Virginia Tech Basketball: 3 keys for the Hokies against Gardner-Webb

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Justin Robinson #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after fouling out against the Alabama Crimson Tide late in the second half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images /

3. Establish their identity on defense

Under head coach Buzz Williams, the Hokies haven’t always been the biggest teams but they’ve been a scrappy bunch on the defensive end. With a lot of seniors on this team, they should be ready to buckle down and have a solid season on the defensive end.

Without Clarke, guys like Ahmed Hill and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are going to have to step things up defensively. Hill is entering his senior season after 10.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. After finding his mojo from behind the arc last season, he’ll need to do the same on the defensive end.

Alexander-Walker had a fine freshman season, averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game but he’s another player that could step it up on the defensive end, especially given his length at 6-foot-5.

Gardner-Webb has 6-foot-6 junior D.J. Laster in the post, a player that averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 2017-18. He put up 14 points and five rebounds in their season opener against the VCU Rams on Tuesday night, but he also had six turnovers. Gardner-Webb should look to establish his presence early and see what happens, but a suffocating defense could change all of that.

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