Chop Chat
Fansided

FSU Basketball Game Preview: vs. Virginia Tech

By Frank Urbina

Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Kyle Guy (5) looks on in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Kyle Guy (5) looks on in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Jan 4, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Chris Clarke (15) dribbles up court as North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack won 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Chris Clarke (15) dribbles up court as North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack won 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Interview With JW Gravley,  of Gobbler Fighting

Gobbler Fighting and Chop Chat did a nice little Q+A before today’s game. Thanks a bunch to them, and you guys should check them out for any VA Tech related questions you may have.

  1. Who are the main players that FSU fans should worry about?
    • Gobbler Fighting: Chris Clarke and Khadim Sy (If he plays) are the players to watch for. Clarke is a ball hog that can sniff out where a play is going before it develops. As for Sy, he is a big man that can dominate the paint, however, with him possibly being out, FSU should look at what N.C. State did against the Hokies and attack VT the same way.
  2. Is VT’s offense the strength of their team?
    • Gobbler Fighting: Absolutely. Tech’s production and points can come from the defensive side of the ball but their fire power comes from the offense and a lot of that is when the defense forces turnovers. It didn’t show in the game against N.C. State but just look at how they dominated Duke — they (VT) ran in transition.
  3. The team started off really strongly with a 12-1 record. What happened against NCSU?
    • Gobbler Fighting: The injury of Sy had to affect that to some point. However, N.C. State was ready to play. They came out firing and didn’t look back from opening tip. Their home crowd was behind them all game. It has been proven any game being played on the road in ACC will be a hard one to win.
  4. FSU and VT have an identical number of possessions per game. I believe that the Seminoles would like to get out and run more, but have been forced to slow down by some of their smarter foes. Are the Hokies also a team that would like to push the ball more, if they could?
    • Gobbler Fighting: Absolutely. Tech has tried to pick up the tempo before, they tried against the Wolfpack but they shot the Hokies down. The Hokies must find a way to play quick and slow at the same time meaning play quick on offense but attempt to slow FSU down and that may be hard to do without a healthy roster for the Hokies.
  5. How will VT try to slow down Dwayne Bacon, who’s coming off a huge game against Virginia? Do the Hokies have a single lock-down defender, or will multiple guys get a turn against him?
    • Gobbler Fighting: Virginia Tech will throw different guys at him to slow him down, however, without a healthy big man rotation, I don’t see the Hokies stopping him.
  6. What’s your score prediction for the game?
    • Gobbler Fighting:  Score prediction: FSU 88 – VT 77

How to Watch

You can catch this game on WatchESPN. Tip-off is at 2PM, from the Donald L. Tucker Center. The ‘Noles opened up as eight-point favorites, so hopefully we can keep this winning streak going before a huge match-up on Tuesday against Duke. Go ‘Noles!

Home/Florida State Seminoles news