ACC Basketball Tournament: Round Two Running Diary, VT/Miami

By: Justin Cates | Managing Editor

Update 11:46 PM

Miami pulls away at the end thanks largely to free throws with the Hokies fouling. The 59-49 margin doesn’t really tell the story of a tight game throughout, not alway pretty, but highly competitive. Miami’s Sheldon McClellan led all scorers with 16 points but Davon Reed had some timely 3-pointers and chipped in 10 himself. The Hokies got 10 points from Ahmed Hill and Adam Smith. Christian Beyer finished with nine points, five rebounds and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. The Hokies end the season at 11-22 overall while the Canes improve to 21-11. Miami will face Notre Dame Thursday at 9 p.m.

Update 11:15 PM

  • For those not watching on ESPN2, Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman loved the above moment and I personally found the video hilarious.
  • Christian Beyer is having extremely productive minutes for the Hokies. So far he has eight points and four rebounds. The concern is him wearing down as he isn’t used to playing so many minutes.
  • Miami leads 39-38 at the under 8 timeout. Needless to say, this game continues to be ugly in the second half.

Update 11:00 PM

  • Miami is struggling to make layups and the Hokies are managing to close the gap. Neither team is excelling, but Tech seems to be playing harder on the whole.
  • Miami is still only outrebounding the Hokies 23-20. This is largely because of the missed layups on failed fast breaks for the Canes.
  • Tech has no player with more than seven points and they aren’t making threes, just 2-of-11 so far after that made shot by Ahmed Hill. Miami isn’t much better at 2-of-9.

-Cates

Update 10:37 PM

This is the kind of Hokie-Hurricane matchup we’ve come to know and love. Not like the Hokies 20 pt season-ending loss at home to this same team.

Nobody is impressive so far besides Sheldon McLellan, who is dominating the Hokies physically. He gets the ball in the spots he wants it. Nobody is physical enough. VT might be fortunate that Tonye Jekiri is recovering from the flu, but he’s a load when he’s in there.

Shane Henry is the only Hokie who hasn’t scored, eight other Hokies have at least one basket.

-Chuck Workman

Update 10:17 PM

    • Miami is being held up entirely by Sheldon McClellan who has 10 of Miami’s 18 points early.
    • Angel Rodriguez has checked in which will certainly change the dynamic for the Canes. They tend to play less balanced with him in the lineup.
    • Make that eight field goals by eight players for the Hokies. Buzz Williams looked severely pained after Tech’s last possession ended in a desperation heave by Adam Smith.
    • Satchel Pierce has three of Tech’s six turnovers so far. Ja’Quan Newton has three of Miami’s seven.

-Cates

Update 10:11 PM

      • Things have gotten sloppy as Miami has six turnovers and the Hokies have five.
      • Jalen Hudson had the only notable moment thus far with his thunderous dunk pictured above moments before impact. Neither team has hit its stride yet.
      • Of course as I typed that, Miami made a great dunk off an inbounds play and Adam Smith hit a 3-pointer for the Hokies. Tech has seven field goals so far from seven different players.

-Cates

Update 10:00 PM

      • Christian Beyer has gotten so good at getting open after setting screens. That play works so well with him.
      • The Canes have come out flat and while it’s only an 8-7 Tech lead, the Hokies are outworking Miami in nearly every facet as evidenced by a meager 6-5 rebounding advantage for Tonye Jekiri and the U.
      • Miami already has four turnovers at the under 12 media timeout.

-Cates

Update 9:51 PM

      • Ahmed Hill picked up two early fouls for the Hokies. He finished with 12 points in Tech’s first round win.
      • Miami is extending the defense and preventing Tech from getting any good looks from outside.
      • The Hokies have four quick team fouls at the first media timeout. None for the Canes.

-Cates

Update 9:22 PM

The final game tonight between Miami and Virginia Tech will tip at 9:43 p.m. and will be available on ESPN2 and the ACC Network.

      • Sherman only played 12 total minutes in two games against the Hokies this season, but any change to an opponent’s frontcourt depth is a good sign for this undersized Tech team.
      • Sherman joins Angel Rodriguez who will also be out tonight for the Canes. He scored 11 points the first time these teams met but didn’t play in the second match up.
      • Miami leads the all-time series versus Tech 16-12.
      • The Hokies turned the ball over just four times against Wake Forest in an 81-80 opening round victory. That’s the fewest since the first game of the season.

-Justin Cates

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