Hoops looks to bounce back
By Scott Meuleners / Student Publications
Jarrett Jack scored 24 points and was 10 for 10 from the foul line, but it was not enough to down the Tarheels on their home floor.
Coming off of consecutive losses in North Carolina, Tech is looking to pick up their third ACC victory against Virginia Tech this Saturday at 4 p.m. in the friendly confines of Alexander Memorial Coliseum, where they are undefeated this year.
In splitting its first four ACC games, Tech has had to adjust to playing without B.J. Elder, the team's top scoring wing player. Elder's absence has pushed freshmen Anthony Morrow and Ra'Sean Dickey into a great deal of action in ACC play and has expanded the roles of several other players such as Mario West.
The Jackets have come to rely on the freshmen and expect production from them on a nightly basis.
" There's nothing catching us off guard, we're putting them in there to produce and Anthony Morrow and Ra'Sean Dickey are playing great minutes for us and hopefully they keep it up throughout league play, " said junior point guard Jarrett Jack.
This experience will undoubtedly prove helpful for the Jackets as the season progresses and these players are forced into tough situations, but the team has not looked the same without Elder in the lineup.
Jack has taken over the scoring load so far in ACC play, averaging 19 points per contest, but the team has seen the offense stagnate at times without Elder in the lineup.
In the two losses in North Carolina last week, Tech was guilty of committing 36 turnovers while only recording 20 assists. This is a particular point of concern as Head Coach Paul Hewitt has stressed that the team's offense is much better when the Jackets pass the ball well.
On the bright side, the Jackets showed signs of being a much tougher and stronger team, mounting a furious comeback against N.C. State that just fell short, an effort the team certainly hopes will carry over to tomorrow's game.
Although ACC newcomer Virginia Tech is expected to finish in the lower half of the conference, Tech must come out ready to play against the Hokies. The team features a balanced attack with five players averaging more than nine points per game. Virginia Tech won its first ever ACC game against Clemson on January 15th and played a tight game against Florida State in Tallahassee, which is one of the most difficult places to play in the league.
Although it will be a difficult contest for the Jackets, it is certain they will welcome a chance to come home and " get well " against Virginia Tech, both literally and figuratively.
It is anticipated that Elder will return to practice this week and could play against Virginia Tech, and a difficult series of games is ahead for Tech.
The Jackets must stay focused and not look ahead, but the squad certainly is aware of a matchup against highly-regarded Wake Forest as well as trips to Maryland and Duke looming in the near future.
