Mike Young applauds response after ‘gross’ defensive effort vs. Miami

Mike Young’s Virginia Tech team did not have a good defensive outing last week against Miami. In fact, Young called it “gross,” and that probably wasn’t that harsh.

The Hurricanes shot 58.3% from the field for the game with four players in double figures. Norchad Omier led Miami with 21 points and eight rebounds., Isaiah Wong scored 18 and Nijel Pack dropped 17. Jordan Miller also finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

But the Hokies bounced back against Virginia with a 74-68 victory. But Young was still talking about the Hurricanes after the win and how that game will impact them going forward.

“Miami is unbelievable,” Mike Young said after the game against the Cavaliers. “Their ball movement, Wong and Nigel Pack, it’s like watching a video game. But that’s absurd and it’s just not what we have put together here in four years. It’s not who we are. It’s unacceptable. I’m not going to not going to give you the the out that Miami is that talented offensively. They are I think (in) metrics — which you know I don’t care anything about — No. 10 in the country. I think that’s probably accurate. So yes, sir, a huge emphasis over the last couple of days.”

Virginia Tech is now 14-9 but 4-8 in the ACC. The team is going to need some continue playing like it did against rival Virginia to make their way back to the NCAA Tournament.

“We’re trying to make it back from the abyss, David. That’s a step ahead,” Young said. “We’ve got a ways to go, but yes. The term was the abyss and we were there. Let’s hope that we can continue to move in a positive direction.”