The Tech Lunch Pail is excited to announce the launch of the new TLP Insider subscription. Sign up for an account and get the best news, inside scoops, and analysis on the Hokies! Learn more

Hokies Basketball: Despite Overall Success, Virginia Tech Needs Seth Allen to Improve

The Virginia Tech Hokies are rolling at 4-1 in the ACC and 12-6 overall with a 3-0 ACC home record and a road ACC win at Georgia Tech, their first road ACC victory since December 2013. Year 2 of the Buzz Williams era has definitely shown more improvement than fans were expecting at the beginning of 2016 or even at the beginning of the season. Virginia Tech has been led by Zach LeDay, Justin Bibbs, Justin Robinson, and Kerry Blackshear over the past few games. Seth Allen made some progress against Georgia Tech as he was able to get to the free-throw line a lot down the stretch to have 13 total points for the game, 11 of which came from the free-throw line. The Hokies are headed for a tougher stretch of games coming up, but Virginia Tech hasn't reached their full potential, and Seth Allen is a guy the Hokies need to step up. So far, Allen has not been the same player that had fans excited when he decided to come to transfer to Virginia Tech as his three-point shooting percentage has been down almost 12% from the 2013-2014 season while he is averaging more than a turnover more per game despite playing two less minutes compared to the 2013-2014 season. Allen has gone into a shooting slump recently, and the Hokies need Allen to get going shooting the basketball whether it is from deep or making layups that he has disappointingly missed. Allen also has been in shooting slumps and decided to take bad, heavily-contested instead of dishing the ball to an open player whether they are across the paint or beyond the arc. There have also been plenty of moments when Allen has dribbled too much that have led to turnovers for the Hokies. Virginia Tech needs Allen to recognize when he is struggling with his shot, and in those moments to be more pass-first instead of forcing bad, heavily-contested shots. More than anything, the Hokies need Allen to get out of this cold-shooting patch that has prevented the Hokies from having a more efficient offense. With games against Notre Dame, North Carolina, Louisville, and Pittsburgh coming up; the Hokies need Allen to step up and give the Hokies a third option from beyond the arc to go with Justin Bibbs and Zach LeDay. Seth Allen has not met expectations this year, but the Hokies need to veteran guard to play like a veteran and not only get his shot back but when he is struggling, Virginia Tech needs Allen to not force up bad shots, but attack the rim and either create and make an easy layup, or make a quick pass whether it be across the paint or to an open shooter on the outside.
You must login in order to comment on this post.
Loading Indicator