After suffering their first five game non-conference losing streak in 100 years, the Hokies have the opportunity to turn the page and start ACC play with a clean slate in the conference. However, it will be no easy task as Virginia Tech (3-5) hosts Pittsburgh (7-2), who are currently ranked 18th in the country. This game is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 7 and will be aired on ESPNU.
Virginia Tech isn’t the only team looking to bounce back as Pittsburgh joined them in the losing column in the ACC/SEC challenge, falling 90-57 on the road at Mississippi State. The Panthers will be playing with a chip on the shoulder, trying to prove they aren’t the team that showed up in that embarrassing loss just a few days ago.
Pittsburgh enters the game as 9.5-point road favorites. To cover, all they have to do is something the Hokies last five opponents have done - win by double digits. Here are some keys to the game that will determine whether the Hokies can pull off the upset or if Pittsburgh can rebound in their ACC opener in Blacksburg.
Keys to the Game
Turnover Battle
If anyone feels like this has been a key to the game every preview, that’s because turnovers have been the Hokies’ Achilles Heel and a consistent indicator of whether the Hokies win or lose.
In Tech’s three wins to start out the season, they won the turnover battle twice and tied it in their ugly six-point win over Winthrop. In their five losses, the Hokies have lost the turnover battle four times, only tying it in their 10-point loss against South Carolina. The South Carolina game was uncoincidentally one of their better team performances of the season despite the loss.
If turnovers are going to be the key to the winner on Saturday, the Hokies' odds don’t look too good. Virginia Tech averages the 30th most turnovers in the country at almost 15 per game. This has contributed to a putrid offense that ranks just 302nd in the country. The Panthers are on the other end of the turnover spectrum, coughing it up less than 10 times per game - one of the 30 best marks in the country.
With this in mind, Virginia Tech has no way around getting away with turnover issues. Especially as a team that has struggled with their shooting, they have to take care of the ball and at least give themselves a chance with a shot attempt every possession. If they can’t do this, it will be another long day inside Cassell Coliseum.
How Many Hokies Can Step Up?
Virginia Tech hasn’t suffered from a lack of depth this season. In fact, they’ve had five different leading scorers through eight games this season. The issue has been the struggle to get most of the team playing well on the same night.
Looking back at each game, there has been at least one impact player - if not a majority of the team - who has struggled.
Against Vanderbilt, Jaden Schutt and Mylyjael Poteat played good games, but Brandon Rechsteiner couldn’t find his shot and Tobi Lawal was virtually a non-factor. Against South Carolina, Jaydon Young came off the bench for 12 points, but Poteat had his first stinker of the year with just one point. Looking back to Michigan, Lawal led the team in scoring with 14, but Schutt couldn’t buy one.
This has been the story all season long. The Hokies have multiple impact players, who can lead the team in scoring on any given night, but they don’t have someone who can reliably lead the team whenever necessary. Without a true number one option, the Hokies need all of their role players to pick up the slack by committee and put together a true team performance. If they can’t do that, they won’t be able to pick up wins against power conference opponents.
Matchup of the Game: Ishmael Leggett vs Jaden Schutt
Senior guard Ishmael Leggett has been excellent for the Panthers this year, averaging 17 points and six rebounds per game on nearly 50% shooting. Unfortunately, he suffered by far his worst performance of the year in the loss to Mississippi State, scoring just six points on 3/14 shooting. This was the first time this season Leggett had gone below 14 points. For Pittsburgh to rebound from their second loss of the season, Leggett has to come out looking like his usual self.
Jaden Schutt will likely be his matchup, and Schutt is coming off one of his best career collegiate performances. Schutt knocked down 5/11 three point attempts on his way to a team-high 15 points in the loss against Vanderbilt. Schutt came into the season with big shoes to fill as the team’s projected top shooter with the loss of Hunter Cattoor. His shoes became even bigger after the loss of the team’s projected top scorer Hysier Miller.
Schutt can’t do everything on his own, but his confidence firing from anywhere was very encouraging a few nights ago against the Commodores.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 83, Virginia Tech 67
Pittsburgh will come into Blacksburg looking to send a message after their rough loss to Mississippi State. Virginia Tech will be able to keep the game within single digits in the first half, but just like they have all season, the Hokies won’t be able to sustain their solid play and will fall 83-67 to the Panthers.
Ishmael Leggett will bounce back and lead the game in scoring with 20+ points, while the Hokies will get solid play out of their frontcourt of Mylyjael Poteat and an engaged Tobi Lawal, looking to prove his worth to Mike Young after a season-low 19 minutes against Vanderbilt.
