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Virginia Tech Hokies vs Appalachian State Preview and Prediction

By Tim Thomas

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Nov 19, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams (right) and assistant coach Isaac Chew give instructions during the game against the Liberty Flames at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies are off to a 2-0 start for the new basketball season and are looking to go to 3-0 this afternoon against Appalachian State. This will be the Hokies final game before they fly to Mexico to compete in the Cancun Challenge on the two days before Thanksgiving.

This is a game that the Hokies should comfortably win against an Appalachian State team that is 0-2 and has lost both of their games by at least 19 points. However, the Mountaineers will likely know that a win in Blacksburg could turn around the course of their season very quickly before their home opener against Hampton.

However, Buzz Williams will make sure Virginia Tech is ready for the challenge.

This is a game where size isn’t going to be a big factor with Appalachian State not having very much size just like the Hokies. Appalachian State forward Tommy Spagnolo is averaging 13 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Joey Van Zegeren will likely be matched up against Spagnolo a lot in this game and the Hokies will hope the Dutch big man can have another big game. That is exactly what Van Zegeren will do with the Dutch big man dominating the boards and being very reliable on the offensive end.

The Hokies have been able to get points from just about everybody so far in the backcourt and that likely will continue. Devin Wilson was solid against Liberty but the sophomore point guard did have 9 assists. Expect Wilson to play better and have 6 or 7 assists in this game against the Mountaineers.

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One thing that Buzz Williams will want to see the Hokies improve Is protecting the basketball and avoiding the turnovers. The Hokies had 19 turnovers against Liberty and Williams will want to see that number drop significantly.

I expect that the Hokies will avoid double-digit turnovers in this game while forcing a lot of turnovers from Appalachian State. On top of that, the Hokies will force 15+ turnovers in this game. The Hokies will come out ready to go and cruise to an easy victory over Appalachian State 76-51.