Blacksburg - For the second consecutive game, Virginia Tech was far from its best. Nonetheless, it produced a stout defensive performance and an efficient second half to pick up a 78-61 win over Bryant (1-4) on Nov. 19 in Cassell Coliseum.
This is head coach Mike Young’s third 5-0 start as a Hokie and his first since the 2022-23 season. After a blazing-hot start to the season on the offensive end, Virginia Tech has slowed up in its last two games, registering its two lowest-scoring performances of the season.
“If the offensive end is my biggest concern, I’m going to have a cold drink tonight (and) I’m going to sleep really well,” Young said. “We’re going to figure that part of it out.”
The first 15 minutes were quite a struggle for the Hokies. Bryant led 20-17, before point guard Neoklis Avdalas found his shot and led a 13-0 run over the following two-and-a-half minutes.
Tobi Lawal threw down a slam to extend Tech’s lead to 32-24 in what was the exclamation point to a good end to the half. Still, the Hokies were just 2-for-8 from behind-the-arc and the free throw line - struggles Young described as “out of character.” They finished 25% from long range and 58% from the stripe.
“I think we’re the best when we run in transition,” Avdalas said of the Hokies sudden first half turnaround. “We played with more pace in the offense and found some open looks.”
Young’s Virginia Tech teams aren’t known for pushing it up the floor. Looking across the country, the Hokies have never finished above 206th in pace-of-play since Young took over. This year, they rank 99th - perhaps a byproduct of the increased athleticism and versatility this team possesses.
Virginia Tech got elite play from its frontcourt, but not all from its usual suspects. Forward Tobi Lawal continued his dominant play, scoring a team-high 18 points, including a variety of highlight dunks, while also snatching 13 rebounds. That marks his second consecutive double-double and his fourth game with at least 12 boards.
Freshman center Christian Gurdak showed out, scoring 15 points on 7 of 9 shooting, while grabbing eight rebounds in 27 minutes. Gurdak made the most of his opportunity today with the absence of starting center Amani Hansberry and the ejection of backup center Antonio Dorn, who struggled even before picking up his second flagrant one early in the second half.
“He (Gurdak) is the player of the game, in my humble opinion,” Young said. “He certainly elevated himself today. He’ll be the first big off the bench in the Bahamas.”
Lawal, Gurdak and Tyler Johnson (10 points, nine rebounds) dominated the glass as the Hokies won the rebounding battle 38-24 against a sizable opponent in Bryant.
Virginia Tech’s backcourt production was less stellar. Avdalas struggled to find his shot for much of the first half and finished just 4-for-11 on his way to a modest 11 points and five assists.
After leading the team with 21 points on Sunday, Jailen Bedford struggled through his worst performance as a Hokie, scoring just three points on 1 of 7 shooting in 17 minutes. Jaden Schutt managed five points in his first performance with less than two triples all season.
Wednesday’s lone standout guard was Ben Hammond, who scored 11 points - nine in the last five minutes to help Virginia Tech pull away for good.
Hammond also set team-highs with six assists and three steals. His quick hands and blazing speed led to transition opportunities that were vital for a team struggling to manufacture easy buckets in the half court.
An improved defensive effort - specifically from the perimeter helped Virginia Tech mask its unusually pedestrian offense.
The Bulldogs shot just 5-for-27 from three point range - many contested and late in the shot clock, due to good defensive stands from the Hokies.
Virginia Tech, now preparing for the Battle 4 Atlantis, won’t return to Cassell Coliseum for over two weeks. It opens the tournament with a showdown against former Hokie Brandon Rechsteiner and his Colorado State Rams at 5 p.m. on Nov. 26 in the Bahamas.
The Hokies will eagerly welcome back Hansberry - they’re “connector” on the offensive end, whom Young said is nursing a minor ankle strain, but will be ready for the tournament “barring something unforeseen.”
Virginia Tech has shown flashes of elite play. Now it has to put together 40 minutes of solid play each game as its level-of-competition increases.
“I am bullish on our team,” Young said. “I have seen it. We need a little more time…but I’m really fired up about our team.”
