Virginia Tech tries to make it two in a row in the ACC as they play host to the Miami Hurricanes in Cassell Coliseum Saturday evening. The Hokies come into the contest with a 2-2 record in the ACC but beat their most recent opponents in the No. 21 Clemson Tigers 87-72 on Wednesday evening.
Miami on the other hand is 11-4 overall and coming off back to back losses to ACC opponents. The Hurricanes fell to Wake Forest on the road by four points in overtime. Following that however, Miami dropped a home game against the lowly Louisville Cardinals by an 80-71 final.
Safe to say Virginia Tech could be getting Miami at one of their more desperate hours, which is why they’ll need all hands on deck to win this game.
1. Sean Pedulla and Tyler Nickel Must Be Consistent
A big part of Virginia Tech’s major 15-point victory over the No. 21 Tigers earlier this week was due to the stellar play of Sean Pedulla and Tyler Nickel. The Edmond, Oklahoma and Harrisonburg, Virginia natives combined for 56 of the Hokies 72 points. Pedulla totaled a career high 32 points and dropped six three pointers while shooting a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. On the side of the coin, Nickel finished with a career high 24 points and drained five triples in a bench role.
While Pedulla and Nickel’s play was huge for the Hokies, especially with Hunter Cattoor’s injury, they’ll need to replicate some of that success on Saturday. Pedulla and Nickel have had consistency problems. Pedulla’s put up four games in a row of not scoring in double figures before this recent hot streak against FSU and Clemson, while Nickel has games where the outside shot can’t fall.
Both shooters don’t need career highs again, but cracking at least 15 points with efficient shooting from outside will help the Hokies out a ton.
2. MJ Collins Will Have to Step Up in a Big Way
If Hunter Cattoor is a no go for Tech, there’s even more reason for MJ Collins to step up against the Canes. Firstly, Miami is a guard heavy team and Collins is a great one-on-one defender. Even if Cattoor was at full strength, Collins would need to be in the game for his defense and explosive driving. Miami is also a team of athletes while Tech is not.
However, Collins is the Hokies' best athlete with his dynamic vertical leaping skills. Collins can match the athleticism of the Canes and provide a spark that Tech might need. As of late, Collins has been extremely hot and cold as the sophomore guard has alternated double digit scoring performances with 0 or two point nights. Last game, Collins scored just one basket vs Clemson, so might he be due for a 10+ point outing against Miami? If he is, it could make the difference in this one.
3. Hokies' Defense Must Hold the Canes in Check
Despite Miami disappointing a lot of folks so far this season, the Canes have still posted the ACC’s best offense. They score the rock at a high rate, totaling over 84 points a contest which is good for first in the conference. Norchad Omier and Wooga Poplar have spearheaded an explosive offensive attack and Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland and Nijel Pack all score in double figures for season averages.
Miami is deep with scorers and high level athletes in their starting lineup, meaning Tech will have to beat them with fundamentally sound basketball. The Hokies' defense has been alright, a bit better than last year but still nothing entirely special. Tech will need to roll with smaller lineups that have three guards and may lean heavily on the more athletic Mekhi Long at the four given Miami's athleticism.
If Tech can contain the athletic advantage the Canes bring, they'll have a great chance at getting the victory tonight.
Prediction: Miami 73, Virginia Tech 71
I believe Tech’s found some new momentum on the season with their win over Clemson. But, Miami is playing with nothing to lose. After all, a loss to Louisville will do that to you.
Because of that loss, I think Miami plays their best game of the season. Tech will be up for the challenge but I believe the Canes will gut one out. They have experience in high leverage games on the road and the Hokies lack of close game experience this season will show. However, a close loss could still be beneficial for Tech in the long run.
