ACC Basketball: Preview of big matchup between Duke and Virginia Tech
Can the Virginia Tech Hokies upset the Blue Devils? Or will Duke win its second in a row without star freshman Zion Williamson?
TV Schedule: Tuesday, February 26, 2018, 7 p.m. ET. on ESPN.
Location: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.
The No. 3 Duke Blue Devils (24-3, 12-2) return to action on Tuesday night with a trip to No. 20 Virginia Tech (21-6, 10-5). Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced on Monday that star freshman Zion Williamson will not play for the second straight game.
Mike Krzyzewski tells reporters that Duke freshman Zion Williamson (knee) will not play on Tuesday night against Virginia Tech.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 25, 2019
Williamson, the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, injured his right knee in the opening minute of Duke’s loss to North Carolina last week. Coach K offered no firm timeline on Williamson’s return, however, it does appear close which is good news for the Blue Devils and all of college basketball.
The Hokies enter Tuesday’s game fourth in the ACC. An incredible mark considering the obstacles head coach Buzz Williams has faced this season. The Hokies lost key senior Chris Clarke and four-star freshman Landers Nolley just before the season, while All-ACC point guard Justin Robinson went down with a foot injury last month in a win at Miami and has yet to return.
Yet, Williams still has the perilously thin Hokies in the upper quarter of the ACC standings. A big reason for the Hokies’ success this season is junior big man Kerry Blackshear, Jr.
On the season, Blackshear is averaging almost 15 points per game and seven rebounds per contest, but it’s been his play lately that’s been most impressive. In the seven games since Robinson’s injury, Blackshear has averaged 20 PPG and has a stretch of three straight games scoring over 20 points. He’s arguably the league’s top post player and his performance against a stingy Virginia defense one week ago is proof of his strong play. Blackshear scored 23 points and pulled down 13 rebounds against UVA’s pack-line defense.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski on tomorrow's game at #Hokies Kerry Blackshear Jr.: "He's been one of the best players in the league, especially lately."
— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) February 25, 2019
Blackshear could give the Blue Devils plenty of trouble, particularly with Williamson out. Fortunately for Duke, it still has another pair of super freshmen in R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish. Barrett is the ACC’s leading scorer, averaging over 23 points per game. Reddish is contributing 14 points per contest.
Without Williamson against the Hokies, Duke is still four-point favorites, via Odds Shark. Of course, the Hokies also will be without Robinson, too. For Tech to pull off the upset, it will need to shoot the lights out. The Hokies are one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country and when they are on, they can be tough to beat. Recent history shows Virginia Tech can beat Duke, too. Since Williams took over as coach in 2014-15, the Hokies are 2-3 against the Blue Devils.
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The Blue Devils are fighting with Virginia and North Carolina for the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament while the Hokies are looking to lock up the No. 4 seed and a double bye in the ACC Tourney.