Virginia Tech Basketball: 2018-19 keys to victory for the Hokies at Virginia

1. Slow down the Cavaliers bench

The Hokies have quite the guard production in their rotation but they aren’t the deepest ACC squad in the frontcourt. With a limited rotation, they’ll need to do a good job keying in on key players, especially on the Cavaliers bench, as well as stay out of foul trouble. Kerry Blackshear Jr. will be the most important line of defense in this one, though Ty Outlaw and P.J. Horne should also play big roles.

Virginia’s bench is averaging 21.0 points per game through conference play behind 12.0 points per contest from junior guard Braxton Key. He’s also putting up 7.7 rebounds and shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range. He’ll be one player the Hokies will need to key in on to slow down the Virginia scoring attack.

In a victory last season on Jan. 3, the Cavaliers got 32 points from their bench in a 78-52 victory. In their loss in February, the bench scored just 16 points.

The odds are certainly stacked against the Hokies if you look at the series’ history. Virginia Tech has won three of the last 10 meetings dating back to the 2011-12 season. The last two victories have come in overtime and double overtime for the Hokies so don’t be surprised if it takes an extra period or two to decide things.