Amid the effects of Winter Storm Fern, basketball will be played in Cassell Coliseum tonight as Virginia Tech (15-6, 4-4 ACC) hosts Georgia Tech (11-9, 2-5 ACC)

The Hokies have been up-and-down in conference play so far this season, standing even at 4-4. For the most part, Virginia Tech has taken care of business while dropping some close ones. The only game conference game that was more one-sided in their opponents' favor was the Hokies' 14-point loss to Louisville.

Virginia Tech is coming off that loss to Louisville despite going 16-for-30 (52%) from beyond the arc, compared to just 9-for-32 (28%) for 2-point shots.

The Yellow Jackets are 2-5 in ACC play, with their only wins coming against Boston College and NC State. Georgia Tech is looking to rebound after their own 14-point loss to No. 22 Clemson. While they have been below average in conference play, they did take No. 4 Duke to the brink in a six-point loss earlier this season.

For Virginia Tech, they will be without Tyler Johnson for the ninth straight game. It will be a game-time decision for Georgia Tech starters Akai Fleming and Mouhamed Sylla, who are both averaging just over nine points per game.

So far, the two teams have only one common opponent in Syracuse. The Hokies escaped with a 76-74 win while the Yellow Jackets lost 82-72.

Let's take a look at the keys to this ACC matchup.

Can Neoklis Avdalas Get Back Into Rhythm?

Neoklis Avdalas’ efficiency has been on a decline over the season. In ACC play so far, he's shot 30/91 (32%) on field goals and 7/39 (18%) from three. Against Louisville, he went 1-for-7 for just two points, and did not play during the final 9:53 of the game. He’s been averaging about 10 points per game, with his games against UVA (17) and Stanford (21) boosting that number a bit.

While his superpower is his passing ability, helping him average five assists per game, Avdalas was also brought in to be a consistent scorer for the team, and his poor efficiency has been critical in several close games. As the Hokies enter an important stretch of conference play, Mike Young will look upon Avdalas to put the ball in the basket at a higher rate than he has recently.

Post Battle

Both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech build off their post players, with Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry being critical pieces for the Hokies, while Kowacvie Reeves Jr. and Baye Ndogo patrol the lane for the Yellow Jackets.

Hansberry leads Virginia Tech with 15 points and eight rebounds per game, and his running mate in Lawal is averaging 11 points with a team-high nine rebounds. Christian Gurdak will also play into the equation at the Center position, as Georgia Tech has two players who are 6-10" and taller in its rotation.

The primary threat down low for Georgia Tech is 6-foot-7 Reeves Jr., who leads the Yellow Jackets with 16 points this season. Ndongo is more of your traditional post player at 6-foot-9, who posts 11 points and a team-leading eight rebounds per game.

Home Sweet Home

Virginia Tech is 11-1 at home, with their one loss coming against Stanford. Given the multiple one-score possession games that the Hokies have found themselves in this season, home court advantage will matter during this critical two-game stretch.

Cassell Guard has proven that i- can be a difference maker this season, with a sold-out crowd against UVA and for wins against California and Notre Dame in ACC play.

On the other side, the Yellow Jackets are 0-4 on the road with losses to Georgia, Drake, Duke, Miami, and NC State.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 84 - Georgia Tech 70

The Hokies sit at No. 52 in NET rankings compared to the Yellow Jackets’ No. 145. Virginia Tech has only lost two games of a Quad 2 stature or worse, and with Georgia Tech currently sitting as a Quad 3 team, I’d feel comfortable taking the Hokies in this one.

I’d expect Amani Hansberry and Lawal to get back into rhythm, with a double-double from Hansberry and double-digit scoring from Lawal.

Jailen Bedford has been on a roll of late, and I’d expect him to continue his three-point shooting run; Georgia Tech allows over eight three-pointers per game.