Duke vs. Virginia Tech: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Nearly two weeks ago, Duke destroyed Virginia Tech without Marvin Bagley III. Do the Hokies even have a chance this time around?

TV schedule: Monday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. ET. ESPN

Arena: Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia

When Duke 24-5 (12-4) lost the team’s top player Marvin Bagley III over a couple if weeks ago, it looked like the Blue Devils would take a step back. However, Grayson Allen and Wendell Carter Jr. have both stepped up big time, leading the team to four wins in a row.

But the 20 and 10 freshman made his return on Saturday, coming off the bench against Syracuse. He finished with a game-high 19 points and seven rebounds. Duke prevailed at home against the Orange 60-44 despite going just 2/19 from three-point range.

Now at full-strength, the Blue Devils will be taking on Virginia Tech 20-9 (9-7). The Hokies just a few weeks ago were sitting on the outside looking in, but after quality wins against Virginia and Clemson, they’re looking very secure in their at-large hopes. They did just recently lose to Louisville at home over the weekend, but it hardly counts as a bad loss.

When these two teams played earlier in the month, it was without Bagley. Yet a strong defensive second half by Duke allowed them to move past the Hokies, 74-52. Justin Bibbs was the only player for Virginia Tech to play well, scoring 15 points. He was the only one to be in double figures, while Duke had four who did so. Allen had 25 points, Gary Trent Jr. had 19 points, while Carter provided a 13 point, 13 rebound double-double.

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Because of the win versus Clemson, this is not a must-win for Virginia Tech. However, a bad loss in the ACC tournament could make them sweat in the Big Dance. To make all of that meaningless, they can beat Duke. However, this is just a bad matchup for the Hokies, and with Bagley back, this could be another blowout.

Prediction: Duke 80 – Virginia Tech 65