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Thanks to Duke’s win over UVA on Saturday night, Virginia Tech is now just one game back from the top of the ACC. However, the final standings will be a bit out of sort because each school will finish the regular season with a different number of games. Now after a lengthy delay that has seen the last three Tech games called off, are we finally about to see their return to the court Tuesday night?
Speaking of potential returns, it’s been nearly a month since Tech suspended guard Tyrece Radford. Coach Mike Young has indicated that there is a path back to the team for Radford, but will that be this season? Tyrece’s return would be a huge boost heading into the ACC and hopefully NCAA Tournament, but obviously he needs to first meet the benchmarks the coach has put forth.
For now, let’s move forward as if we will actually have a game Tuesday night. Here’s a quick rundown of what to know as the Hokies host Georgia Tech.
Coach has racked up four ranked wins this season & led us to our best-ever start in ACC playhttps://t.co/f6U8DrHv29
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) February 19, 2021
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021
Match-up: Virginia Tech (14-4 | 8-3) vs. Georgia Tech (11-8 | 7-6)
Venue: Cassell Coliseum (Blacksburg, VA)
Time: 7:00 pm ET
TV: RSN / Virginia Tech Sports Network
Radio: TuneIn Radio
Live stats: HokieSports
ESPN Favorite: 65.4% for the Hokies.
All-time series: 20-7 in favor of Virginia Tech.
ATTENDANCE UPDATE!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 19, 2021
NCAA to allow limited fan attendance at DI MBB NCAA Tournament! #MarchMadness
https://t.co/YFlndZLyxY pic.twitter.com/M3QzsYXvcn
Stat Leaders
Scoring: Aluma (VT - 15.7) & Alvarado (Georgia Tech - 16.7)
Rebounds: Aluma (VT - 7.6) & Wright (Georgia Tech - 7.5)
Assists: Bede (VT - 3.0) & Alvarado (Georgia Tech - 4.2)
Last season the Hokies lost their only matchup against the Yellow Jackets, by 19 points. Prior to that VT had won six straight and 10 of the last 13 games dating back to the 2010-2011 season. Georgia Tech has had an up-and-down season. An early-season win over a then-ranked Kentucky doesn’t look the same now. But they’ve had quality ACC wins over UNC, Clemson, and a big win over ACC leaders Florida State. They may be just 3-5 in their last eight games, but any side that beat FSU by 11 and crushes Miami by 27 needs to be taken seriously.
The Hokies close out the regular season with three of their four remaining contests against schools in the bottom half of the ACC. But we can’t look ahead too much, especially this season. A win on Tuesday keeps Tech in the hunt for a regular-season ACC title, as well as the NCAA Tournament.
Prediction
Virginia Tech - 74
Georgia Tech - 70