Green's Superb Season to be Recognized at Senior Night

There will be only one player honored at the Virginia Tech basketball team’s “Senior Night” on Saturday.

However, given the importance of that senior, it’s appropriate that he’ll have the whole night to himself.

Erick Green will suit up for his last home game at Cassell Coliseum when the Hokies take on the Clemson Tigers, and the night is sure to be bittersweet for the nation’s current leading scorer and the team’s unquestioned leader.

Erick Green will play his final game at Cassell Coliseum on Saturday.

“He's not trying to be the leading scorer in the nation, he wants to win, and he makes the right basketball play out there,” said head coach James Johnson. “That's just the type of player he is and the type of person he is.”

Although the team is having its worst season since the program joined the ACC in 2004, Green’s leadership has helped keep the team optimistic.

“I've got senior leadership with Erick Green and the way he's played, and the way he's stayed positive throughout the whole time,” Johnson said. “He's tried to talk with guys and keep them upbeat, so I wasn't really worried about losing them at any point during this.”

While his leadership off the court may be valuable, his sublime 24.9 points per game have singlehandedly buoyed the offense, and have even put him in the conversation for winning ACC Player of the Year.

“I’ve always said I’ll let my game do the talking,” Green said. “It would be a great honor to be (player of the year).”

Beyond his impressive point total, observers have praised his development as a playmaker at the point guard position.

“I’m making the right plays, finding the right guys,” Green said. “I feel like I’m being really unselfish.”

Even opposing coaches in the league can’t help but notice Green’s excellence.

“He's just having a sensational year,” said Miami head coach Jim Larranaga. “I think he certainly has to get consideration (for the award) because of the kind of year he's having.”

Larranaga’s Hurricanes dismantled the Hokies on Wednesday, winning 76-58, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort by Green.

“He's distributing the ball, and getting his teammates involved,” Larranaga said. “He's just a handful for everybody.”

Despite his personal accomplishments, the biggest obstacle to Green’s success has been his teammates’ constant struggles.

Although forward C.J. Barksdale has scored in double figures for three straight games, Green hasn’t had much help in carrying the scoring load.

“I think (Green’s) assist numbers would have been there had the guys been shooting the ball a little better throughout the season around him,” Johnson said.

Green is hesitant to criticize his teammates, but he’s still undeniably frustrated by the season’s outcome.

“It just boils down to paying attention,” Green said. “We go over the same thing every single game and I’m just so frustrated.”

Considering that the Tigers beat the Hokies by seven the last time the teams faced each other, his teammates will have to step up to make Green’s final home game memorable.

Yet, despite these many challenges, Green still has faith.

“I’m not going to say there’s no hope because I believe in this team,” he said. “I’m sure a lot of people don’t, but I do.”