The start of the basketball season is often a time when coaches try to fine-tune their roster in order to prepare for conference play, when each game counts a little more. However, in the midst of some of these easier games, there will be some big games that arise that will be “resume builders” for some teams that might find themselves on the bubble come NCAA Tournament time. That’s where we are for the two teams facing off today in Virginia Tech and Providence and who will tip off at 4 p.m. in the Hall of Fame tournament at Mohegan Sun. Providence opens as a 1.5 point favorite, but this is an important early season game for both teams to get the season off to a good start. Here are five potential keys to who could break the game and claim victory today. The game is streamable on Peacock.
Bounce
Virginia Tech might have a size advantage over other teams, but Providence should be able to match up well in all areas. Where the Hokies can still take advantage is the post with the athleticism and physicality of players like Tobi Lawal, Amani Hansberry and Antonio Dorn. Providence has some bigs and names familiar 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 toward winning.
Pace of play
Providence is a team that is going to want to run and push the pace. Kim English has the depth to rotate guys and they know how to attack in different ways. Virginia Tech is going to want to slow down the pace. Not as much as a Mike Young team has in the past, but if this turns into a run-and-gun type game, it will more than likely favor the Friars. Seeing who is able to dictate the tempo and force the other team to play their style will say a lot about the final score.
Defense
This one is a bit obvious because defense will always be key to the game, but it is important. Virginia Tech’s perimeter defense was very poor in the first half against Charleston Southern and continued 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 an elite perimeter shot, but it’s still something to watch. Just as defense has a role to play for the Friars, they are excellent at getting steals and fast break opportunities, but will need to make sure they keep the Hokies out of the paint and not just allow Neoklis Avdalas to work his magic on the pick-and-roll.
Faults
Both teams have players they really can’t afford to lose to issues. Amani Hansberry has had some foul trouble but the Hokies need him to be on the field as much as possible. For Providence, they don’t have a good replacement for Oswin Erhunmwunse, at least on paper, to face Virginia Tech’s frontcourt and he has shown some foul trouble and will likely be attacked from the first tip. Both teams will have to try to protect certain players and the game could open up significantly with key players on the bench in trouble.
Free throws
Thereafter, free throws will be extremely important. Virginia Tech does a great job of getting to the line and drawing fouls with the way they attack the basket. Providence is also getting to the line at a high rate. Both teams shot 27 free throws in their season opener. Providence hit 72% from the line, Virginia Tech hit 70%. If these numbers stay close, it shouldn’t make a major difference, but if one team goes down, it literally means free points for the other team to swing the game. This also means a key player could be on the bench, the foul and free throw situation will be a key factor in the game.
