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 Lauren Rakes/Getty Images /

1. Find a new Sixth Man

Chris Clarke was indispensable as the Hokies’ energy guy off the bench in 2017-18. He saved them with a lot of key plays during his junior year and was due for a big senior season before being suspended indefinitely. With him out, Virginia Tech will miss his versatility and ability to guard some of the tougher posts when his teammates were in foul trouble.

One player that comes to mind is P.J. Horne. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Horne plays a lot bigger than his height. He will need to do his best to stay out of foul trouble as will Kerry Blackshear Jr. Without a versatile player in the rotation, they will be two important players in the frontcourt for 2018-19.

He averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 28 appearances during the 2017-18 season. He’ll be prime for big minutes in the frontcourt this season so his production could balloon as a result.

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Gardner-Webb has 6-foot-5 freshman guard Jose Perez on their side. He poured in 16 points and snagged five rebounds off the bench in his debut against the Rams. It came in a loss but he’ll be an X-Factor against the Hokies going into Friday night’s matchup.

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