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The Hokies were up my way this weekend, playing at Maryland so I used the convinience of eBay to buy some great tickets from a Maryland fan. Me and my two kids had prime seats and about the best parking pass you can have for a major college sporting event. On Saturday we eargerly put on all our Virginia Tech apparel and headed from Northern Virginia around the beltway to the University of Maryland for our only chance to watch the Virginia Tech basketball team in person this year.
They didn't cooperate.
I've watched this team all year, and frankly that was the worst I've seen the Hokies so far. It wasn't any one thing, they just didn't have the enery, focus, or sharpness they've had most of the season on Saturday. Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen especially had bad first halfs. In many ways, it was a case of Maryland just coming out more ready to play, fresher, more energetic, and shooting the lights out.
During the game, it seem liked Maryland hit every big shot. The stats at the end of the game didn't reflect it, but I could of sworn the Terps had a huge advantage in FG% because they seem to drain everything. Maybe it was the 24-26 FTs they shot.
Maryland had a tough week with lots of grumbling by fans over the team and program, and coach Gary Williams has been feeling the heat. As we entered the Comcast Center, they were passing out buttons with his picture and the phras "In Gary We Trust" to bolster support. They also had a week to prepare. It just seemed like it was their night.
I kept waiting for Delaney or Allen to wake up and the Hokies to make a run. I was being polite sitting in the Terps section around many Maryland alumni (with 2 small children), but when VT cut it to 3 early in the second half I starting cheering very loudly. However a traditional 3 point play followed by yet another Maryland jump shot immediately pushed the lead back to 9 and it was ugly from there on out. I got quiet quickly. (BTW- the Comcast Center is as you would expect, very corporate and proffesional, but not realy loud or intimidating. I've heard the UVa John Paul Jones arena is similar).
Its frustrating because just watching the 2 team, Virginia Tech has the better squad. They had more height, more talent, and more ability. But on the road on an 'off' night it tough to win. We are going to have to bite our nails for the rest of the season and I fully expect to be a bubble team.
I've said in several posts, if nothing else, this team, this season, will have plenty of drama.
Go Hokies!!
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