Miami at Virginia Tech Preview and Prediction
By Tim Thomas
Feb 8, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Devin Wilson (11) handles the ball as Pittsburgh Panthers guard Josh Newkirk (13) defends during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 62-57 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech has one win in the ACC and that came back in December when the Hokies went on the road and beat the Miami Hurricanes which at the time put them at the top of the ACC. The Hokies have lost 10-straight games now with their last win in 2013 after the Hokies played a tough game at Pittsburgh but lost in a double overtime thriller. The Hokies showed a lot of life last week and the lack of a mid-week game gave the Hokies a chance to recharge.
The Hokies have a massive showdown coming up against arch rival Virginia on Tuesday in Cassell Coliseum which could be a chance to salvage their season from being another complete nightmare. However, the Hokies need to start winning games and not be looking ahead to the future. Today’s showdown with Miami gives the Hokies a good chance to get their first home ACC win this season while also ending their 10-game losing streak.
Both of these teams are below-average shooting teams so if anyone gets hot today for either team, they are sure to be a difference maker. The man who might be able to do that is freshman point guard Devin Wilson who has had a couple big games this season. Wilson will be up against another freshman in Manu Lecomte who is only averaging 0.6 steals per game. Wilson also has a 5-inch height advantage and Wilson will have plenty of opportunities to put up tons of points and dish the ball around.
Dec 8, 2013; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Jarell Eddie (31) is pressured by Miami Hurricanes guard Rion Brown (15) during the first half at BankUnited Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest matchup of this game will be between each team’s leading scorer with Miami’s 6’6” guard Rion Brown likely to be matched up against 6’7” small forward Jarell Eddie. Eddie has been dangerous from beyond the arc including against Pittsburgh when Eddie made 5 of his 12 three-point shots. Brown is also solid from beyond the arc but Brown is more of a slashing guard on top of being a very good free throw shooter. Eddie and Brown are both good rebounders so this should be a great matchup to watch.
Joey Van Zegeren is a tough player to go against in the post and Van Zegeren will have a productive game against the Hurricanes. Trevor Thompson will also have another solid game and show how the future for the Hokies is quite bright while Cadarian Raines won’t have as good of a game. Miami’s Donovan Kirk will be slowed and the Hokies will dominate in the post. This is a great chance for the Hokies to get another win and that is exactly what Virginia Tech will do.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 61, Miami 55
Do you think the Hokies will win or will they lose their 11th straight game?
Follow us on Twitter @FightingGobbler and sign up for our newsletter for latest news and analysis on the Hokies.