Coming off yet another tough loss, the Hokies will be back in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday to take on the Longwood Lancers. Longwood is a second year Division I program who on paper will not give Tech any trouble. However, they are probably more advanced for a second year program than anyone could reasonably expect.

Longwood is 5-4 on the year, with wins over UVA-Wise, Gardner-Webb, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Delaware State and James Madison. Their losses have come against Norfolk State, West Virginia, Kentucky and Southeast Missouri State. Here is a look at their projected starting lineup.

Longwood Starting Lineup
Pos Name Ht Wt Year PPG RPG APG
G Durann Neil 6-1 185 So. 7.1 1.9 3.4
G Ryan Bogan 6-1 200 Sr. 14.2 4.4 2.1
G Kevin Swecker 6-1 180 Jr. 9.6 2.1 1.7
F Dana Smith 6-5 225 Jr. 16.4 7.3 1.9
F Billy Robinson 6-7 200 Jr. 5.3 4 0.4


The Lancers have a couple of quality players in that lineup. Dana Smith isn't a great shooter, only hitting 11.8% of his three-point attempts this year. However, he has a very strong build and can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He is Longwood's top player this year, though Ryan Bogan isn't far behind.

Bogan is Longwood's top three-point shooter. He is 20-of-54 (37%) on the year, and he isn't afraid to put them up from the outside. Bogan is a junior college transfer in his second year in the program.

The third starting guard, Kevin Swecker, has played well for Longwood this year. He's a solid spot-up shooter, though he's not going to wow anyone with this athleticism.

Longwood uses two players at their center spot, which is basically just a small forward. Billy Robinson gets the start there on most occasions, but Antwan Williams has been impressive there as a freshman thus far, averaging 5.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The Hokies should be able to dominate on the inside against Longwood. This is easily the smallest team they've faced this season.

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The Lancers could potentially have some major help back for this game. Last season's leading scorer, Kirk Williams, has missed every game thus far due to academics. Longwood's first semester is now over, so Williams could be eligible as soon as Sunday's game at Virginia Tech. We'll have to wait and see whether or not he takes the court.

Williams averaged 16.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists last year. Over the final 13 games of the season, he raised his game even more, averaging 17.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Williams is long and athletic, and though he's not a great shooter, he is Longwood's best player when he is on the court.

Longwood is not a great shooting team overall. Through nine games, they are shooting just 40.4% from the field and 27.9% from three-point range.

The Lancers have committed 129 turnovers this year. However, their opponents have turned the ball over 177 times. Longwood is forcing nearly 20 turnovers per game. They have a small, quick lineup that can get in the passing lanes.

Despite how well they force turnovers, Longwood doesn't appear to have the horses on the inside to be able to knock off the Hokies. Players like Jeff Allen and Victor Davila should be able to have big games on the inside, and none of the Lancers' perimeter defenders can matchup with the size and strength of A.D. Vassallo.