First-half run powers Hokies past Minnesota in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

By Sam Alves

Staff Writer

November 28, 2022

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech did itself no favors early in its ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup with Minnesota with six turnovers through 13 offensive possessions and stagnant offense unbecoming to Mike Young’s motion scheme.

But with the score tied at 22 and six and a half minutes on the clock, Hokies point guard Sean Pedulla was the spark Tech needed to take control of the game. A 13-0 run — fueled by 11 points from Pedulla alone — turned the tide in Tech’s 67-57 win over the Golden Gophers (4-3) Monday night.

Tech (7-1) scored 17 of the half’s last 22 points without committing another turnover in a display of complementary basketball that has appeared in spurts but not for sustained enough stretches for Young’s liking through eight games.

“[Pedulla’s] picking his spots,” Young said to reporters after the game. “I thought he had a nice floor game yet again. That one shot, step-back at the foul line in the first half was atrocious….[But] if it’s a rhythm shot, if it’s a practice shot, if it’s a team shot, let it go.

“He’s certainly taking me up on that offer.”

Pedulla did so to the tune of 17 points to lead all scorers. Forward Justyn Mutts wasn’t far behind with 16 points and nine rebounds himself. Mutts did commit a game-high five turnovers, though.

“I don’t really know what to attribute that too,” Young said. “Mutts was a little loose with the ball, which is out of character for him. He’s been so good. We were fifth in the country coming [into to the game in] assist-turnover ratio…Such an emphasis every day about not turning it over. We weren’t as good with the ball tonight as we typically are.”

Mutts does have at least three turnovers in three of his first seven games (after missing Tech’s season opener serving a suspension) and at least four turnovers in three outings this season.

So what’s the key to taking care of the basketball, especially for the team’s most experienced player?

“I think just moving the ball [so] nobody’s trying to do too much,” Mutts said. “Making the easy pass instead of trying to make the home-run play ourselves. Sometimes it’s a hockey assist; I pass it to this guy and he has a great angle instead of me trying to make a home-run play myself. Trusting our teammates to do what’s best.”

Tech turned the ball over three times in the first eight possessions of both halves and finished the game with more giveaways (14) than assists (12). But with the ball in Pedulla’s hands — the sophomore only committed one turnover in 36 minutes — and a stern talking to during a media timeout, the offense bounced back when it needed to.

“I told them in our timeout: This looks like a damn pickup game in July," Young said. "I can’t stand watching it in July and I sure as hell can’t stand watching it here in November. We’ll continue to get better.”

With Pedulla — who chipped in two assists and four rebounds — running the show, that figures to happen.

“Sean’s a dog,” Mutts said. “He’s an animal. I see him do that sort of thing every day in practice, so it’s just not like he’s coming out and doing anything new. This is Sean’s game. We are all witnesses

“…Probably the strongest guy on our team, pound-for-bound. Super quick. Great ball handling. Can shoot the ball. He can really do it all. He can post up guys, too.”

And he can also work well in transition, too, where he says much of his overall success comes from turning defense into offense. One key sequence came when forward Grant Basile stuffed Pharrel Payne — who, off the bench, led Minnesota with 13 points — rotating over late, and Pedulla took the ball the other way, finishing with a fade-away jumper.

But despite Minnesota’s poor shooting totals — 37% from the field and 26% from deep — Young said he still isn’t seeing the improvement on the defensive end he would like.

One area of improvement was on the glass, where the Hokies outrebounded Minnesota, a team that started a 6-foot-11 forward and a 7-foot center, 42-27 overall and 11-8 on the offensive boards.

That improvement will need to continue with Armando Bacot and Co. coming to town to open ACC play Sunday — and Young believes it will.

“We’re going to have to play a lot better. That’s just the bottom line. We are not playing at a level that will allow us to win that one, but we’ll take a good team into that game on Sunday. We’re gonna play a great basketball game. Our team knows we’re going to have to play better than we have to date. We’ll look forward to the competition.”