:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68584268/usa_today_15249503.0.jpg)
Happy Holidays Hokie Nation. Virginia Tech Basketball is back in action Tuesday as they turn their attention towards the ACC portion of their schedule. Up first is their old Big East, turned ACC rival, the Miami Hurricanes. The tandem of Keve Aluma and Wabissa Bede continues to lead the team and help set the tempo, but Jalen Cone’s back-to-back 18 point nights means that the Hokies now have four players averaging 10 or more points a game.
The Hokies will be without two contributors for the rest of the 20-21 season, with Cartier Diarra opting to sit out the season due to COVID-19 concerns & John Ojiako ruled out with a knee injury. [Update: Ojiako has been out this year recovering from his injury, but recently Mike Young noted he could be available in January, but wasn’t as far along as they had hoped.]. As a reminder, all players have received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA.
The Hurricanes have had mixed results this season - three wins over smaller non-conference opponents, topped Purdue in the ACC/BIG10 Challenge, but lost their ACC opener by 15 to Pittsburgh. Here’s the rundown for Tuesday’s game, including how to watch.
Happy Holidays from Virginia Tech men's basketball!#StoneByStone | #Hokies pic.twitter.com/C4egJ58cTw
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 25, 2020
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Matchup: Virginia Tech (7-1 | 1-0) vs. Miami (4-2 | 0-1)
Venue: Cassell Coliseum (Blacksburg, VA)
Time: 6:00 pm ET
TV: ACC Network
Radio: TuneIn Radio
Live stats: HokieSports
ESPN Favorite: 75.1% for the Hokies.
All-time series: 17-24 in favor of Miami.
'
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 23, 2020
The old guard (@Wabissa_B11, @Tyreceradford23) is finding their groove, while the young bucks are capitalizing on the moment during their limited playing time#StoneByStone | #Hokies pic.twitter.com/dgU5P81f6n
Stat Leaders
Scoring: Aluma (VT - 14.8) & Wong (Miami - 19.0)
Rebounds: Aluma (VT - 6.8) & Brooks (Miami- 7.0)
Assists: Bede (VT - 3.3) & Beverly (Miami - 4.0)
The Hokies lost both contests against the Hurricanes last season, including that triple-overtime winner in Blacksburg. The season before Tech topped Miami three times, home, away & in the ACC Tournament. The Hurricanes have six players averaging double-digit points, but that stat is deceiving, as key players such as Lykes & McGusty have been battling injuries. As such, the Hokies are expected to control the game. A win in Blacksburg on Tuesday evening will push VT to 2-0 in the ACC and 8-1 overall.