Hokies pass final test before brooklyn with 72-43 victory over merrimack

By Carter Hill

Staff Writer

November 22, 2021

BLACKSBURG — With under four minutes left to go, and with the game in-hand for Virginia Tech, head coach Mike Young pointed to the end of the bench.

Trotting over to the scorer’s table was Camden Johnson and Ben Varga, two freshmen walk-ons hoping to each secure their first collegiate bucket.

The pair’s second offensive possession, Sean Pedulla dribbled into the lane, kicked it out, and Johnson was awaiting the pass before draining a wide-open three to set off the Cassell Coliseum crowd.

Once more, on the final possession of the game, Pedulla could’ve dribbled out the clock. Instead, he found an open Varga, who capitalized on yet another three with just over two seconds left to put the nail in the coffin.

The Tech bench exploded. Which was fitting, it was a mirroring image of its performance. As the Hokies (5-0) used excellent energy, sharp shooting, and shut-down defense to race past Merrimack (3-3) 72-43 that resulted in the program's 1,500th victory.

“I thought we did a really good job sharing the ball,” said forward Justyn Mutts about Tech’s offensive success.

The Hokies shot a whopping 55% from the field, including 38% from three.

“There were different spots where we were open, and we got big time shooters that make big time shots,” Mutts continued.

Defensively, Young’s team was once again sharp as well.

The Warriors shot just a mere 39% from the field, including 25% from three. If you think that’s impressive, listen to this.

Tech’s opponents haven’t shot better than 40% all year long. And for a team with many question marks on the end of the ball, it’s fair to say they’ve made an early season statement.

“It’s something that we’re trying to take pride in,” said guard Storm Murphy, who led the Hokies with 14 points.

“We know how good we are offensively, but for us on the defensive side, we want to continue to grow there. We heard it in the offseason, that that may be a weak spot for us,” Murphy continued.

“The coaches have been challenging us. We’re really working on it every day. To see numbers like that, it makes us happy.”

Tech also forced 15 turnovers, and kept Merrimack off the foul line the entirety of the contest. Young continues to like what he sees there.

“They’re so connected,” the third-year head coach added about his team’s defense.

“Our ball screen defense still has to improve, but we’re very connected. The kids are smart, the kids know what it’s supposed to look like. We’re going to run into a lot of teams here that shoot the ball better than some we have played here in our first five (games).

“We have to get a little bit better at getting out of gaps and closing out. But I think that’ll come as we move through the season.”

Scoring wise, it was another night of lots of diversity for Virginia Tech. In fact, all but two Hokies tallied up points in this one.

Nahiem Alleyne added 12 points of his own, while Mutts, Hunter Cattoor, and Keve Aluma combined for an additional 23 points between the trio. Not a lot of guys in double-figures, but Tech can work with that if the Hokies can continue to share the box score.

These were tune-ups, but it’s a gauntlet of a schedule coming up for Virginia Tech. Maryland, Dayton, St. Bonaventure, Duke, and North Carolina all await in the coming weeks. But first, it all starts on Wednesday evening against No. 11 Memphis at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“I think we’re really excited to see how we’re going to play on Wednesday,” Murphy said.

“It’s a new venue, New York is special, I’m excited to take another road trip with these guys. It’s going to be a fight, we’re going to have to bring our “A” game.”

Can these performances against low-majors translate against a top-10 caliber team? And can the Hokies pull off another Thanksgiving week upset after results in previous years against No. 3 Michigan State and No. 3 Villanova?

“We’re about to find out,” Young said regarding repeating a similar performance against a higher-quality team. “They’re very long and aggressive, they’ll want to play very fast. We’ll see here soon.”

“I don’t feel like if we win the game it’ll be an upset,” Alleyne said. “I really feel like we’re one of the best teams in the country.”

So how excited is Mike Young and company to get on their Tuesday charter up to “The Big Apple?”

“We’re looking forward to getting to Brooklyn and looking forward to getting to play in the Barclays Center,” Young said.

“Our team is excited, our coaches are excited...it’s going to be a great college basketball game.”