Hokies Win Fifth-Straight, Juice Syracuse In 71-59 Victory

By Carter Hill

Staff Writer

February 12, 2022

BLACKSBURG — With Syracuse and Virginia Tech tied at 54 and the Orange riding a 17–5 run, the Hokies needed a spark.

They got just that off a loose-ball scramble.

At the top of the “T” in the centercourt VT logo, Keve Aluma took control of the basketball and handed it off to Nahiem Alleyne.

The junior guard then fired a pass down the floor, where Hunter Cattoor hauled in the reception and lobbed the ball up in the air for Justyn Mutts.

Slamming down a two-handed jam to put the Hokies up for good, the fifth-year senior secured just the second triple-double in program history as Virginia Tech (15-10, 7-7 Atlantic Coast) knocked off Syracuse , 71-59, inside Cassell Coliseum, leapfrogging the Orange (13-12, 7-7 Atlantic Coast) in the conference standings in the process.

“Boy did he deliver,” Young said of Mutt’s performance, who finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. “He was really, really good. Around the ball, 14 rebounds, just all over the place, had a lot on him.

Young’s praise wasn’t limited to just Mutts’ offensive production.

“Jimmy Boeheim is a difficult matchup, I thought he did a really good job there. Just was active. Was ready to roll from the opening tip. Great night for him.”

Virginia Tech’s other triple-double belongs to Chris Clarke, who accomplished the feat against The Citadel back in December 2016.

“It feels really good,” Mutts added about his superior performance. “It was my first one. Just to be able to get it at home in front of our fans, I know how much they love me. I love them just as much, and to be able to do it in a win, too, was something really special.”

The win results in the Hokies’ first five-game winning streak in conference play since the 2015-16 season, and for Young and company, they recognize that the maroon and orange are beginning to peak at the right time.

“We’re just playing better ball,” said the third-year head coach. “We’re rebounding better, we’re more connected. That’s the second-consecutive opponent that we’ve held under 40% from the field.

“It’s mid-February, [we’ve been more] gritty, tough. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.”

As Young noted, Virginia Tech held the Orange to 38% shooting from the field and 37% from three. It also kept pace with Syracuse on the boards (both teams grabbed 41) and turned the ball over just four times while dishing out 20 assists on 23 field goals.

All impressive stats, but Young particularly praised his team’s defensive play.

“We just buckled down. I thought we defended very, very well,” Young said. “Buddy [Boeheim] is going to hit some tough shots, I don’t care who he’s playing. But the job we did on Jimmy Boeheim –– who we like a lot –– Cole Swider, who’s been playing very good basketball…Just stiffer defensively, and we had some things go our way.”

The rebounding battle was also a hot topic of discussion in the Tech locker room throughout the week, as it has been throughout the course of the past five outings.

“I was nervous about that [coming into the game],” Young explained. “Syracuse, they really go, they go get it. They’re physical in there. We made a real emphasis on that category going into the game. I thought all in all, pretty good.”

Young admitted the rebounding improvement may be the secret ingredient to the Hokies’ recent success.

“More physical, tougher box outs on the glass,” Young said of the key to his team’s improved rebounding of late.

And with the high level play of Aluma and Mutts down low, there’s reason to think that ever-so-key ingredient won’t stop flourishing for Virginia Tech anytime soon.

In total, Tech shot 38% from the field and just 30% from three. But with five Hokies scoring in double figures, it won’t be much of a concern for Young.

Twenty points from Keve Aluma led the way, while Hunter Cattoor (14), Mutts (12), Alleyne (11), and Darius Maddox (10) - who continues to be a solid asset for Tech off the bench - each contributed to what still was a solid offensive outing.

The one thing that may have helped with that, though, was a sellout crowd inside Cassell Coliseum,where 8,925 roaring fans echoed down onto Carilion Clinic Court.

“Without that crowd, who knows what would’ve happened,” said Aluma, who got back into double figures for the second straight contest. “Just a crazy environment, definitely one of the best ones I’ve played in, especially here.”

Young agreed.

“That’s what I expect out of Cassell Coliseum: hot and on top of you, enthusiastic, passionate Hokie fans. There’s nothing like ‘em, man. They are the best. They are the best in the world.”

Virginia Tech will need that again on Monday evening when the Virginia Cavaliers come to town, game two of a crucial three-game stretch for the Hokies’ NCAA Tournament hopes.

Tech’s big whistle knows his team will be ready.

“We’ve backed ourselves into a bit of a hole,” Young said. “Every night is so huge for our team. I feel it, our team feels it, and I think there’s got to be an edginess about any team. I feel and I’ve sensed for quite some time now, a readiness and edginess about our play.

“We’re going to play a good ballgame [on Monday evening,] I think it’ll be another great game in the Cassell, and it’ll be a lot of fun. I know and our team knows, we’re going to have to play even better Monday against Virginia.”