Virginia Tech’s trip into Washington, D.C. for the 2024 ACC Tournament was short, and anything but sweet.
The eighth-seeded Hokies fell apart in the second half against the ninth-seeded Florida State Seminoles in an 86-76 loss in the second round of the ACC Tournament at Capital One Arena.
In the first half, Virginia Tech was cooking offensively. The Hokies shot the ball at a 64% clip from the field and knocked in four long balls through the game’s first 20 minutes. The hot shooting Hokies held a one-point lead at the half, a lead that would soon be relinquished as the halftime break concluded.
“I thought we had some very good shots that we got down in the first half. Consequently we go in at the half up one,” head coach Mike Young said postgame. “But I thought we had some very good shots in the second half.”
Tech got similar looks around the basket and from three in the second half, but the results spoke for themselves. The Hokies were simply not the same team they started the game as. Tech shot the ball at a 35% clip in the second half. Additionally, Tech outrebounded the Seminoles by four in the first half. In the second, FSU outrebounded the Hokies by 11.
“We needed to rebound. We out-rebounded them 14 at our place. They out-rebounded us today by nine. It's a pretty easy game.” Young said.
Turnovers have plagued Tech all season long, and continued to do so in the Hokies' latest loss in the ACC Tournament. Tech committed 13 turnovers for the game, eight of which came in the second half. Tech was also outscored by Florida State 25-9 in points off turnovers, with that being a main reason for FSU's second half surge.
“I say this with great admiration -- I don't know that anybody would sign up to play Florida State, no matter what year, because of their style, because of their players.” Young said.
“They live off of those turnovers and getting out in transition. It's hard to do, but you've got to do it if you want to win," Sean Pedulla said postgame.
Though Florida State made life hard on Tech, a gift was given to the Hokies with 2:52 left in the game. FSU’s Baba Miller stepped on the inbounds line while attempting to in-bounds the ball for the Noles. The Hokies had possession down by eight points, but Pedulla threw a turnover of his own to Jamir Watkins to seal Tech’s fate.
“Just more of the same from the last time we played them. Just very ratty on the ball and slapping at the ball in your hand, and you've got to be really strong with it, especially when you get into the paint.” Pedulla said.
Pedulla led the Hokies in scoring with 24 points for the game on 8-17 shooting from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line. MJ Collins and Tyler Nickel chipped in double figure scoring performances as well. Collins totaled 15 points on 5-10 shooting from the floor. Nickel scored his second-highest point total of the season with 18 points and three made long balls.
With a second round ACC Tournament loss, Tech all but sealed its fate of not making the Big Dance. However, a bid to the NIT is almost certain with a first round home game being very possible. While there is undoubtedly disappointment to miss March Madness, Tech is still ready to have the opportunity to play a few more games and try to end the season on a better note.
“We all want to play in the big one, but to coach these guys again and make a run at that thing, you're doggone right. I'm never going to be too big for my pants that that won't be the opportunity to play in the postseason," Young said. “I don't care what anybody says, not what all of us want to do, but it is still a great tournament, and I'd like to do that.”
