HOKIES LOOK TO EXTEND WIN STREAK TO FIVE AGAINST FOURTH PLACE ORANGE

Jay Winters

February 21, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — After a 10-day hiatus, Virginia Tech will take on Syracuse for its first home game in February on Sunday at 12:00.

The Hokies (11-7, 6-7) are riding a program-best four-game win streak in conference play, winning by an average of just under 14 points per game in that frame.

With three games left in the season, Tech sits at eighth in the standings and trails Notre Dame (6-6), Wake Forest (8-8), and Florida State (7-6), all of whom have tie-breakers over the Hokies in head-to-head matchups.

The Orange (11-5, 8-5) occupy the critical fourth spot in the ACC standings, and like the Hokies, have not played since February 11th.

The Hokies are 6-8 all time against the Orange, with the last two contests going down to the wire in consecutive two-point losses for Tech.

Last season, the Hokies struggled to score and take care of the ball in a 67-65 loss, as the team had 18 turnovers and Elizabeth Kitley was the only player to score in double figures.

Virginia Tech Keys to the Game: Force Turnovers

Although Syracuse leads the league in assists, they also are second in the league in total turnovers with an average of 17.1 per game. The Hokies have forced their opponents to turn it over 15.5 times during the win streak, and if they can hit that mark, compared to just seven forced turnovers against the Orange last year, the Hokies should come out with a win.

Syracuse Keys to the Game: Generate Mismatches

Outside of guards Tiana Mangakahia and Kiara Lewis, Syracuse’s five of their top seven scorers are all 6’1” or taller, which makes for one of the taller teams in the ACC. The Orange can easily generate mismatches against anyone, especially with guards Emily Engstler (6’1”) and Priscilla Williams (6’2”). If the Hokies aren’t careful on switches, which has been a weakness for them this year, they could find themselves with some tough matchups on defense.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Georgia Amoore

Amoore has blossomed into her role at a critical moment in the season, stepping up on both sides of the court. In her last three games, Amoore has averaged just over twelve points per game, while shooting at a 50% mark from beyond the arc and posting a 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. Her play last week against Miami, where she went five-of-six from three, earned her ACC Freshman of the Week honors.

Syracuse Player to Watch: Kamilla Cardoso

Cardoso, one of the tallest players in the ACC, has been one of the top freshmen in the league and the country. The 6’7” center out of Brazil leads the league in blocked shots, while posting an average of 15 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. Cardoso will be one of the toughest matchups Elizabeth Kitley will face all year, and if Cardoso can shut her down, the Orange could escape with a victory.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 70, Syracuse 65

This should be a close contest, as both average just over 74 points a game, and could come down to the last couple of minutes.

Cardoso and Kitley statistically have one of the best matchups of the season, and it could be a battle in the paint all day pending how many fouls are drawn.

Syracuse has a matchup advantage specifically in their guards, but given the Orange haven’t played in 10 days and their turnover history (average of 16 in their last three), Virginia Tech should have the slight edge.

Plus, if it does get close down the stretch, Syracuse’s 63% mark from the line, which is second to last in the ACC, could get them in some trouble.

Tech should escape with a 70-65 win and push the win streak to five.