Virginia Tech-Miami Men's BAsketball preview

Chris Hirons

December 29, 2020

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Coming off two commanding wins against Coppin State and Longwood, No. 24 Virginia Tech (7-1) concludes its six-game homestand against an injury-plagued Miami (4-2) team Tuesday night.

The injury bug bit the Hurricanes early as guard Chris Lykes has missed the past four games with an ankle injury; guard Kameron McGusty was ruled out in the ‘Canes last two games with a hamstring injury; forward Earl Timberlake injured his ankle in Miami’s previous game against Jacksonville; and backup center Rodney Miller is out for the season with a right knee injury.

After losing three straight games to the Hokies, Miami bounced back in the 2019-2020 season. The Hurricanes took down VT in a triple overtime thriller in February enroute to concluding a two game sweep.

Virginia Tech will be Miami’s toughest task so far this season after wins against North Florida, Stetson, Purdue and Jacksonville. The Hurricanes dropped a game against Florida Gulf Coast and their ACC opener against Pittsburgh earlier this month.

Miami’s Key to the Game: Be Physical on the Boards

When looking at the numbers, Miami’s rebounding stands out as one of its strong suits this season. Entering Tuesday, the Hurricanes are ever so slightly out-rebounding the Hokies in boards per game (42-37).

The ‘Canes are out-rebounding teams by more than eight rebounds per game and have been extremely successful limiting their opponents in second chance opportunities, thanks in part to seven-footer Nysier Brooks.

Virginia Tech’s Key to the Game: Get to the Free Throw Line

In Miami’s six games this season, the Hurricanes have allowed opponents to knock down seven free throws per game. Getting to the free throw line has been the Hokies bread and butter this season, getting to the line 174 times and making 15.4 free throws per game.

As long as Virginia Tech remains physical on the offensive side, the Hokies should have no problem at the stripe. However, Miami refuses to foul opposing players, so VT could have trouble getting to the charity stripe.

Miami Player to Watch: Isiah Wong

Miami’s Isiah Wong has been the team’s go-to guy all season. If the team needs a late bucket, he’s the guy everyone’s watching. Excluding the ‘Canes matchup against Purdue in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge where he only scored 11 points, Wong hasn’t scored fewer than 17 points in any other matchup.

The sophomore leads the team in scoring, minutes played and free throws. He’s also second on the team in steals. Wong is Miami’s swiss army knife, and if he’s hot like last season, when he scored 37 points in two games against Tech, it’ll be a close matchup where Hokies fans hold their breath on every possession.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Hunter Cattoor

As Nysier Brooks towers over Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts in the post, the Hokies will be forced to turn to shots from deep. As is the current theme to the season, Virginia Tech will once again either live by the three or die by the three when the Hurricanes roll into town.

Hunter Cattoor has been Tech’s best three-point shooter in 2020, converting 46.2% of the shots he’s taken from beyond the arc. If Cattoor gets hot like he did against Radford, where he made four of six from three-point land, he could be a tough assignment for Miami to guard.

Score Predictions:

Chris: Virginia Tech 68, Miami 59

Jackson Didlake: Virginia Tech 65, Miami 54

David Cunningham: Virginia Tech 72, Miami 65

Game Details:

No. 24 Virginia Tech (7-1, 1-0 ACC) vs. Miami (4-2, 0-1 ACC)

Tipoff: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va.

Television: ACC Network