Hokies Keep Hopes Alive

Virginia Tech lives to fight another day. Or maybe even a few more weeks. The Hokies just beat the Hurricanes of Miami in the Quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament and made their case for their NCAA Tournament Bid. And they didn't do it quietly.

Even though the final score of 63:49 indicates that the contest was everything but pretty or interesting, for me it was a joy to watch these two teams go at each other with full force and flying banners. It was as physical a game I can remember in recent weeks, yes maybe months. Players were knocking each other down, fighting for every ball and put their bodies on the line at both ends of the floor. There were tons of moments where you could have called the foul but the refs did a great job of letting these kids play and in the end decide the game themselves. That's the way it should be. Maybe the Big East Officials can watch a tape of this game and maybe next time they don't destroy the entire flow of almost every Tourney game they officiate.

Seth Greenberg's Hokies prevailed in the end because they just wanted the game a little bit more and were a little more determined. With their big guy Jeff Allen in the middle and ultra athletic Deron Washington, the Hokies pounded the Canes on the boards and put the game away late in the second half. Seeing this fight, this physicality and this emotion from a team that had everything on the line... well, throw away all your stupid RPIs, ESPN takes or Hubert Davis' opinions. The Hokies will dance this season!

A little note in the end: It didn't hurt that I bet on the Hokies today!