College Basketball
College Hoops Preview: #3 Virginia Cavaliers vs #20 Virginia Tech Hokies
- Matchup: #3 Virginia Cavaliers (22-2, 10-2 ACC) at #20 Virginia Tech Hokies (20-5, 9-4 ACC)
- Date: February 18th, 2019
- Time: 7:00 pm EST
- Network: ESPN
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
- Venue: Cassell Coliseum
- Seating Capacity: 9,900
State of Virginia rivals go head to head
Tonight is the battle of two ACC powerhouses in the state of Virginia. In their first matchup, UVA put an 81-59 beatdown on Virginia Tech. Now, the Hokies will welcome the Cavaliers to Cassell Coliseum to exact revenge for their earlier defeat.
Virginia has the best defense in the nation
When many think of UVA, the first words that come to mind is defense, defense, and more defense. It’s not hard to see why the Cavaliers are ranked third when they boast the top defense in the nation. Tony Bennett’s men hold opponents to 54.4 points per game. Sometimes, teams score that amount of points in a half.
In the past, all UVA had to hang their hat on was its defense. This season, the Cavaliers know how to get buckets. Junior guard Kyle Guy (15.1 ppg) knows how to fill it up from deep (43.6% 3pt), and Sophomore guard De’Andre Hunter (15.0 ppg) has the all-around game needed to make the Cavaliers offense highly effective. Also, Junior guard Ty Jerome gets in on the offensive action, averaging 13.0 ppg.
UVA has been able to beat every team on their schedule not named Duke. Both losses have come to the Blue Devils, and Bennett will be hoping his squad can continue to mow down the competition.
Virginia Tech is just as competent on defense
Like their state of Virginia rivals, the Hokies specialize in putting the clamps on opponents. Virginia Tech’s defense ranks 10th in the nation, holding opponents to 61.1 ppg. More than likely, if Tech is to pull off the upset, the team has to find a way to score early — and often.
Offensively, the Hokies are going to have to score points, and they have a three-headed monster in the backcourt who knows how to rack up the points. Sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes the country of Canada proud with his stellar play this season. He leads Tech in scoring, averaging 16.9 ppg, and he’s an efficient scorer, shooting over 50% from the field. Alexander-Walker receives help, in the backcourt, from the senior guard combo Justin Robinson (14.4 ppg) and Ahmed Hill (12.9 ppg).
In addition to the guards doing work, Junior forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. holds down the paint for Tech. He crashes the boards (6.7 rebounds per game), and he provides consistent scoring in the paint (14.0 ppg). If the Hokies are to win, all four players have to step up big offensively.
This month, Tech has suffered disappointing conference losses to Louisville and Clemson. Currently, Buzz Williams has his men back on track after two straight conference wins against Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh. He’ll be hoping to lead the Hokies to a third straight win against a tough Cavaliers squad.
Can Virginia Tech avenge its earlier loss or will UVA prevail once again?
UVA ran Virginia Tech off the court in the first matchup. Expect a closer game this time around with UVA coming out on top once again. Guy, Hunter, and Jerome will score enough to lead the Cavaliers to victory. The Hokies will be motivated early to avenge their earlier loss, but UVA’s defensive pressure in the second half will wear them down.
Prediction:
UVA: 70
Virginia Tech: 62
Follow us on YouTube and Twitter
Photo Credit
@UVAMensHoops via Twitter
Written by Ryan Gayle
