Mar 16, 2007, 16:25 GMT
Columbus, OH - For the first time in 11 seasons the Virginia Tech Hokies are making an appearance in the Big Dance, and the team's first test will come against the 12-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini this evening from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
The Fighting Illini should be considered a sleeper in this year's event. Illinois finished with an overall record of 23-11, which is very impressive. However, the team was inconsistent through most of the season, despite closing things out with six wins in their last eight games. Illinois also made a push in the Big Ten tourney, defeating Penn State and Indiana before losing to Wisconsin. Another factor the Illini have on their side is experience. This is the 27th NCAA Tournament appearance for Illinois, which is the second most in Big Ten history behind only Indiana (34). This year will be the eighth consecutive season Illinois has been selected to the Big Dance, and in seven of those events the Illini have won their first matchup. The team has reached the Final Four five times, with the most recent coming back in 2005, but the Illini have yet to win the National Title.
As for the Hokies, they have had far less experience than their counterpart in those one. In fact, this is just the eighth NCAA Tourney appearance for Virginia Tech, and the team's first since 1996. Tech is only 5-7 in this event and the furthest push it made was a Regional Final matchup with Dayton back in 1967, which the team lost, 71-66. The Hokies head into this tourney as a five- seed despite losing five of their last nine regular-season games. Tech was able to defeat Wake Forest in the opening round of the ACC tournament, but suffered a 72-64 loss to NC State in the following round. Overall the Hokies went 21-11 on the season, but will need to get over early jitters if they want to advance to the second round to face either fourth-seed Southern Illinois or 13th-seed Holy Cross.
With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, Illinois has won both meetings, with the most recent win coming back in 1996 during the Big Island Invitational in Hawaii.
The Illini were one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation throughout the season and head into this matchup looking to use their defensive force in hopes of capturing a first round win. Illinois is currently surrendering just 57.1 ppg, while limiting teams to a 40.3 percent shooting effort from the floor and an equally bad 32.3 percent showing from behind the arc. The squad also forced over 500 turnovers and collected just over 200 steals on the season. Unfortunately, the Illini's only chance of winning is if the team performs well defensively, because at the other end of the floor Illinois has been dreadful. Since scoring 74 points against Iowa back on January 10th, the Illini have netted over 65 points just twice and in their most recent loss to Wisconsin, Illinois posted a pathetic 41 points. Overall the team is scoring only 64.5 ppg, and is shooting a mediocre 43.2 percent from the floor. Warren Carter has been the team's most reliable scorer, as the big man is netting 13.7 ppg, while grabbing 6.2 rpg and leading the team with 32 blocks. Shaun Pruitt is the only other player averaging double figures as the center is chipping in 11.6 ppg, while pacing the team with 7.6 rpg.
As for the Hokies, they have had virtually no problems at the offensive end of the floor. Virginia Tech does not dominate opponents on the scoreboard, but the team does play solid basketball and does not commit very many mistakes. On the year, the Hokies are producing 72.7 ppg, while shooting a healthy 47.2 percent from the field. The most impressive statistic this season for Tech has been its number of turnovers per contest, as the team is committing just 10.9 mistakes per game. Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon have formed into a tremendous backcourt duo and are one of the best tandems in the Big Dance. Dowdell is currently leading VaTech with 18 ppg, and has also dished out 104 on the season. As for Gordon, he is netting just 11.3 ppg, but the guard is leading the team with 146 assists and 86 steals. A.D. Vassallo, who is averaging 11.4 ppg, is the team's long range threat, as the guard is shooting a stellar 44.1 percent from behind the arc. Taking care of business down low is Deron Washington. Washington is netting just 11.8 ppg for the Hokies, but the big man is leading the squad with 5.4 rpg and 31 blocks.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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