Miami Hurricanes upset Virginia Tech, 70-65 at the ACC Tournament

By Adam Gold
Mar 12, 2010

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Virginia Tech seems to be very solidly inside the NCAA Tournament field -- 10 league wins, even this year out to be more than enough -- while Miami is just trying to extend their season. The Hurricanes jack-hammered Wake Forest yesterday as Reggie Johnson pulled off the mini-Laettner with an 8 for 8 from the field, 6 for 6 from the line performance in a career high 22 point effort. Meanwhile, the Hokies come to Greensboro as a very dangerous team. Malcom Delaney is more than capable of doing a Randolph Childress this weekend and moving the Hokies way up the NCAA seed board.

They split their regular season meetings, with each team winning on their home court. I think the key will be whether Jeff Allen comes to play. If the mercurial Hokie big man is on his game, the Hokies will advance. If Allen is handled by Miami's interior, this is going to be a fight.

4:26 The 12th seeded Miami Hurricanes are headed to the semi finals of the ACC Tournament after beating V#$ seeded Virginia Tech Friday afternoon in Greensboro, 70-65. Malcom Delaney, the conference's leading scorer at 22 points per game in league play, was held to just 7 points as the Hokies now have to wait and waitch what the NCAA selection committee decides to do about seeding within the tournament. Durand Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half to help the Hurricanes take their second game this year from Virginia Tech.

4:20...to reiterate regarding VT and the NCAA tournament; there's no question that the Hokies will dance, but a loss to the #12 ACC seed coupled with one of the worst Non Conference schedules in United States history would definitely impact their seeding. VT ball after a time out.

4:13...A Jeff Allen free throw after the 4th Terrell Bell 3-pointer of the day gave the Hokiesa brief lead, but Durand Scott has scored 8 straight for the Canes and they lead it by 1 with about 90 seconds left.

4:08...Good thing that Jeff Allen is picking up the slack. While Delaney sleeps and Dorenzo Hudson has gone silent after 15 first half points, Allen's scored 15 of his game-high 17 points after the half to keep the Hokies afloat. Meanwhile, Miami's getting 14 from DeQuan Jones and 5 other players have scored at least 7 points as balance has been the order of the day for the Canes. down the stretch we come, Hokies. NCAA seeding is on the line here, can't afford a loss to the #12 ACC seed.

4:05...Never thought that Malcom Delaney would be a no-show today for VT, but he appears to be going through the motions today. Just 7 points and he's missed a series of shots around the lane.

4:00...The Hurricanes just can't get over the hump though. They've had some possessions in which they could have claimed the lead including a DeQuan Jones free throw just moments ago. Miami ball.

3:52... Jeff Allen has started to pick up the pace for VT. Held scoreless for most of the first 20 minutes, he's got 13 points to finally provide Dorenzo Hudson some help. Hudson had 15 of his 16 points in the 1st as the Hokies took a 2-point lead into the break. DeQuan Jones has 13 for Miami and we've got a Reggie Johnson sighting, 5 points all in the 2nd half, after 22 yesterday.

3:44...STARBUCKS, PLEASE! Miami's held D.Hudson without a point in the half so far, and Delaney has just 7, well below his 22 ppg avg in ACC play. The Hurricanes are sticking around and you know they've got enough confidence to beat the Hokies as they beat them in Coral Gables earlier in the year. 51-48 Hokies, just under 12 to go.

3:35...2nd time today, Dorenzo Hudson has committed the player control foul. Miami hanging in despite a dozen turnovers and nothing at all from yesterday's hero, Reggie Johnson. Durham's Julian Gamble just scored his first bucket of the day and James Dews with the strip of Malcom Delaney and the lay up for his 8th point to pull the Canes within one. However, the second straight 3-ball from Terrell Bell pushes VT back out to a 47-43 lead with 14:26 left in regulation.

3:09..Welcome to the halftime break and Jeff Allen has peeled himself off the milk carton. Allen has 6 points in the last 5 or so minutes and the Hokies take a lead into the locker room. Dorenzo Hudson leads all scorers with 15 points, while JT Thompson has helped out VT's cause with 8. Miami's staying in the game in spite of 10 turnovers thanks in large part to the tandem of DeQuan Jones (11) and Cyrus McGowan (7) and a +7 rebounding edge. Statistical anomaly category: both teams are 15 for 29 from the field.

3:00...Comment on VT's NCAA tournament status...Hokies are 8-5 vs. the RPI top 100 and they won 10 ACC games. There's no question that the league isn't great and Tech's non-conference schedule was similar to that of Greensboro Dudley. But, they still have to take 31 at-large teams and the Hokies are not in any danger of missing this tournament in my view. That doesn't mean that they're going to love where they're seeded, mind you. As for the game, DeQuan Jones is keeping the Canes viable here with 9 points, but Miami's turned it over 8 times and dorenzo Hudson has 15 to lead all scorers. 3:58 left...VT 30-25 over Miami.

2:53...here's a quick observation about the atmosphere inside the G'Boro Coliseum: serene, peaceful, almost soothing. there's a woman reading a magazine behind me. Way too quiet for a basketball game. Meanwhile on the floor, not much has happened in the last 8-10 minutes. Hurricanes on a 7-2 run as DeQuan Jones has 7 points to lead the Canes...Hudson has 13 still for the Hokies, JT Thompson's added 6. 7:35 left in the half, Hokies 24, Hurricanes 19.

2:44...Okay, Frank, it's time for someone to check Hudson in this game. 13 points for the 3rd team all league sidekick to Malcom Delaney. Hokies knocking down 8 of 11 shots from the field and Miami's turned it over 7 times. 22-12 Hokies with 11:49 left in the 1st half...

2:35...Durham's Julian Gamble has a cheering section behind me, so I'll keep you posted on what's up with the Bull City faithful. Reggie Johnson already off to less than the start he had yesterday as his first shot sailed over the backboard -- no, it was not off the rim, it got there on the fly. Dorenzo Hudson has been star of stars so far with a pair of 3-balls and a pull-up in the lane for 8 early points as the Hokies lead it 12-7 with 15:16 left in the 1st...

Most Recent Comments

RE: Miami Hurricanes upset Virginia Tech, 70-65 at the ACC Tournament

Congratulations to Miami. Now if they'll just win one more, and do it in a few overtimes to WEAR THEM OUT!!!

Then NC State will have an easier time in the championship game on Sunday. :)
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

I hope State wins tonight, but I am erring on the side of caution.

RE: Miami Hurricanes upset Virginia Tech, 70-65 at the ACC Tournament

Congratulations to Miami. Now if they'll just win one more, and do it in a few overtimes to WEAR THEM OUT!!!

Then NC State will have an easier time in the championship game on Sunday. :)

RE: Miami Hurricanes upset Virginia Tech, 70-65 at the ACC Tournament

Congrat. Miami. Enjoy your time for tomorrow will be another day.

RE: Miami Hurricanes upset Virginia Tech, 70-65 at the ACC Tournament

Hey, you show up not ready to play, this is what happens. Great win for the 'Canes!!

RE: Miami Hurricanes upset Virginia Tech, 70-65 at the ACC Tournament

This is a pretty good game. I hate Miami, I don't care for VT. I'd rather Duke play Miami than VT though.
- Posted by Tizu

I know what you mean. I really hate Miami, but found myself cheering for them because tomorrow I would rather play a 12 seed which is tired from two days of playing.

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