Hokies Travel To Coral Gables Looking to Sweep Season Series

Jackson Didlake

February 6, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — No. 16 Virginia Tech suffered its third ACC loss of the season on Wednesday in an 83-72 defeat at the hands of Pitt. The Hokies hope to rebound on Saturday against Miami.

It will be the second meeting between the two this season. On Dec. 29, the Hokies got the best of the Hurricanes 80-78 in a narrow win. Virginia Tech held a nine-point lead with 1:04 but nearly blew it all away.

Miami’s Key to the Game: Crash the Boards

When the two ACC foes clashed in late December, both teams were nailing from three all game long. The Hurricanes shot 40% from behind the arc and 54% from the field, which gives a clear blueprint to beating the Hokies: shoot great from the floor.

In its loss to Pitt, Virginia Tech allowed the Panthers to shoot 50%. Syracuse and Louisville both had a field day shooting wise in the Hokies’ other two conference losses. If the Hurricanes can hit, they have a path to victory.

Virginia Tech’s Key to the Game: Feed Keve Aluma

Last time the Hokies met the Hurricanes, Keve Aluma scored what was then, a career-high 26 points. Aluma has beat that mark in his last two outings, putting up 29 points against No. 8 Virginia and following it up with 30 points versus Pitt.

Aluma has commonly been the best player on the floor for Virginia Tech this season, but perhaps more important at this point of the season, he’s hot. The Hokies need to continue to ride the hot hand and feed Aluma down low.

Miami Player to Watch: Chris Lykes

Chris Lykes was a full participant in practice for the first time since spraining his ankle on Dec. 4. Miami head coach Jim Larranaga said that Lykes may make his return on Saturday against the Hokies.

Before going down, the preseason All-ACC nominee was averaging 15.5 points and 5.5 assists. If Lykes can make his return, he will be a big difference maker not only against the Hokies, but for the remainder of the Hurricanes season.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Jalen Cone

Jalen Cone hasn’t scored double digits in a game since a Jan. 12 win over Duke. Cone had only nine points in the ensuing four games after. On Wednesday, it looked like Cone was getting back on track after scoring nine points in the first half, but he went scoreless in the second.

During his hot streak, Cone was shooting 43.3% from behind the arc. If the Hokies can get Cone back to early season form, Virginia Tech will get much needed help from deep it needs.

Predictions:

Jackson: Virginia Tech 69, Miami 59

Chris Hirons: Virginia Tech 77, Miami 69

Game Details:

No. 16 Virginia Tech (13-4, 7-3 ACC) at Miami (7-10, 3-9)

Tipoff: 12:00 p.m.

Location: Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.

Television: RSN