Published: March 25, 2008 10:53 pm      

Sixth man key to NIT run

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Malcolm Delaney was a little worried about fatigue after Virginia Tech’s 75-49 NIT second round win over Alabama-Birmingham.

However, it wasn’t the Hokies that the Virginia Tech freshman was worried about. How about the 9,757 fans that packed Cassell Coliseum on Monday night?

“They were loud the whole game, every defensive possession everybody was standing up and every free throw everybody was standing up,” said Delaney, who contributed 17 points and four assists in the 26-point rout of the Blazers. “I think they’ve got some tired legs because they really didn’t sit down during the game.

“It was probably one of the craziest atmospheres I’ve ever played in.”

It’s the ‘other’ tournament, the consolation prize for not being invited to the NCAA Tournament. You’d never know it at Virginia Tech, which also drew 9,628 for a 32-point blowout of Morgan State in an NIT opening round contest.

“That crowd was absolutely unbelievable, that was as good an atmosphere as I have ever been involved with,” Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg said. “I can’t imagine a place with greater energy and a greater sense of purpose in terms of getting behind their team.”

Not much is expected to change tonight, as the Hokies (21-13) host Mississippi (23-10) at 7 p.m. The winner — which will be determined in an ESPN2 telecast — will qualify for the NIT semifinals next week in New York against either Ohio State or Dayton.

“It’s passion and ownership, that’s the potential of Virginia Tech,” Greenberg said. “The thing that makes Virginia Tech special to me is the tremendous ownership that the students, alums and community have in the university, and we’re just part of that.

“I really do feel like we have a relationship with the students and a relationship with the community and I really do appreciate it. It’s not that way everywhere. People didn’t think it could be that way here, but they have allowed us to be part of their social schedule.”

Deron Washington will play one final home game tonight, one of just two seniors on a team with a seemingly bright future ahead. Greenberg played five freshman together for a two-minute portion of the first half.

“When I first got here (as a freshman) the atmosphere was totally different, it was good then, but it’s just great now,” said Washington, who contributed 16 points against the Blazers, including one of his trademark high-flying dunks. “The fans were there before the game, chanting the whole game, and once the game started, the level raises and I think that picks up the intensity of our play also.

“I love playing at home. Our crowd is always there backing us up and we just play great at home.”

While Ole Miss (23-10) had to go overtime to beat Nebraska 85-75, the Hokies have won two NIT contests by a total of 58 points. Mississippi is 16-0 against non-conference foes this season, led by Chris Warren and Dwayne Curtis, both of whom average about 15 points a game. The Rebels are coached by former DePaul mentor Andy Kennedy.

Virginia Tech is led by three double figure scorers, including A.D. Vassallo, who led the Hokies with 18 points — including four of the team’s 3-pointers — in the win over the Blazers.

“It’s great that we’re rested and it’s great that we are at home, but that doesn’t guarantee anything,” Greenberg said. “There is no magic in the Cassell, the magic comes from how these guys play and how hard they play and how much they trust each other and how much they embrace each other’s roles.”

While the Hokies have played well in recent weeks, compiling a 7-2 mark in their last nine games, Greenberg knows that must continue against the Rebels.

“Nothing is forever, but you would hope we can come out and play well on Wednesday,” said Greenberg, whose Hokies reached back-to-back 20-win season for the first time since 1996. “You have to play well to win at this level and at this time in the season, you can’t have a bad game or you’re going home.

“I like the way we’re playing, we’re playing with a lot of confidence which I want them to play with. I think we’re playing with a lot of trust, I think our roles are pretty well defined and I think we’re competing a pretty high level and we’re getting a contribution from a lot of different guys...

“I’m really proud and now we’ve got to turn around in 48 hours and play another game, which is pretty exciting.”

For many, a trip to the NIT is a downer, an admission that the ultimate goal wasn’t reached. Don’t tell that to the Hokies.

“I’m not really worried about what people are saying right now, we’re just coming out, playing freed up, and I think our fans have got our back and we’ve got their back,” Delaney said. “As long as they’ve got our back, we’re going to come out and play hard.

“That’s what they expect us to do and that’s what we’re going to keep doing.”

—Contact Brian Woodson

at bwoodson@bdtonline.com