Delaney tougher under pressure

-- BLACKSBURG If you push Malcolm Delaney, count on getting pushed back. If you lean into him and rest your elbow in his ribs when he is dribbling, count on Delaney responding in kind.

"You've got to," he said. "You can't just let people pressure you. That's how you handle pressure. You've got to create space some kind of way."

Delaney is a point guard, shooting guard and all-around tough guard and leader for Virginia Tech. Tight defenses don't bother him. Close games don't rattle him. He's capable of elevating his game to meet the moment.

If the Hokies are to do well enough this season to advance to the NCAA tournament, Delaney has to take control of the offense and lead them there.

That's what he did yesterday against the University of Virginia.

The Baltimore native had 24 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. But more than anything, he controlled the offense. He saw openings that many other guards would have missed and got teammates the ball. He created angles on the perimeter that enabled him to spin sharp bounce passes into the post.

There were moments when the hard-nosed defense of the Cavaliers appeared to irritate him, but Delaney did not lose his poise. Instead, he played just as hard.

No one confused the action on the court with an episode of Dancing with the stars.

Two Virginia players discovered a just how hard it is to pressure Delaney in the backcourt. First Sammy Zeglinski, then Calvin Baker ran into solid screens set by Jeff Allen as they tried to keep up with Delaney.

The Cavalier players wound up on the floor, clutching their faces as the crowd let out roars worthy of the Romans in the Coliseum .

"He didn't do anything illegal," Baker said of Allen. "It was just solid, and he's big. I know it probably looked worse than what it was. It was a legal screen, so you can't be too mad at it."

If there was anything the Cavaliers would like to see declared illegal, it's the play of Delaney. He was as strong at the end of the game as he was at the beginning. That was quite an accomplishment because Delaney played 37 of the 40 minutes of game time.

"He's got a good release on his shot," Baker said. "He has a quick first step, can finish around the basket and get to the free throw line.

"He's real smart. He knows how to create space and draw a foul. You've got to play him honest. He's a real good offensive player."

Making things doubly difficult is that Delaney, 6-2 175, is two offensive players in one.

"He's got a two-guard's mentality and a point-guard's game and that makes him very, very dangerous," said Virginia coach Dave Leitao.

Delaney was not the Hokies leading scorer yesterday. That honor went to A.D. Vassallo, who had 29 points. Vassallo had six points in the final 18 seconds he made all four of his free throws in that stretch to hold off a furious Virginia comeback.

But it was the tough, gritty game of Delaney that enabled Virginia Tech to build that lead and force Virginia into that furious comeback.

Delaney, a sophomore, averaged nine points per game last season. He's at 17 points per game and counting this season.

"I'm more aggressive this year," Delaney said. "I'm a lot more comfortable. Last year, I did a lot more shooting. This year, I'm doing a lot more in transition and attacking the basket."

Leitao liked Delaney better last year.

"He's become, in a very short period of time, a very good player," Leitao said. "Seventeen points a game in this league is top-notch."

This was just the Hokies second ACC game of the season. If Delaney maintains his scoring average, his leadership role and his relentless play, there will be no way to describe his effort other than top notch.

If yesterday is any indication, Delaney will be nothing less.
Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or .