Kenny Brooks shares keys to limiting LSU's rebounding during Final Four matchup

As Virginia Tech managed to jump out to a lead against LSU in the Final Four Friday night, the Hokies had an advantage in one important area. Through the first three quarters, they controlled the glass — and Kenny Brooks said that’s huge for containing the Tigers.

Through three quarters, Virginia Tech had a 33-25 rebounding advantage over LSU, including 12-10 on the offensive glass. The Tigers are one of the better rebounding teams in the country, but Brooks said the Hokies can keep up, as well. That’s why the goal wasn’t to keep LSU off the boards entirely.

Brooks wanted his team to limit the Tigers.

“We’re not bad ourselves,” Brooks told ESPN’s Holly Rowe of Virginia Tech’s rebounding ability. “When we lock in and we focus, that’s one of the many things that we can do. That was a point of emphasis coming into the game. If we wanted to give ourselves a chance to win, we had to limit — we can’t eliminate, we had to limit — their second-chance opportunities. So far, so good, but we have a quarter to go.”

Virginia Tech entered the matchup averaging 37.5 rebounds per game, including 10.4 on the offensive glass. LSU, meanwhile, averaged 47.2 rebounds per game entering Friday and 17.2 offensive boards per contest. Angel Reese has been the driving force for the Tigers with 15.7 rebounds on average, but was contained pretty well through the first three quarters.

Kenny Brooks on 10-second violation against Kayana Traylor: That was my fault

In the third quarter, Virginia Tech guard Kayana Traylor was called for a 10-second violation for failing to get the ball across center court in time. However, during his interview with Rowe, Brooks took the fall for that whistle. He said he was trying to communicate to Traylor and took too long to call out a play.

That said, he had a message for her after the violation was called. She and the Hokies had to move on and keep playing their game.

“That 10-second call was my fault,” Brooks said. “I had her attention and I was calling out a play, and she was looking at me and didn’t get it across. I told her that was my fault. Let’s shake it off, let’s go. I told you guys before, she’s as good as anybody on our team. We want her to play, play loose, play free. She’s doing that.”