Hokie Hoops Central: Winthrop (2-0) at Virginia Tech (2-0) 7pm ESPN+/ACCNX

Monday Night Madness 🥊💥🆚 Winthrop🕗 7PM ET🏰 Cassell Coliseum📺 ACCNX🔗 https://t.co/Ypqs6c7UWE pic.twitter.com/np4lE371tA— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 11, 2024

Winthrop (2-0)
at
Virginia Tech (2-0)
7pm ESPN+/ACCNX

TV | ACCNX
Evan Hughes, PxP
Mack McCarthy, Analyst

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

VIDEO STREAM
ESPN.com and ESPN app

LIVE STATS
stats.hokiesports.com

Spread: Hokies -8.5
Over/Under: 153.5

Can they avoid the drought?

Mike Young has pieced together a 2-0 start but it has had challenges. Last time out the Hokies started 0 for 9 from three and found themselves down 16-2. They righted themselves to take a 37-32 lead into the half and finally pulled away in the last ten minutes to win 93-74. In game one, the drought came in the latter part of the first half. The Hokies can't afford that against Winthrop. Hopefully the Hokies get more like the last game from Rechsteiner.

the work always shows 📈📈🫡 @b_roc0 pic.twitter.com/Ha52Te6aVQ— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 9, 2024

This will be the first time facing the Eagles since 2013. That was an 81-63 win led by Jarell Eddie's thirty-four points. Winthrop comes in 2-0 after victories over Piedmont 125-65 and Little Rock 82-67. Vegas only has the Hokies by 8 in this one so a few possessions either way could tip the game.

All five starters come in averaging double-digit scoring, which isn't surprising considering they scored 125 points in the season opener. This is a very experienced squad that had 100% of scoring return from last season which is kind of unheard of in today's environment. K.J. Doucet and Kasen Harrison are a dynamic guard/forward combo that create opportunities for each other. Winthrop will look to go fast on offense, so expect fast break attempts when possible and then players constantly moving around picks to create space and opportunity.

The Eagles coach wants them to be a team that can knock down outside shots but so far the perimeter shooting is pretty poor so expect to see alot of drives to the basket and trying to create odd man options in the paint.

Up to this point they have dominated the paint but that's again heavily skewed by their opponents poor shooting and lack of size/talent. They have pulled down 117 rebounds in two games. Tonight will be a much different test.

Defensively be ready to see UVA Junior. Pack line defense but a bit more spread out as there is definitely an intensity on perimeter shooting.

The Hokies appear to be sticking with the same starting five. Have to wonder when Tyler Johnson breaks in with how much of an impact he has had. This team will probably struggle early if they aren't crisp in their passing but should find plenty of opportunities to create in the paint which will then loosen the perimeter defense. This will be the first game though that the Hokies have a definite size advantage in the paint. Still not sure what to expect from this roster.

Hokies Projected Starters

Toibu Lawal
1 JR F 6-8 200
16.5 Pts, 8.0 Reb, 1.0 Ast

Mylyjael Poteat
34 SR F 6-9 260
16.5 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 3.0 Ast

Jaydon Young
3 SO G 6-4 205
13.5 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 3.0 Ast

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

Jaden Schutt
2 SO G 6-5 185
9.5 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 3.0 Ast

Key Bench Players
Tyler Johnson
10 FR G 6-5 215
12.0 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 1.0 Ast

Ben Hammond
11 FR G 5-11 170
2.0 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 2.0 Ast

Winthrop Projected Starters
K.J. Doucet
12 SR F 6-7 230
15.0 Pts, 6.5 Reb, 1.0 Ast

Kasen Harrison
11 SR G 6-1 190
13.5 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 4.0 Ast

Kelton Talford
4 SR F 6-7 195
13.5 Pts, 9.0 Reb, 1.5 Ast

Tommy Kamarad
15 JR F 6-8 205
10.0 Pts, 6.0 Reb, 0.0 Ast

Either/or 5th starter
Bryce Baker
55 JR G 6-5 190
12.0 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Or

Ryan Jolly
2 SR G 6-3 180
11.0 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Key Bench Player
Paul Jones
3 FR G 6-4
7.5 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 1.5 Ast