Virginia Tech downs Notre Dame in first game without Tyrece Radford

Jackson Didlake

January 28, 2021

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Two days after the shocking suspension of starting guard Tyrece Radford, No. 20 Virginia Tech had to turn its attention to Notre Dame. The Hokies had to rely on new options with the absence of Radford in a 62-51 victory.

“We figured it out tonight,” Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young said on the team performing without Radford. “Proud of them.”

The Hokies (12-3, 6-2 ACC) were in big need of reliable production from their core players with the new absence of Radford and they got just what the doctor ordered. Hunter Cattoor made a huge impact off the bench for the Hokies with 13 points, including three treys. Additionally, Nahiem Alleyne had a big day with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Keve Aluma got back on track after back-to-back rough performances. Aluma scored only two points in the Hokies loss to Wake Forest on Saturday but rebounded with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

“We just have to roll with the punches,” Aluma said on the Radford suspension. Aluma added that they needed to have a “next man up” mentality.

Virginia Tech also got a big game from Justin Mutts, who had 14 rebounds and 11 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field.

“It makes us dangerous,” Mutts said of the Hokies distribution of scoring. “It’s probably the reason we can go on a big run this year.”

The Hokies had a great day on the glass, out rebounding the Fighting Irish (5-9, 2-6) 46-36. Virginia Tech finished the contest shooting 40.3% from the field compared to Notre Dame’s 35.7%. The Irish entered the game as the No. 2 three-point shooting team in the conference but were held to 3 of 18.

Prentiss Hubb led the way for the Fighting Irish on the score sheet. Hubb went off for 22 points while shooting eight of 20. After Nate Laszewski had 14 points in the Hokies’ victory the last time the two matched up, Virginia Tech held him to only seven points.

The first half was an abysmal shooting performance from both teams. The Hokies were 11 of 33 from the field (33.3%) and the Fighting Irish went 8 of 25 (32%). A big 16-5 run for Virginia Tech helped get out ahead. Five of the Hokies 11 field goals were from behind the arc, helping them take a nine-point lead into the half.

In the second half, the Hokies nearly shot 50% from the field while continuing to hold their lead over the Fighting Irish before finishing off the victory.

Virginia Tech awaits a huge rivalry matchup against No. 8 Virginia on Saturday. It will be the first contest between the two after the game scheduled to take place in Charlottesville was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Virginia program.

The Cavaliers are coming off of a dominant performance against Syracuse, downing the Orange 81-58.

“I wish I hadn’t watched that one,” Young said on watching Virginia down Syracuse. “The Cavaliers looked good.”