VT vs FSU Preview

Virginia Tech and Florida State meet for the second time this season as the Noles visit Blacksburg Saturday afternoon for a 3pm tip-off. The previous meeting between these two programs was a hard fought game in which FSU prevailed with an 11 point victory, 85-76. In that game, Florida State was able to take advantage of open shot opportunities as they ended the game hitting 52% from the field and 50% from behind the arc.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It&#39;s gameday in Blacksburg. See this afternoon <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HokieNation?src=hash">#HokieNation</a> <a href="http://t.co/aTCWFHlPsD">pic.twitter.com/aTCWFHlPsD</a></p>&mdash; VT Men&#39;s Basketball (@VT_MBBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/VT_MBBall/status/564068830842871808">February 7, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Florida State's led by four players who are scoring in double digits on the season with Aaron Thomas averaging 14.8 points per game and Xavier Rathan-Mayes averaging 13.8 points per game. As a team the Seminoles are averaging 35 rebounds per game, which could play a huge factor in the outcome of today's matchup.

Virginia Tech is coming off of an extremely tough 2 point loss on the road at Syracuse, a game in which the Hokies led by double digits with only a few minutes to go. Although the loss was frustrating and disappointing this team is able to compete with any team on a given night and will need the same intensity for the rest of their ACC schedule.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hokies?src=hash">#Hokies</a> guard Adam Smith: &quot;I just think Cassell&#39;s a hard place to play in when you have the crowd rocking. We feed off that energy.&quot;</p>&mdash; Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) <a href="https://twitter.com/RTD_MikeBarber/status/563803083000774657">February 6, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Virginia Tech Keys to Success:

• Stay focused for 40 minutes. The Hokies had too many defensive lapses late in the game against WF last weekend and Syracuse on Tuesday night.
• Rebound as a team. The Hokies had some success against Syracuse on the glass because all 5 players attacked the glass to limit second chance opportunities, which will be key today.
• Contest FSU jump shots. In the first meeting the Hokies were not able to run the Seminoles off the 3 point line, which allowed for too many open jump shots.

Television