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Hokies Basketball: Virginia Tech at 15 North Carolina Prediction

By Tim Thomas

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Jan 3, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams instructs his players during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Cassell Coliseum. Syracuse defeated Virginia Tech 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies are hoping to avoid an 0-4 start, but have a tough task on their hands as they take on the 15th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. The Hokies have the potential to pull off an upset due to their shooting talent, but this will be an extremely tough game.

The Hokies will face another extremely tough environment in the Dean Smith Dome after facing a loud environment in the KFC Yum! Center. This will not be seen as a big game by Tar Heel fans, but they will definitely be loud early on as North Carolina fans expect another victory.

The Tar Heels are a tremendously good rebounding team with an average of 44.1 rebounds per game which is second in the nation. North Carolina is quite talented in the frontcourt led by Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson.

Meeks is averaging 12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 22.8 minutes per game while Johnson is averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 21.6 minutes per game. This will be a very hard matchup for the Virginia Tech frontcourt especially Satchel Pierce who still has a lot of development to do.

Facing tough matchups like this one will definitely push Pierce and help in his development, but he will likely have some struggles in this matchup against North Carolina.

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Marcus Paige has been somewhat of a disappointment for the Tar Heels this season as he is shooting under 40% from the field, but Paige will look to shoot the ball better in this game. Paige is averaging 1.2 steals per game, but Devin Wilson has done a good job of effectively moving the basketball around, and will play well against the Tar Heels.

The Hokies will need their shot selection to be quite good in this game and Adam Smith is one player that the Hokies will need to step up the most. Smith’s shot selection has been inconsistent, but if he can take some quality shots in this game consistently, he could have a big game.

This Virginia Tech basketball team will be motivated to play hard in this tough matchup, but the Hokies are definitely outmatched in this game. Virginia Tech is still building while the Tar Heels loook like a team that will be a top 4 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament. The Hokies will have some good moments in this game, but lose 82-65 at North Carolina.

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