Thursday, November 16, 2017

Numbers tell ugly truth for Virginia Tech in loss to Saint Louis

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

NEW YORK -- Buzz Williams is truly a coach immersed and steeped in analytics.

His press conferences often include mentions of deflections, passes before three-point attempts, rebounding percentages, ball screens, paint touches, and the like. Following Virginia Tech’s 77-71 setback against Saint Louis at Madison Square Garden, the Hokies’ head coach had just one number reference.

“We have had 24 practices to date,” Williams said. “And I am disappointed with our competitiveness.”
If you want a number, look no further than rebounding. The Hokies were outrebounded 43-33 by Saint Louis, who had a 26-17 percent edge in offensive rebounding rate. Rebounding equals toughness and competitiveness.
“They were tougher than us on both ends on the floor,” Williams lamented. “They showed a toughness we like to have. They played physical and just out-toughed us.”
Postgame was short on numbers, if any. Williams told his team it wasn’t so much a disappointment in losing, rather than “the manner in which we played.” For the basketball savant on the bench in Blacksburg, a one-day turnaround with a consolation game in this 2K Classic on tap may be a blessing. It affords the chance to get back out and compete, and hopefully to erase the memory of what transpired.
“They managed the game very well,” Williams said of Saint Louis. “They did a good job executing plays. But when we did stop the play, we did not stop the player. That is a big difference and very significant.”

The loss was Virginia Tech’s first following victories over Detroit and The Citadel. The Hokies put three in double figures, led by Ahmed Hill with 26 points. Regardless, it was ultimately of little consolation.

“We just did not do enough,” a morose Williams reiterated. “We did not deserve to win this game.”
Buzz Williams is never at a loss for words. On this evening, the Virginia Tech mentor was at a complete loss for numbers. For Virginia Tech, it was simply that type of game.

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