Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: 2018-19 College basketball game preview, TV schedule
The Virginia Tech Hokies host the Boston College Golden Eagles on Saturday in what should be a fun matchup. Here’s a look at all you need to know.
TV schedule: Saturday, Jan. 5, 12:00 p.m. ET. ESPN
Arena: Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia
The Virginia Tech Hokies are already 1-0 in ACC play entering their meeting with the Boston College Golden Eagles on Saturday. It will be an interesting matchup for the Hokies as they’ll look to contain another opponent with a backcourt attack of its own.
Led by junior guard Ky Bowman and freshman guard Wynston Tabbs, the Golden Eagles enter the meeting with a record of 9-3. The loss of Jerome Robinson to the NBA had early predictions looking gloomy but Tabbs has come on strong for Boston College right away.
He’s putting up 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game and shooting 34.1 percent from behind the arc through 12 appearances. Bowman is averaging 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 34.2 percent from 3-point range.
The X-factor for the Golden Eagles, though, will be 6-foot-11 forward Nik Popovic. He’s coming in putting up 13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. If he can establish himself inside and get the Hokies in foul trouble, Boston College could pull off the upset.
Nobody in the ACC is shooting 3-pointers quite like the Virginia Tech Hokies, though. They rank first in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (45.3) and 3-pointers made per game (11.2) entering their matchup.
The Hokies 3-point shooting has them ranked 10th in the AP Poll and off to a 12-1 start as the New Year gets underway. Senior guard Ahmed Hill is averaging 2.8 makes per game from 3-point land while senior forward Ty Outlaw is putting up 2.4 makes per contest and leads the team in percentage with 53.4 percent.
Seven different Virginia Tech players are shooting over 34 percent from 3-point range this season, an impressive feat considering they lost one of their best players right before games began.
It will be interesting to see how Boston College will defend the Hokies, especially on the road. Virginia Tech is 8-0 at home this season and coming off an impressive victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last Saturday. In that one, the Hokies went 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) from deep en route to an 81-66 victory.
Next. Key storylines to Boston College-Virginia Tech. dark
3-point shooting isn’t Virginia Tech’s only strength as they’re also a relentless team on defense. They’ve allowed just 57.3 points per game while scoring 81.5 points per game on offense this season. They’ll give Ky Bowman and company everything they can handle and then some on Saturday. In either case, expect an exciting game. Boston College has lost four games in a row coming in.
Prediction – Virginia Tech 82 – Boston College 72