Hokie ClubThe Virginia Tech men’s basketball team knocked off Miami 88-83 in overtime last night for its fifth straight win and for its ninth win in the past 10 games. Malcolm Delaney scored a career-high 29 points and A.D. Vassallo added 28 for Tech.
Here are some of coach Seth Greenberg’s comments following the ACC teleconference on Monday morning:
On last week and the week ahead:
“We had a good week, obviously. We played two outstanding teams and found a way to get enough stops and make enough shots to win. Having said that, we play two more outstanding teams [Clemson and BC] that are extremely well-coached and physical. We’re pleased with what we’ve accomplished, but the reality is we’re going to have to deal with this 12 or 13 more times. We’ve got to use what we’ve learned from last week and move on. That’s the challenge for all of us, not just Virginia Tech, but for everyone. You can’t get too high. You can’t get too low. You’ve got to stay in the present and continue to get better. That’s our goal as we prepare for Clemson and BC.â€
On whether a couple of early-season losses shook the team’s confidence:
“Those early-season losses, I don’t think they shook our confidence. If you do this long enough and play a bunch of good teams, you’re going to play in close games. You’re going to win some and you’re going to lose some. We’ve lost some tough games, but we’re not alone. You go right around our league or any league and you’ve got teams that have won some close games and lost some close games.
“That’s what I’ve tried to get our guys to keep in perspective, but more importantly why were we in these close games and what can we do to alleviate that situation. I feel more confident that we’re a little tougher than we were earlier in the season.â€
On perhaps being the hunted instead of the hunter now:
“That makes for good rhetoric and something that you can write a story about, but our guys don’t look at it that way. I don’t think we’re the hunted. Clemson, I think, is the ninth team in the country and probably going to be eighth this week. BC has a terrific team. In this league, everyone is hunted. You’re trying to survive and win a game. Winning is relief and losing is misery. I don’t think the players look at it that way. They look it as ‘Who do we have next? Clemson? Oh, they’re really good.’ We play in the ACC and every team is trying to get in the NCAA Tournament.â€
On Delaney raising his game this year:
“We give Malcolm a lot of freedom and all we ask is for him not to abuse it. I want him to be as aggressive as possible. Early in the season, I think he was putting a lot of pressure on himself instead of just playing and attacking. He has deceptive quickness and he shoots the ball with great range and great confidence. He’s been able to get to the line because he’s changing speeds effectively right now. There’s something about Baltimore guards. Those kids just know how to play the game and have a feel for the game. He’s one in a long line of really good Baltimore guards.â€
On why has Clemson been such a tough match-up the past few seasons:
"They’ve [Tech vs. Clemson] been great games. The last four years, I think, have been decided on the last play. It’s funny. Oliver [Purnell] and I have joked that the team that leads with 30 seconds to go has no chance of winning. If you look at the background of the series, they have been terrific games. We’ve got to handle the pressure obviously and defend the jump shooters. They’re much better offensively than they have been the past few years. They’re really good offensively."