Virginia Tech vs Pittsburgh: Preview and Prediction
The Panthers face a dangerous test as they travel to face the Hokies on Saturday afternoon
Gameday Info
Tipoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
TV: ACCN
Spread: Virginia Tech -3
Total: 147
Pittsburgh Team Overview:
Record: 19-7 (12-3)
KenPom Ranking: 55th (47th Offense, 74th Defense)
Recent Games: W 77-58 vs Boston College, W 83-75 at Florida State, W 91-57 vs Louisville
Leading Scorers:
Jr. F Blake Hinson (15.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 38.4 3PT%)
Sr. G Jamarius Burton (15.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 50.2 FG%)
Sr. G Greg Elliott (11 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 42.6 3PT%)
Pittsburgh is by far the biggest success story in the ACC this season; they have ripped off six straight conference victories and have moved into a tie for first. In the past ten days, the Panthers have dominated in three consecutive performances against bottom-tier teams in the league by an average victory margin of over 20 points.
The emergence of Jeff Capel’s team can be attributed to their immense success acquiring talent elsewhere, as his top four scorers have all transferred in within the last two seasons. These transfers are all older guys as well, as big man Fede Federiko is the only starter that isn't at least 22 years old.
Jamarius Burton and Blake Hinson are the two best players of the bunch, and both rank as top-12 scorers in the league. Burton also ranks eighth in assists.
Hinson has developed into one of the ACC’s elite stretch forwards. He's drilled five or more three-pointers in three of his last six games, including a program record eight made treys in the win over Wake Forest back on Jan. 25.
The depth and balance behind these too is what makes Pittsburgh go, however, as the guard trio of Greg Elliott, Nelly Cummings, and Nike Sibande have all been massive this season. Elliott is a marksman who stretches the defense, Cummings is an experienced point guard who supplements burton well, and Sibande is a bench spark plug who can go get a bucket for himself at any time.
The Panthers are a legit team, and they've been excellent on both sides of the ball in league play. Capel's group ranks top three in the ACC during conference play in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom.
Virginia Tech Team Overview:
Record: 15-11 (5-10)
KenPom Ranking: 68th (29th Offense, 122nd Defense)
Recent Games: L 77-70 at Georgia Tech, W 93-87 at Notre Dame, L 82-76 vs Boston College
Leading Scorers:
Sr. F Grant Basile (16.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 51.6 FG%, 38.2 3PT%)
So. G Sean Pedulla (15.5 ppg, 4.0 apg, 1.4 spg)
Sr. F Justyn Mutts (13.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.9 apg, 55.9 FG%)
Mike Young’s Hokies have been an inconsistent bunch this season. After opening the season 11-1 and entering the AP Top 25, Virginia Tech then experienced a seven game ACC losing streak, before winning a modest four of their last seven.
The Hokies took down then No. 6 Virginia and legitimate Duke and Syracuse squads in late January before losing to conference bottom feeders Boston College and Georgia Tech last week.
The inconsistency of their formidable scoring guard duo in sophomore Sean Pedulla and senior Hunter Cattoor could be to blame. The two shot at a dreadful combined mark of 26 percent in the loss to the Eagles before Pedulla again shot at a sub-30 clip against the Yellow Jackets.
On the other hand, Tech can rely on their veteran forwards to anchor them offensively. Grant Basile is averaging nearly 30 points over his last three games and has moved into the top ten in the ACC in scoring. He achieves this mark while shooting over 50 percent from the field, as does his frontcourt mate Justyn Mutts. While Mutts is a little less of a scoring threat, he's a total swiss army knife leads the team in rebounds, assists, and steals.
Despite the lackluster record, the Hokies remain a dangerous squad, especially on their home floor. KenPom ranks them third in the conference in terms of offensive efficiency and Tech trails only the Miami Hurricanes in terms of team field goal percentage (47.2%).
Prediction:
The Hokies are unpredictable. They boast one of the most well-rounded offenses in the nation and are fearsome at home, but have three losses (Boston College twice) to some of the worst teams in the ACC.
The Panthers, on the other hand, boast one of the most consistent resumes in the conference. While this is a clear trap spot for them, they have battled and prevailed when provided these tests so far this season.
I like the better side of Young’s Hokies to present themselves Saturday night. Both teams shouldn't have too much trouble scoring, but Tech is hungrier and will have a raucous weekend crowd behind them. Pedulla is bound to shoot his way out of this slump and should have a big imprint in the scoring column if Tech can pull off the big win at home.
Virginia Tech was in a similar situation last season, as even though they were thought of as one of the better teams in the league they kept dropping close ACC games. Mike Young was ultimately able to keep his group confident, as they ended up playing their best ball in March and winning the conference tournament.
Look for Young to ignite a fire under his group to bring their A-game at home in this one and pull off the upset by way of an impressive offensive performance.
The Pick: Virginia Tech -3
Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 80, Pittsburgh 73
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Chase is a contributing writer at Deacons Daily