HOKIES TRAVEL TO MIAMI SEEKING FOURTH CONSECUTIVE ACC WIN

Jay Winters

February 11, 2021

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Riding its longest win streak in conference play, Virginia Tech looks to make it four straight as it takes on the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday at 6 p.m.

It will be the Hokies second game on the road out of three. They are coming off a comfortable 74-55 win over Pittsburgh in one of their more complete games of the year.

Miami, similarly to Tech, started out the season winning all non-conference games and its first ACC game, but struggled in January during ACC play.

Both Miami (8-7, 5-7) and Virginia Tech (10-7, 5-7) sit at a tie for eighth in the ACC standings, and pending a Clemson loss (the Tigers play NC State on Thursday), have the chance to secure at least a tie for seventh.

It's the first meeting for the two this season. Tech is on a two-game winning streak against the Canes dating back to 2018.

Last year, the Hokies held Miami to 45 points in a 69-45 victory behind 14 points from Aisha Sheppard and eight points and six rebounds from Elizabeth Kitley.

Miami holds the all time record 8-21, a streak that included 15 straight wins from 2010-2018.

Virginia Tech Keys to the Game: Expose Miami’s Frontcourt

Coming into the game, Miami ranks towards the bottom of the ACC in rebounding margin and last in blocked shots. Not to mention, the leading rebounder on the team is senior Taylor Mason, a 5’9” guard, who averages 5.2 rebounds per game.

As long as she stays out of foul trouble, Elizabeth Kitley should be able to dominate the paint with a lack of an inside presence for the Hurricanes, which will open up scoring for her teammates.

Miami Keys to the Game: Force Turnovers

Turnovers have been a key to the game for most opponents who face Virginia Tech, but arguably none are more capable than the Hurricanes.

Miami is one of the leaders in the ACC in steals per game, and despite playing two less games than Tech, has 39 more steals on the year. Although the Hokies have improved on giving up turnovers as the season has gone on, they have still shown they can be prone, and Miami has a chance to capitalize.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Cayla King

In Virginia Tech’s losses, one of the problems has been finding that additional fourth or fifth scorer that could contribute on offense. In the Hokies’ last three wins, Cayla King has been that option.

King has averaged 9.3 in the last three games while shooting 40% from three, including going 3-for-4 against NC State. Either way, if the Canes can stop King, or if she continues on her scoring streak, she could be the X-factor in the game.

Miami Player to Watch: Kelsey Marshall

Marshall, who grew up just an hour north in Davie, Florida, has been the leader for the Canes this year. Kelsey is the only Cane who has started all 15 games and leads the team in three pointers made, field goals made and in scoring with 14.5 points per game.

In Miami’s last three contests, Marshall has played some of her best basketball of the season, averaging 18.6 points while making 11 three-pointers. If Marshall can continue to score at will while getting a little help from her teammates, the Canes could pull this one out.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 78, Miami 60

Virginia Tech has too many mis-matches in this contest and should continue the momentum with a double digit victory.

Given Miami’s disadvantage down low, Elizabeth Kitley will almost certainly have another double-double, while creating opportunities for her teammates to score with likely double-teams coming her way.

Miami presents Virginia Tech with more upperclassmen leadership, as five of the Canes top scorers are either seniors or juniors, which could be something that gives the Canes an upper hand if the game gets close.

Miami, however, is dead last in the ACC in scoring at 67 points a game, while Tech averages 74.8. For the Hurricanes to win, they would most likely have to score above 75-80 points, which is unlikely to happen.

Expect a similar game to last year, with Tech pulling it out 78-60.