Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Men's Basketball: How to Watch the Commonwealth Battle

For the first time this season, the Virginia Tech and Virginia men’s basketball teams will meet on the court. Both teams enter the game in the middle of the pack in the ACC standings at 2-3. The Cavaliers have wins over Syracuse and Louisville and losses to Notre Dame, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest. The Hokies have wins over Louisville and Clemson and losses to Wake Forest, Florida State, and Miami.

Both teams are on the bubble in terms of making the NCAA Tournament, to say the least, and need a way in the worst way Wednesday night in Charlottesville.

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia, How to Watch, Preview

This game will begin at 7 o’clock and broadcast on ESPNU and FuboTV. 

The big question for Virginia Tech entering this game is the health and availability of guard Hunter Cattoor. The senior was injured last Wednesday night at home against Clemson when he was kicked in the head inadvertently by a Tigers player. He walked off the court and did not return and missed Saturday night’s loss at home to Miami. Head coach Mike Young said that he has been progressing positively and his status remains unclear.

In his absence, Sean Pedulla has stepped up offensively for the Hokies. He scored 33 points in Virginia Tech’s win over Clemson, then had 32 in the loss to the Hurricanes. He was the ACC Player of the Week after those outings. Tyler Nickel stepped up against Clemson with 24 points to help Pedulla. Lynn Kidd had 16 points against Miami in the loss.

Virginia is led by guard Reece Beekman who is averaging 12.7 points a game and 5.9 assists per contest. Ryan Dunn averages just under 10 points a game and seven rebounds a game. 

Cattoor’s availability will be big in this game on both ends of the floor. Against Miami, the Hokies missed his defense, but also offensively when he’s in the game, he spreads the floor, and that opens things up for everyone else. This would be a big win on the road for Young, especially with another conference game on the road this upcoming weekend against NC State.