Hokies could use a little luck at Florida State college hoops today.(Sports) go to site florida state college
The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA) January 16, 2010 By Mark Viera The Washington Post BLACKSBURG Before leaving his house Wednesday, Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg stashed a troll doll in his pocket. His wife, Karen, was sick and couldn’t attend the Hokies’ 81-66 drubbing of No. 23 Miami that night, so she was there in spirit in the form of that miniature toy.
Greenberg and Virginia Tech might need the lucky charm tonight . The Hokies (13-2, 1-1) visit No. 25 Florida State (13-4, 1-2) to cap a week in which they not only opened ACC play, but also played three straight ranked opponents.
Tonight’s game also will highlight the difficulty of playing away from home in a relentless conference. Since joining the ACC in the 2004-05 season, Virginia Tech has lost all four of its games at Florida State. In that time, North Carolina State is the only other conference opponent the Hokies have never defeated on the road (0-3).
In this young season, ACC teams are 101-12 at home overall, including 13-3 in conference games.
“There are going to be times in a game where you’re going to be either offensively challenged or have a lack of focus,” Greenberg said. “When you’re at home, the ownership the home crowd has in their team helps you get through those moments; there’s a momentum boost. When you’re on the road, you don’t get that.” Aside from trips to Florida State and N.C. State, Virginia Tech recently has had some success away from Cassell Coliseum. Last season, for instance, the Hokies went on the road and defeated No. 1 Wake Forest in January and No. 12 Clemson in February. go to site florida state college
Unlike some teams, Virginia Tech typically practices at its home gym the morning before an away game and travels that afternoon to its opponent’s campus for a walk-through. Other teams practice on the opponent’s campus the day before a game.
“I think I have better practices here,” said Greenberg, whose record in ACC road games is 14-27 in seven seasons at Virginia Tech. “I have greater control.” On game day, the team typically has breakfast together before a morning shoot-around. After that, the players eat lunch, watch film and rest before heading to the game. At the arena, players often walk into a hostile environment, and it is difficult to prepare for that.
“When you’re away, it seems like everything is against you,” junior guard Terrell Bell said. “You have to work that much harder to come out on top.” For the Hokies, traveling to Florida State has been especially difficult, a point that Greenberg said he would stress to his players .
“My thing is I like to create causes and stir it up a little,” Greenberg said of how he challenges his team to play on the road. “One of the causes is they’ve whacked us for four straight years down there. There’s a pride thing.” Florida State is 8-1 at home overall but 0-1 at home in conference play. The Seminoles lost at Maryland on Sunday and to N.C. State on Wednesday .
Although Florida State is long and deep, it lacks an offensive identity after the departure of guard Toney Douglas, who averaged 21.5 points per game last year. Defensive pressure from Maryland and N.C. State ruined the Seminoles’ flow.
Despite the X’s and O’s and the coaches’ motivational tack, Florida State hasn’t been a fun place to visit for Virginia Tech. And with the Hokies trying to steal a road win in the tangled ACC, Greenberg might be wise to carry the troll figurine on Saturday for good luck.
CAPTION(S):
don peterson | the associated press Tech coach Seth Greenberg, whose team has lost the last four years at Florida State, is 14-27 in ACC road games.
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