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Virginia Tech Basketball: #9 Seed Hokies to Face #8 Wisconsin in NCAA First Round

By Mike McDaniel

Feb 27, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams looks on during the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams looks on during the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Hokies earned their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2007, and will face #8 seed Wisconsin as the #9 seed in the East Region

The excitement of Selection Sunday has finally arrived and the Virginia Tech Hokies have officially secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament. For the first time since the 2007-08 season, the Hokies are going dancing.

As the 9-seed in the NCAA’s East Region, Virginia Tech will take on the #8 seeded Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday in Buffalo, New York. Time for the game is TBD as of Sunday evening.

The Badgers last played on Sunday afternoon against Michigan in the Big Ten Championship game, which they dropped to the Wolverines by a final score of 71-56. While the Hokies have not played Wisconsin this season in the non-conference schedule, they do share Michigan as a common opponent. The Hokies defeated the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on November 30th by a score of 73-70.

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This is likely the worst possible draw the Hokies could have gotten, as Wisconsin is an experienced group with good guard play from veterans Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes, while boasting the top big man in the Big Ten in 6’10” sophomore Ethan Happ. Happ comes into play averaging 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game on the season, and will be the toughest match-up for the Hokies in the first round game given his size and athleticism in the paint.

If the Hokies are lucky enough to get past Wisconsin, they would likely face the number one overall seed and defending National Champion Villanova Wildcats, which is certainly no walk in the park no matter which way you slice it.

A full preview of the Hokies and Badgers will be posted later in the week, as Tech looks to make the most of their first NCAA Tournament appearance in nine years.