Hokie Hoops Central: Navy (3-7) at Virginia Tech (4-6) 12pm ESPN+/ACCNX

By: ltrepeter2000

HOKIE HOOPS WIZ

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on December 14, 2024, 11:49 PM | 26 comments

Navy (3-7)
at
Virginia Tech (4-6)
12pm
Cassell Coliseum
ESPN+/ACCNX

TV | ACCNX
Evan Hughes, PxP
Mack McCarthy, Analyst
Kendal Williams, Sideline

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

VIDEO STREAM
@HokiesMBB ESPN.com and ESPN app

LIVE STATS
stats.hokiesports.com

Could they....
If you had asked me two weeks ago if I thought the Hokies could have a winning streak at any point in the rest of the season, I would have just laughed.

That was before I looked at how terrible Navy has been this season. They come in 3-7. They have losses to NJIT, Maine, Rider, Campbell, Elon and Quinnipiac. Their wins are over Washington College (MD), Penn, and Harvard.

The Hokies have been bad but nothing like this. They have turned a bit of a corner with a strong game against Pitt and an absolute drubbing of NC A&T. This game should be another win for the Hokies if they play with the intensity we have seen the last two games.

Outside of Kehoe for Navy, size wise this is a very small opponent. The starting PG is their do everything guy, Austin Benigni, who is putting up 17.2 ppg. Kehoe also averages double-digits at 10 ppg but then it declines rapidly in terms of overall scoring. Opponents are averaging almost 5 blocks per game against Navy which is a bottom five in the NCAA stat for the Midshipmen.

The Midshipmen focus on a structured approach to offense. They aim to create high-percentage shots through smart ball movement and player spacing. This strategy relies on sharp passes and well-timed cuts to ensure that each player remains involved in the play.

Pick-and-Roll Plays are crucial to create mismatches. Players set screens to allow dribblers to find open teammates or take high-percentage shots.

Expect the Midshipmen to take a ton of perimeter shots. So far this season it represents about 43% of total shots. They don't shoot particularly well at just over 30% on the season.

They do however get offensive rebounds more often than you would expect. They don't drop off the ball after a shot. They go for second possessions. That said, if their overall shooting percentage was higher this might be a viable advantage but it's not.

When in transition, they capitalize on quick outlets and efficient scoring to catch defenses off guard.

This calculated offensive style emphasizes teamwork and efficiency, allowing the Midshipmen to maximize their scoring potential.

Man-to-man defense is the primary defensive setup. They are similar to the Hokies in that this is how the coach wants to run but this season has proven they don't really have the personnel for it.

They emphasize securing rebounds to minimize second-chance points for their opponents and they manage to do it well. Strong box-outs and grabbing boards are critical to transitioning back to offense.

Occasionally, Navy implements a full-court press to apply pressure and force turnovers. This could be one area they could successfully disrupt the Hokies game plan as Rechsteiner struggles under a pressured dribble.

Hokies Starting Five
Toibu Lawal
1 JR F 6-8 200
11.7 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Mylyjael Poteat
34 SR F 6-9 260
10.5 Pts, 4.9 Reb, 1.4 Ast

Jaden Schutt
2 SO G 6-5 185
9.5 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 2.2 Ast

Brandon Rechsteiner
7 SO G 6-1 185
8.3 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 3.5 Ast

Tyler Johnson
10 FR G 6-5 215
6.4 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 1.1 Ast

Key Bench Guys
Jaydon Young
3 SO G 6-4 205
7.9 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 1.7 Ast

Ben Burnham
13 SR F 6-7 200
5.5 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 1.2 Ast

Patrick Wessler
5 SO C 7-0 245
4.2 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 0.1 Ast

Ben Hammond
11 FR G 5-11 170
4.1 Pts, 1.0 Reb, 1.5 Ast

Rodney Brown
4 SO G 6-6 180
3.0 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.6 Ast

Navy Starting Five
Austin Benigni
1 JR G 5-11 172
17.2 Pts, 2.8 Reb, 4.6 Ast

Aidan Kehoe
99 JR C 6-10 231
10.0 Pts, 7.9 Reb, 1.8 Ast