primarily because he uses his big body to get to the rim.

Freshman Jordan Goodwin, #0, 6'3, 215 lbs is the new point guard for the Billikens. He is putting up 7 PPG, 8 RPG, 6 APG, 4 SPG, and 2 BPG so far. A bit of do everything, especially defensively which is critical in Travis Ford's defensive scheme.

Senior Aaron Hines, #24, 6', 180 lbs rounds out the main rotation of guards while putting up 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. Hines seems to be the mover on offense, constantly looking to find space to get an open shot.

Billikens Frontcourt

Freshman Forward Hasahn French, #22, 6'7, 235 lbs is the Billikens new big man down low. He is averaging 28 minutes per game so far, while putting up 9.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG. He is not the typical big for a Ford offense, so expect to see Bess operate at the free throw line quite a bit.

Sophomore Forward Jalen Johnson, #20, 6'7, 210 lbs will spell French down low. He is averaging 9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1 SPG and 1 BPG.

What to expect from St Louis?

The Billikens play defense the whole length of the floor while not necessarily a press but more a stalling technique with attempts to turn the ball over, while employing double team traps, and other pressure plays to try to force turnovers.

This team embraces strong defense with a steady offense. Not quite the slowdown of a UVA squad but the pace of the game could be frustrating. The depth of this team though is in question so should the Billikens get in foul trouble it could change the entire face of the game.

The Hokies

In the rebounding game, the Hokies need to be ready to score transition baskets on defensive rebounds, as St Louis focuses hard on getting offensive rebounds with their three Sprinters looking to extend possessions. If the Hokies can get out ahead of the Sprinters than they will find a much easier time scoring rather than allowing St Louis to get into their half court game.

This is a game where Buzz needs to make sure the team plays with energy regardless of the pace of play. Several times last season, the Hokies allowed the pace of play to bog down their performance and it cost them. Facing this kind of game after the last two free flowing contests will be a difficult transition.

Clean crisp passes, limiting turnovers, and hitting open shots are the keys to success for this team. The Billikens break opponents by turning them over and limiting easy buckets. Get in behind them or beat them down the court and things get much easier against this opponent.

Highlight of the Citadel Game

✅ @TheReal_NAW1 to @5Alive_ to @MED_XIII✅ @HokiesWBB freshmen dominate against WagnerMoments of the Week ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/oWDsGthpAS— HokieSports (@hokiesports) November 14, 2017

Nickiel Alexander Walker....he very easily could have pursued 40 points in this second game if Buzz hadn't pulled him off the floor so early on. He makes things look way easier than they should be.

In Closing

Very similar rosters, although the Hokies have better size in the starting five. The groupings on the floor though should look the same with a ton of guards and one "big man" down low. The key to this game will be controlling the defensive rebounding and not playing into turnovers.

The Hokies will need to stay out of foul trouble early on. This could be challenging with how the Billikens guards like to get to the basket. Fouls could determine this game on both sides of the court.

Hokies win but get a dose of needed reality after the last two fantasy games. Buzz has them fired up to play at Madison Square Garden and the Hokies win by double digits as fouls and team depth become the turning factor late in this game. Alexander Walker still manages to go for 20 points and Blackshear will be the turning factor against the Billikens Bigs.

Be defined by the obstacles you have overcome, NOT by the obstacles that have defeated you...— Buzz Williams (@TeamCoachBuzz) November 16, 2017