Greivis Vasquez should be tough for Hokies

When Virginia Tech Coach Seth Greenberg was asked recently what concerns him about Maryland, he replied, "Don't have enough time."

But one big reason the Hokies' coach is concerned is because of Terrapins guard Greivis Vasquez. With an unconventional style, Vasquez will be a difficult match up for Virginia Tech on Saturday at Cassell Coliseum.

"He’s got a European game; he plays against the grain," Greenberg said of Vasquez. "He’s a little different."

Greenberg noted how Virginia Tech's defenders needed to stay in front of Vasquez when guarding him. Vasquez does a good job penetrating and kicking it out to open shooters on the perimeter or using his effective runner in the lane.

Vasquez is first in Atlantic Coast Conference in assists, averaging 7 assists in league games. He is also second in scoring in league games (20.7 points per game). Virginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney is first in that category (21.8 points per game).

Vasquez plays an aggressive brand of basketball, and is an emotional, even brash, player. He is a quirky guard with an up-tempo style of play that can sometimes boarder on recklessness. But Greenberg saw plenty of positives in Vasquez that cause him to worry.

"You've got to stay in front of him," Greenberg said, "and you go to contest him."