Virginia vs. Virginia Tech: 2018-19 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Neil Adler
It’s a battle of the Commonwealth, as Virginia Tech travels to Virginia for an Atlantic Coast Conference clash that is critical to the early league race.
TV schedule: Tuesday, January 15, 8:00 pm ET. ACC Network Extra.
Arena: John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va.
Bragging rights are on the line in the Commonwealth of Virginia when two top-10 teams square off on Tuesday evening.
No. 4 Virginia (15-0, 3-0) is hosting No. 9 Virginia Tech (14-1, 3-0) at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., with both of these crews tied for first place along with No. 1 Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.
The Cavaliers and No. 2 Michigan are the only remaining unbeaten groups in Division I men’s basketball. This past Saturday, UVA took care of Clemson on the road, 63-43.
The Hokies, meanwhile, have assuredly benefited from a long break, as VT most recently suited up on Jan. 9 in a duel at stingy Georgia Tech in Atlanta. In that encounter, the Hokies proved dreadful from the field, however, Virginia Tech managed to squeak by the Yellow Jackets, 52-49.
The Cavaliers and the Hokies enter this affair on significant rolls. They have begun the 2018-19 campaign with 15-straight successes, while VT has captured nine conquests in a row.
Among the Hokies’ solid wins are a pair on neutral courts against Purdue and Washington. Virginia Tech’s sole setback is at Penn State by one point.
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UVA’s resume is strong. It has defeated Wisconsin at a neutral site, as well as Maryland in College Park, Md. The Cavaliers also destroyed then-No. 9 Florida State at home.
In recent stanzas, Virginia has maintained one of the premier defenses across the country, and the present term is no different. The Cavaliers are giving up a paltry 51.2 points a game. By extension, VT is holding its own on defense, only allowing 57.3 points per contest.
In 2017-18, these two programs each bested the other one on the road. Does that provide the Hokies with an advantage this go-round? I’m not so sure, since UVA is extremely difficult to conquer in Charlottesville.
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index says that the Cavaliers possess a 78.6 percent chance to prevail. That said, I do believe Virginia and Virginia Tech are evenly matched. They both avoid committing a lot of turnovers, and each squad shoots prolifically from the field as a whole, the charity stripe, and beyond the arc.
Next. ACC Power Rankings. dark
Whichever unit ultimately emerges victorious will have to control the glass, secure some easy baskets out in transition, and limit its foul trouble. I’m super torn about predicting the outcome, but, in the end, I feel that the Cavaliers will take care of business at home.
Prediction: Virginia 66 – Virginia Tech 60