Hokies Suffer Damaging 68-63 Home Loss To NC State

By Carter Hill

Staff Writer

January 5, 2022

BLACKSBURG — Entering the 2021-22 campaign, it seemed as if once again Virginia Tech was destined for a top-half finish in the ACC, and was a lock to participate in its fifth straight NCAA Tournament — an event the program has become a fixture in after years of finishing in the cellar of the conference.

That still very well could be the case. But for now, it’s hard to imagine the Hokies (8-6, 0-3 ACC) being included in the coveted Field of 68, with Tuesday night serving as fairly strong evidence.

It was supposed to be a night where Tech regained some momentum heading into 2022. It was supposed to be a night where Mike Young’s team was supposed to feel good about themselves heading into an eight day layover. And most importantly, it was supposed to be a night in which the Hokies picked up their first victory in league action.

NC State had other plans though.

Instead, the Wolfpack (8-7, 1-3 ACC) took full advantage of a rusty Virginia Tech squad that had just come off a Covid-19 pause, snapping a five-game skid and leaving Blacksburg with a 68-63 victory over the Hokies.

So how much did 13 days in-between suiting up on the hardwood affect the Hokies.

“It did considerably,” Young said. “I could feel it. But I don’t want to detract from NC State’s effort, that’s not what we do around here.”

So in what ways did Tech seem like they had been left on a shelf just a tad too long?

“Our quickness to the ball was lacking, and it was evident,” said the third-year head coach. “They were giving me everything they had in their tank, but they (just were quicker then we were on the glass).”

The Wolfpack outrebounded the Hokies 36-26, and were especially potent on the offensive boards late in the contest.

“Your readiness for competition at this level is a great concern,” Young added. “This is the Atlantic Coast Conference…we knew it was going to be hard. Just hoped like crazy we could mustered enough to win.”

According to Young, “several” members of Tech’s team just got back the day prior to Tuesday night’s action, though both himself and his guys certainly weren’t going to make excuses.

“Bottom line is, NC State outplayed us,” said guard Storm Murphy, who echoed similar thoughts to his head coach. “We didn't play well enough to win, all credit to them.”

At times, it looked like the Hokies had played well enough to win, though. And at other times, it looked like the fatigue had set in after a number of guys had been collecting dust for the past couple of weeks.

Makes sense why it was a game of runs then, doesn’t it?

Quickly, the Wolfpack surged out to a 7-0 advantage. Before Tech followed with its own 8-0 run to take the lead even before the horn sounded to signify the first media timeout.

Then, with the Hokies all of a sudden trailing 29-19, they rather quietly went on a 17-0 run that overlapped between the first and second half, and put Tech up 36-29 with just over 18 minutes to play.

How did NC State respond?

How about an eventual 18-2 run of its own? And the Pack all of a sudden once again led 52-43.

Then came the knockout punch. The punch that energized a brutal final five minutes for the Hokies.

With Tech leading 59-58 after a 9-0 run and a tip-in from Justyn Mutts, the maroon and orange had a chance to get the ball back and tack on some insurance heading into the final frame.

Jericole Hellems tried a three for State, clank, off the back iron. Cam Hayes came down with the rebound.

Then, Terquavion Smith tries from the outside, to no avail, but Hellems comes down with the board.

Two missed lay-ins and two more offensive rebounds draws a foul on Keve Aluma, and after missed Dereon Seabron trey on the inbound, Ebenezer Dowuona rips down a board and finally puts it in to put the Wolfpack up for good.

The Hokies never recovered. Five offensive rebounds on one possession, changed the game the rest of the way. And Young’s team was left to think to themselves what exactly had just happened.

“They were just relentless,” Aluma said on NC State’s approach on the glass. “It just takes a split second to miss a box out and they get the offensive rebound.”

The Berlin, Maryland native led the way for the Hokies with 18 points, while Murphy added 14 on his own at the top of the key.

It mattered little in the end, however, as Tech now stares down its first 0-3 start in conference play since the 2014-15 season.

So what’s got to give?

“We just have to come together as a team and focus on us this next week,” Aluma added. “We just have to focus on the next game and try to get a win.”

“We’re going to learn a lot from this game,” Murphy said. “We got some days ahead to look in the mirror and figure out what we really need to do, because there is a sense of urgency moving forward.”

Young remains hopeful.

“This team and this program has a lot to look forward to. I look forward to getting back in here and getting after it,” he assured. “I’ve got a good basketball team. We’re in a little bit of a dark place right now, but better days ahead. We’re going to be just fine.”