BLACKSBURG, Va.– So, this thing is really going to happen.
Three hours after the originally schedule start time it seems we are about an hour away from having basketball at Cassell Coliseum.
The P.A. announcer periodically reminds fans of the three water main breaks that have robbed the arena of water services. Fans will be allowed to leave the building to use the restrooms.
It’s just the latest in what has been a pretty screwy season for the Terps schedule-wise. They started the ACC season by playing two games in three days and a snow out a few weeks ago forced the Terps to play three games in five days at one point earlier this month. This situation is clearly a little different, but we’ll see what coach Gary Williams has to say about this. (But here’s betting he says something about not using it as an excuse.)
But, on to the game.
The Hokies are 14-0 at home this season, including 6-0 in conference play. The Terps haven’t won in this building in 19 years, dropping their last three decisions at Cassell Coliseum.
But the Terps are hot, winners of six of seven to seize a comfortable hold on the conference’s second spot. Virginia Tech has lost two straight by double figures, including a confounding 80-60 loss at Boston College on Wednesday. Both of those games were on the road.
While the Terps have waited out the start of this one, their position in the ACC has improved thanks to North Carolina’s win at Wake Forest. With a win, the Terps will lock up one of the top two spots in the ACC Tournament. The Hokies are currently in a third place tie with Florida State at 8-5 in ACC play.
It will be interesting to see how the teams deal with the extended wait time as the Terps try for their fourth ACC road win of the season and add another impressive win to their rapidly burgeoning tournament resume.
I know it’s been a long day, just stick it out with us. Continue to follow the game here at www.diamondbackonline.com and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/DBKSports.
Eric Detweiler is The Diamondback’s Terrapin Men’s Basketball Team beat writer. He can be reached at edetweilerdbk@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/edetweiler.