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On Wednesday the Hokies lost their fourth game of the season. A disappointing, and surprising result, against Pittsburgh, but when you step back and look at the season as a whole it’s a reminder of just how well this team was performed this year. Luckily, they’ve responded each time with a win the next time out and have a chance to quickly get back on track as they head to Florida on Saturday.
The loss moved Tech to 7-3 in the ACC and now at 1.5 games behind Virginia, they cannot afford any more conference defeats if they hope to win the league title outright. When the Hokies played the Hurricanes earlier this year they allowed five players to reach double-digit points. Something Mike Young will know he needs to address after allowing Pittsburgh 83 points, the most by the Hokies defense this season. Here’s what to know heading into the Saturday lunchtime tip-off.
Big time win for the Panthers, taking down No. 16 Virginia Tech 83-72!@Pitt_MBB | #ACCMBBpic.twitter.com/jjX3b77REH
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) February 4, 2021
Saturday, February 6th, 2021
Match-up: Virginia Tech (13-4 | 7-3) vs. Miami (7-10 | 3-9)
Venue: Watsco Center (Coral Gables, FL)
Time: 12:00 pm ET
TV: RSN / Virginia Tech Sports Network
Radio: TuneIn Radio
Live stats: HokieSports
ESPN Favorite: 72.6% for the Hokies.
All-time series: 18-24 in favor of Miami.
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) February 4, 2021
Send us your @accmbb power rankings for a chance to be featured on tomorrow's #PackerAndDurham pic.twitter.com/DtzkEMYfAG
Stat Leaders
Scoring: Aluma (VT - 15.7) & Wong (Miami - 17.3)
Rebounds: Aluma (VT - 7.7) & Brooks (Miami - 6.1)
Assists: Bede (VT - 2.8) & Beverly (Miami - 3.4)
In the first meeting this season the Hokies won by two at home, after dropping both contests against the Hurricanes last season. Since then Miami has gone 3-7 in ACC play, but are coming off a win over Duke in their last game. Six of their seven wins this season have come at home and they will be confident that they can reverse the earlier game against the Hokies, especially after Tech’s most recent display.
Guard Elijah Olaniyi had a big night against Duke going for 21, so without Tyrece Radford once again, Wabissa Bede will need to lock him down. On the attack, Keve Aluma continues to thrive in his debut season in Blacksburg, but as Wednesday night reminded us, he can’t do it alone. Nahiem Alleyne and Jalen Cone need to bounce back to take the pressure off the Hokies’ big man. Tech needs to spread the scoring and/or fix their defensive errors against Pittsburgh. After this game, the team will have a week off after the Florida State contest next week was postponed due to COVID cases within the Seminoles program.
Prediction
Virginia Tech - 76
Miami - 65