After going 11-2 in the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team began ACC play on Wednesday afternoon at home against Virginia in the first of two Commonwealth Clashes. The Hokies played the game shorthanded without Tobi Lawal, Tyler Johnson, or Antonio Dorn. Johnson was a late addition to the injury report.
Virginia Tech and Virginia engaged in an instant classic going triple overtime before the Hokies were able to finally pull away in the third OT for the 95-85 win over the Cavaliers. Ben Hammond has been huge this season for Tech and dropped a career-high 30 points to lead the Hokies to a résumé-building win over the Cavaliers.
It is a quick turnaround for Mike Young's team as they hit the road on Saturday for a noon tip-off in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at Wake Forest. Just who will be available for the Hokies remains to be seen.
Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest: Players to Watch
Virginia Tech
- Amani Hansberry (Forward): 16.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals
- Neoklis Avdalas (Guard): 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.7 steals
- Tobi Lawal (Forward): 12.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals
- Ben Hammond (Guard): 11.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals
- Jaden Schutt (Guard): 10.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals
Wake Forest
- Juke Harris (Guard): 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals
- Myles Colvin (Guard): 13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals
- Tre'Von Spillers (Forward): 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals
- Mekhi Mason (Guard): 8.4 point, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1.steals
- Nate Calmese (Guard): 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.5 steals
To win this game on the road, taking care of the basketball will be the name of the game for Virginia Tech. The Demon Deacons are averaging 9.4 steals a game and just 12.4 turnovers. This year, the Hokies have been doing a better job of taking care of the basketball, but it will be even more important on the road. Foul trouble will also be key as Young's bench will likely be short again.