Fighting Gobbler
Fansided

Virginia Tech basketball vs. Wake Forest: Game Preview

By Kayleigh Toney

Feb 6, 2021; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Keve Aluma (22) rebounds the ball over Miami Hurricanes center Nysier Brooks (3) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2021; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Keve Aluma (22) rebounds the ball over Miami Hurricanes center Nysier Brooks (3) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Virginia Tech basketball program will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on Wake Forest.

What: Virginia Tech Hokies (14-5, 8-4 ACC) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-12, 3-12 ACC)

When: Saturday, February 27th at 4 p.m.

Where:  Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia

TV: ACC Network

The No. 16 Hokies are coming off of a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech on Tuesday. They came out and looked cold in that game after a 17-day break.

With only three games left in the regular season, Tech will look to grab another win and grow momentum going into ACC Tournament play.

Wake Forest has struggled this season but the Hokies will need to put together a complete game to come away with a win.

Keys to a Virginia Tech win

Virginia Tech will need to get a hot start, knocking down shots early will grow the team’s confidence.  Against Georgia Tech, the Hokies came out looking sloppy and they’ll want to avoid that on Saturday.

Having a good first half and heading into halftime with a lead will be huge for the Hokies. When Virginia Tech leads at the half they are 11-0, getting a lead and keeping the lead will be key for the Hokies.

Limiting the number of turnovers committed will also be a major key. In the game against Georgia Tech, they committed 16 turnovers, the second-most in the season. Turnovers can be the backbreaker in close games so cleaning up play and minimizing turnovers will be a big boost for the Hokies.

Last meeting

Virginia Tech and Wake Forest have already faced each other once this season. Tech came away with a 64-60 win in Winston Salem.

Tyrece Radford led the Hokies with 20 points in that game, just one point shy of his season-high. Hunter Cattoor and David N’Guessan also contributed 13 points each in the win.

The Hokies have won five straight against the Demon Deacons and are looking to keep that streak alive. The last time Virginia Tech lost to Wake was in March of 2017.

Players to watch

Virginia Tech– Keve Aluma has been huge for the Hokies this season. He’s been a big part of the success that the Hokies have seen. He is averaging 15.5 points per game, a team-high. He also leads the team in averaging 7.9 rebounds per game. The forward has registered six double-doubles on the season. The redshirt junior tallied 12 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to Georgia Tech on Tuesday.

Wake Forest– Daivien Williamson has been the leader for Wake Forest this season. He is averaging a team-high, 12.7 points per game. The junior has tallied double digits in 11 games for Wake. Williamson will have to have a big game if the Deacons look to pull an upset on Saturday.