MBB vs Pitt Feb 5 and Feb 7

We get the rare back to back meeting of two ACC teams starting today. The Hokies play at Pitt at 7 PM today; and then at 7 PM on Monday. Both games are on the ACC Network. The Hokies are favored by 6.5 points tonight with O/U of 126.5. Pitt is 8-14 and 3-8 in the ACC. However, they are 3-2 at home in ACC play and the losses have been close games to ND by 1 and LOLUVA by 5.

The Hokies match up fairly well size-wise with the Panthers.

Before the season, Odukale was one of SI's breakout candidates for this year. He started well and tapered off; but in his last two games he scored 16 and 23 points in losses at BC and Wake Forest.

#2 Femi Odukale 6'5 G So. 32.7 MPG: 12 PPG: 3.6 RPG: 3.1 APG: 2.7 TOPG

#23 John Hugley 6'9 F So. 29.8 MPG: 15.3 PPG: 8.5 RPG: 1.3 APG: 3.1 TOPG

#11 Jamarius Burton 6'4 G Sr. 35.1 MPG: 13.2 PPG: 3.7 RPG: 2.5 APG: 1.7 TOPG

#15 Mouhamadou Gueye 6'10 F Gr. 28 MPG: 8.6 PPG: 6 RPG: 1.2 APG: 1.5 TOPG

#31 Onyebuchi Ezeakudo 6'1 G Sr. 21 MPG: 2.5 PPG: 2 RPG: 1.4 APG: 0.9 TOPG

#12 Ithiel Horton 6'5 G R-Jr. 23 MPG: 9.3 PPG: 3 RPG: 1 APG: 2.3 TOPG

#5 Nate Santos 6'7 F Fr. 14.2 MPG: 3.3 PPG: 2.3 RPG: 0.5 APG: 0.6 TOPG

#3 Noah Collier 6'8 F So. 9.3 MPG: 1.5 PPG: 1.7 RPG: 0.1 APG: 0.4 TOPG

#24 William Jeffress 6'7 G/F So. 24.3 MPG: 3.8 PPG: 3.7 RPG: 0.8 APG: 1 TOPG

As I said above, Pitt is different team at home. They have wins against BC, Louisville and Syracuse at home and close losses to ND and LOLUVA. The Hokies cannot afford to take this game lightly. We should have some advantages. Pitt has not been good beyond the arc; they are last in the ACC in three point percentage. And they are last in scoring at 62.1 ppg.

AVERAGES:

DETAILED STATS:

We can be better than Pitt, if 2 of Cattoor, Murphy, Pedulla and Maddox play well. It would also help if Alleyne could have a decent game. Based on his last two games, someone is going to have to guard Odukale to keep him from continuing his hot streak.

Hugley at 6'9 and 280 is going to be a presence in the paint. Aluma is going to have to work for his points and rebounds. Gueye is a little taller; but a lot lighter at 200 lbs. But he will step out and hit a three. Our big men are going to have to play stout defense, especially if Okukale is pulling the help out to the arc. We should have the advantage in trading 3's for 2's, if we shoot our average.

LET'S GO HOKIES!