BUZZKETBALL CENTRAL: Virginia Tech Hokies (13-11, 5-6) UVA Wahoos (19-4, 8-3) at 8 PM ACC Network

IT'S GAMEDAY! The #Hokies take on the Hoos in Charlottesville at 8 PM on @theACCDN#BeatUVA pic.twitter.com/DEpEpf5E8S— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 9, 2016

Radio
Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
Jon Laaser & Mike Burnop
Also available on:
Satellite: Sirius: 135 XM: 193
Digital: Hokies Xtra & TuneIn

Television/Internet
The ACC Network
Steve Martin & Mike Gminski
Also available on ESPN3

Where can you watch tonight's #Hokies vs. Virginia basketball game? Check out a new #HokieHuddle with the details. https://t.co/nmCTrXi2Ra— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 9, 2016

Hokies fans, Tech heads back on the road after a solid win over Clemson. The Hokies are headed to that dreadful rival to the north, #7 UVA, who the Hokies beat in Blacksburg 70-68 at the beginning of January. After starting UVA on what seemed like a slide into mediocrity, losing three out of four games early in the ACC schedule. The Wahoos have righted their ship, winners of six in a row, most notably against Louisville. Other than the Cardinals though, those wins came against the bottom to middle teams in the conference. Tech really has a chance to stand tall and make an argument for post season play if they can find a way to win at John Paul Jones arena. The Wahoo's have not made many changes in terms of roster so we will see much of the same strategies play out tonight as we did in the last game. The only area I would expect to see more is in terms of the aggressiveness UVA takes the ball to the rim. Last game they tried to win the game around the perimeter and it almost worked but they realized late that getting the Hokies in foul trouble gave them a much more advantageous lineup to work against.

The Senior class is critical for this Wahoo's team, starting with Malcolm Brogdon, (#15), 6'5, 217 Lbs Guard, who is averaging 17.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 2.8 APG from the shooting guard role. Brogdon shoots better than 40% from outside and also better than 87% from the line. Brogdon has really picked up his came in conference play, scoring almost 3 points per game better than during the regular season.

The next Senior to keep an eye on will be Anthony Gill, (#13) 6'8, 230 Lbs Forward, who is averaging 14.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG while shooting almost 60% from the floor, all inside, and 70% from the line as well. Gill has struggled as of late so if that continues Tech should be able to focus more on the outside shooters.

The only other Wahoo in double figures this season is London Perrantes, (#32) 6'2, 189 Lbs, Junior Guard, who is effectively their point guard, handling the ball at the top most often. He comes in averaging 11.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 4.3 APG. Perrantes has been consistent and improving so we need to be prepared for a lovely ball falling early and often from outside, currently shooting 50% from behind the arc, so we can ill afford to let him get in a groove outside. Perrantes has picked up the pace from outside so someone needs to be aware of him at all times.

The Senior theme continues with Mike Tobey, (#10), 6'11, 253 Lbs Center who is averaging 7 PPG and 4.1 RPG also shooting almost 60% from the floor. Tobey seems to be a bit hit or miss all season, some games going for double figures, others going for naught but some attempts and air to go with it. Lets hope we see the latter tonight.

Darius Thompson (#51) 6'4, is the third starting guard for Tony Bennett, as a Sophomore, the youngest of the top five for UVA. He is averaging 5.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG and 1.9 APG as the rotational guard, used primarily to create space for Perrantes and Brogdon near the top of the key. Thompson has also seen his play since entering the conference schedule fall off a bit.

It's well known the term "Pack Line Defense" and UVA go hand in hand. It is a high pressure, man to man defense that sags to the middle of the court. The "pack line" is an imaginary line two feet inside the three point line that all defenders not guarding the current ball handler are never supposed to be outside of. The defender that is on the ball handler is expected to be up close, hand in face to create turnovers on the outside. One other critical aspect of this defense that is different than most is that it's designed to deny the baseline. Defenders are taught to position themselves to not allow any baseline penetration, relying on help defense to close down an adjusted drive to the center of the lane.

This game the Hokies have to get dribble penetration, execution at the free throw line, and offensive rebounding. If the Hokies are the better team at these areas it could mean a winning streak against UVA has started. The way the Hokies have to approach this game is as if every possession could decide the game because one or two untimely miscues could do just that. Allen needs to be able to get into the body of Gill when he drives in or force Brogdon or Perrantes to grab him as he goes by.

It's an away game, they delivered in a tough situation on Saturday, and its against a rival. Allen needs to repeat his defensive performance against Brogdon/Perrantes on the outside and our bigs need to be smart with their fouls especially with the screen game that UVA plays. We can't afford to let them break out the three in the second half like they did in the last game. The higher the score in this one goes, the more likely Tech is to win. LeFree at the line to win it once again as we let a double digit lead crumble late only to be saved by our basketball Hero. Sound familiar, I think it happens again tonight. VT 77-UVA 72

After seeing all their photos, UVA is now known as the "Hair Club for Men that want to drink Zimas"

GAMEDAY INFO: #BeatUVA 8 PM @theACCDN https://t.co/TqrT3Ss2vC https://t.co/k99a9bPoU8 @VT_MBBall pic.twitter.com/81kbEHJuXc— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) February 9, 2016