Losing three of their last four games, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team heads to Clemson on Wednesday night looking for a win that will help with their bid for a berth in the NCAA Tournament next month. After losing at North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon, the Hokies are facing a pivotal trip to South Carolina in a key ACC battle.
This isn't going to be easy for Mike Young's team. The Tigers are 10-1 in ACC play and need a win to keep pace with Duke on top of the conference standings, heading into the showdown this upcoming weekend in Durham. Clemson is coming off sweeping their trip out west to Stanford and California. With what is on the line on Saturday, don't expect the Tigers to take the Hokies lightly.
Virginia Tech at Clemson: How to Watch
For the 12th time this season, Virginia Tech will be without sophomore forward Tyler Johnson, who has been out since before ACC play began on New Year's Eve against Virginia. That has put a lot more pressure on Amani Hansberry and Tobi Lawal at the forward position, as well as freshmen bigs Antonio Dorn and Christian Gurdak. Guard Ben Hammond has taken over the point guard role and let freshman Neokliss Avdalas play off the ball at times.
The problem without having Johnson, who Young is hoping to get back on Saturday afternoon at home against Florida State, is his toughness on the inside and on the boards. Not so much scoring the ball, but his physical play on the inside is missed. He is also not afraid to take the ball to the basket. On the defensive end, he is missing the assignment of other teams' forwards.
At 5-6 in conference play and a daunting road schedule remaining after Clemson, stealing one on the road would be very beneficial to Virginia Tech on Wednesday night.