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Hokies Men’s Hoops Hosts UMES at Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday Night

By Mike McDaniel

Nov 30, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Zach LeDay (32) shoots against Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) in the second half at Crisler Center. Virginia Tech won 73-70. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Zach LeDay (32) shoots against Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) in the second half at Crisler Center. Virginia Tech won 73-70. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Hokies return to Cassell for the first time in nearly three weeks to take on University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball will play their first game in a week on Wednesday night, as the 6-1 Hokies return home to Cassell Coliseum for the first time since the November 19th VMI win to take on University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Buzz Williams’ group has gotten off to a fast start in the 2016-17 campaign, with the lone loss coming against Texas A&M during the week of Thanksgiving.

Since that loss, the Hokies have reeled off two straight wins, including a come from behind 73-70 victory over the Michigan Wolverines to give the team their first resume-building win of the season.

The Hokies have not played since that victory over Michigan last Wednesday evening, and enter the game tonight against a struggling 1-7 Maryland-Eastern Shore team very well-rested.

Despite a lower extremity injury that plagued him throughout most of training camp, senior big Zach LeDay has been an offensive force for the Hokies to start the season. He leads the team in scoring at 16.4 points and rebounds at 7.4 per contest.

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Whether it has been as a starter or off the bench, LeDay has proven to be the most consistent player on the roster thus far, and should be in for another big game tonight against a lesser-quality post defense in UMES.

LeDay has not been the only player responsible for the strong start, as redshirt-sophomore wing Ahmed Hill has returned to action after last season’s leg injury to provide the Hokies a much-needed outside scoring boost.

Hill is second on the team in points per game with 13.6 per contest, and is shooting a robust 46.7% from beyond-the-arc. His outside scoring has given the Hokies another consistent element offensively that had been missing at times a year ago.

As for UMES, while the Hawks have struggled mightily this season and provide far from the steepest test on the Hokies’ schedule this season, they do have a couple of capable players to be aware of on Wednesday evening.

Senior forward Bakari Copeland has posted a modest 14.0 point, 5.9 rebound stat line to date, while shooting a modest 42.3% from the floor. His marks in both scoring and rebound are both team-bests.

Junior guard Ryan Andino is another player that the Hokies should be cognizant of entering the game. He has been the team’s most consistent outside threat on the season thus far, shooting 46.3% from three en route to averaging 13.5 points per game, which is second on the team.

Tip-off for the game is slated for 8:30 PM ET on Wednesday and can be viewed online with ACC Network Extra and Watch ESPN.

Stick with FightingGobbler.com for the latest postgame recap and reaction as soon as the game goes final.