Hokies ready to kick off ncaa tournament against florida

Jackson Didlake

March 19, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Two years after Mike Young walked off the floor in defeat at the NCAA Tournament in his final game at Wofford, he returns to the floor as No. 10 seed Virginia Tech takes on No. 7 seed Florida in the Round of 64.

“I have tremendous satisfaction and an enormous amount of pride that we have the Hokies in this great tournament in year two,” Young said. “It speaks to the character and just how wonderful the kids in this program are. They’re about the team. Out of ‘me’ and into ‘we.’”

Leaving Wofford along with Young was forward Keve Aluma, who is coming off of a rough performance in the Hokies’ loss to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament.

“He looked tentative, caught the ball on the charge circle, left shoulder, right hand and he looked a little spooked,” Young said. “Maybe the two of us would be spooked as well when we turn and see a gentleman the size of Armando [Bacot] staring us in the face.”

The six-foot-nine junior has been a huge reason for Tech’s success, averaging 15.6 points and eight rebounds. In the loss to UNC, he mustered up nine points (4-13 FG) and eight rebounds.

Despite a rocky offensive night against the Tar Heels, Young fully expects Aluma to return to form against Florida.

“He’s a hell of a player, he’s had a hell of a year and he’s going to be good on Friday.”

Virginia Tech certainly hoped to earn a single-digit seed after finishing 15-6, 9-4 ACC this season. For the Gators, a seven-seed feels fair after posting a 14-9 overall record, 9-7 in the SEC.

Both teams are coming off of tough ends to the season. The Hokies have lost four of their last eight, while the Gators have lost three of their last four.

The Hokies need to guard the deep ball and avoid getting behind due to stellar guard play for the Gators. Tre Mann leads UF with 16 points per game, while Tyree Appleby adds 11.4.

In the frontcourt, the Gators have a ton of size, especially with six-foot-11 junior Colin Castleton. Castleton averages 2.2 blocks per game, a huge reason why the Gators are the fourth-best team in the country in that category.

Despite the extended size, the Gators have struggled bringing down rebounds this season, ranking 301st in the country. Tech will count on Tyrece Radford, Justyn Mutts andAluma on the boards to give the Hokies a distinct advantage.

Castleton and Aluma will likely match up down low. If Aluma has another less-than-ideal performance like he did against Armando Bacot from UNC, the Hokies will have a tough time keeping up.

Prediction:

Jackson: 71-66 Virginia Tech

Game Details:

No. 10 Virginia Tech vs. No. 7 Florida

Tipoff: 12:15 p.m.

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.

Television: CBS