I cringe every time Bede launches a three. VT should design plays where Bede hangs out just in front of the 3-pt line because defenses have decided not to play him out that far. Then we should run a screen for Cattoor to catch a pass from Bede and then elevate right behind Bede (to give him a little separation from the trailing defenders chasing him) for a 3-pointer. That said, is there anything more satisfying than a made Bede 3-pointer?!? You never expect them to go in but I swear, in his career at VT, he has SEVERAL big time late-game 3s made right when the team needs them the most. I feel that classic "NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-YESSSSSSS! Nice shot!!!!!" internal monologue every little league basketball coach has felt when their non-shooters are heaving up late-game jumpers and you need points.

Joe Bamisile stepped up HUGE today and showed off some more of the promise of what he can become once he starts learning the offense, etc. That crazy I'm about to fall down and trip fast break ending with the perfect lay-up finish. Then THAT DUNK. Banging in those mid-range jumpers. Dude is gonna be a baller for VT. Announcers were loving his attacking style of play. He looks to score! He knows he can score. Ask High School players and coaches that had to play him. He is UNSTOPPABLE once he gets going and I think Joe Bam knows it. If he can start effectively backing up Boots -- look out. Teams are not gonna get a break from that 1-2 punch, if both of those guys can stay fresh in a game. Keep learning, keep growing your game, Joe! Your time will come! Loved seeing him smile out there on the court after several of his makes, having a blast out there flying around and contributing.

There were definitely some lucky breaks at the end of the game. That charge call easily could've gone the other way. I couldn't definitively tell if Cattoor stepped out of bounds on that game-tying 3, either. Sometimes things go your way right at the right time. As a Hokies fan, I've seen this team endure their share of bad luck over the years, so I'll take the good luck any way it finds the team.There were several calls earlier in the game that were fouls against the Hokies that were ticky-tacky touch fouls. Take the good with the bad. It's part of the game.

Boots' suspension has had a silver lining. It has forced some other players to step up and, WOW, has the team risen to the challenge. I know there have been plenty of seasons in the past where a starter goes down for VT for whatever reason and the team's chemistry really suffers and Ws are hard to come by. I'm liking this plug-and-play system of CMY. Boots is a GREAT player for VT, with a unique skill set for a guy 6'2". But if other guys can step up and fill in when he goes down, you can see the advantages of having a "system coach" like how CMY is running things. Remember when Diarra opted out and you had that sinking feeling? At least I felt that way. How could we lose a guy that athletic and continue to win like we have? Just incredible.

How huge has Aluma been over the last several games?!?! What a luxury to be this far into the season and to see Bamisile's patience and hard work pay off. And to see Aluma continue to grow as a dominant force in the ACC as the season goes on. And Justyn Mutts, baby! Dude knew he had a bigger story to tell than High Point and kudos to him for his long and winding journey to the ACC and VT. He's starting to put things together, too, and it feels like he's getting better and recognizing that playing to his strengths right around the basket is a great formula for success. He and Aluma both are a handful. This team is getting STRONGER. Lots to learn, lots to correct, and next season could be fun, too, but I'm definitely enjoying this team play this year.

Cattoor. Just awesome. Love how hard he plays. And as much as I've heard about him being a defensive liability this season in print and by announcers, I feel like he's been blocking as many shots as anybody except Aluma here of late. And can we please get to the Big Dance this year? Cattoor is MADE for game winning 3s at the buzzer and I feel like he'd look great in a NCAA Tournament montage of big finishes they always run throughout the tournament (and especially after the first weekend of the tournament with all the upsets, etc.). One shining moment! Or multiple ones!

Pemsl is coming back, apparently. CMY said in the after-game presser he expects him back soonish. Reading the tea leaves, Boots will be back soon-ish, too. Again, I think this team is getting stronger. (Godspeed on your recovery, Cone! I think I saw somebody in a boot on the bench and it probably was Cone, right?)

I think Miami is better than their record and they will be a tough out in the ACC Tournament. Same with Pitt. Duke is down this year and UNC is down this year but they have talented guys and they will be hard outs, as well. I think this year's ACC Tournament is wide open. BC won't run the table. Wake won't either. But pretty much anybody else can string together some wins and make some noise, VT included. Syracuse is better than their record, too, I think. It's a down year for the ACC, but maybe the parity has never been better. Instead of a top-heavy conference with the typical NC teams at the top, there are several teams that have enough pieces to get hot later this year and string some Ws together. I think VT is right in the mix, obviously. (Still haven't seen FSU play and wonder if they're actually the team to beat once it's all said and done.)

GO HOKIES!

[Post edited by MaroonAvenger at 02/06/2021 6:25PM]