The early basketball season is often a time when coaches are trying to work out fine details out their roster to get ready for conference play when each game matters a little bit more. However, in the midst of some of those easier games there are big games that will come up and be “resume builders” for some teams who might end up on the bubble when it comes to be NCAA Tournament time. That is where we stand for the two teams facing off today in Virginia Tech and Providence who tip off at 4 PM in the Hall of Fame Tournament at the Mohegan Sun. Providence opens as 1.5-point favorites but this is an important early season matchup for both teams to kickstart the season off right. Here are five potential keys for who could break the game and take the victory today. The game is streamable on Peacock.
Rebounding
Virginia Tech might have a size advantage against other teams but Providence should be able to match up well across the board. The place where the Hokies can still take advantage of that is the post with the athleticism and physicality of players like Tobi Lawal, Amani Hansberry, and Antonio Dorn. Providence has some big guys and some familiar names to Virginia Tech fans like Duncan Powell, Oswin Erhunmwunse, and Ryan Mela but if the Hokies can control the glass, especially on the offensive end, it will go a long way towards victory.
Pace Of Play
Providence is a team that is going to want to run and push the tempo. Kim English has the depth to rotate guys and they know how to attack in a variety of ways. Virginia Tech is going to want to slow the pace down. Not as much as a Mike Young team in the past would have, but if this gets into a run-and-gun type of game it is more than likely going to favor the Friars. Seeing who is able to dictate tempo and force the other team to play into their style is going to speak volumes towards the final score.
Defense
This one is a little obvious as defense will always be a key to the game, but it is important. Virginia Tech’s perimeter defense was very bad in the first half against Charleston Southern and kept going under screens with the Buccaneers making the Hokies pay. Mike Young talked about how the defense adjusted in the second half and you could see the difference, but a stretch like that against a better team might be too much to overcome. Providence doesn’t have elite perimeter shooting, but it is still something to watch. Just like defense has a play a role for the Friars, they are great at getting steals and getting fast break opportunities but will need to make sure they keep the Hokies out of the paint and don’t just allow Neoklis Avdalas to work his magic on the pick-and-roll.
Fouls
Both teams have players that they really can’t afford to lose do to foul issues. Amani Hansberry has had some fouling issues but the Hokies need him to be on the court as much as possible. For Providence, they don’t have a great replacement for Oswin Erhunmwunse, at least on paper, to match up against the Virginia Tech frontcourt and he has shown some foul issues and will likely be attacked from the opening tip. Both teams will need to try to protect certain players and the game could open up in meaningful ways with key guys on the bench in foul trouble.
Free Throws
Subsequently, free throws will be extremely important. Virginia Tech does a great job getting to the line and drawing fouls with how much they attack the basket. Providence also gets to the line at a high rate. Both teams shot 27 free throws in their season openers. Providence hit 72% from the line, Virginia Tech hit 70%. If those numbers stay close it shouldn’t play a major difference but if either team dips that is, quite literally, free points to the other team that will swing the game. With that also meaning a key player could be on the bench the foul and free throw situation will be a key factor in the game.
About the Author
