Obviously a big game tonight for both squads. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Bennett and how he runs his programs. Tonight is a clash of styles, so you might think it'll be easy to see who is winning the battle to play to their own style...well, not so fast.

A popular adage in basketball is "it's easier to slow teams down than speed teams up", so you have to start with a baseline shaded towards UVAs pack line defense and deliberate "blocker/mover" offense.

For VT on offense:

Watch the shot clock

I dont have the stats in my hands, but I dont recall many (if any at all) shot clock violations this season. But I do know that VT has been shooting shots earlier in the clock than normal, which is due to getting better looks earlier. It should come as no surprise that getting good looks early in the clock is a sign of a well-balanced offense.

Who is taking the shots

Part of getting good looks early in the shot clock is the whole "good looks" part. And theres a difference between NAW taking a wide open 21 ft jumper and PJ Horne doing the same. So the thing to watch will be "is VT getting good looks from the players they want in the spots they want"?

J-Rob - top of the key and drives to the rim off ball screens
NAW - wing and corner 3s, drives at the rim off ball reversals
Hill - corner 3s, transition layups/dunks
Blackshear - left shoulder post ups, pick and pops at the top of the key (not from the wing)
Bede - limited wing 3s
Outlaw - drive and kick 3s from a helping defender
Horne - put backs and lobs around the rim
Wilkins - corner 3s

For VT on defense:

Rotating to the right spots

Defensive rotations will be vital tonight, as I imagine VT will double the post when the ball goes there. VT has done a great job rotating this season, but they havent faced a team where it is more important to rotate to the right position than it is to rotate and be in the general area.

For instance, you cant close out short on Kyle Guy or Jerome. Hunter also shoots a high percentage, but he hasn't shot a ton of threes, so you close our a little shorter on him, show on the shot but play him for the drive. Close long on Jay Huff. Close short on Braxton Key.

How is UVA getting their shots

With UVAs blocker/mover offensive system, their ideal offensive game would mean their shots come from open looks off of screens away from the ball. Late in the clock, teams have had success forcing them into contested 3s off of ball screens or contested drives. The problem is, that doesnt happen often as they run their sets very well, read screens very well and get good looks. If they're shooting late clock more often than usual, and its coming off drives and ball screens, then VT is probably happy with the result.

Should be a good one!

Unless VT shoots well as a team, I have UVA by 8 though at home