ACC Basketball Tournament: NC State and Syracuse survive to quarters

ACC Basketball: NC State, Syracuse survive, Va Tech and Louisville cruise in 2nd round

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 13: Markell Johnson #11 of the NC State Wolfpack reacts after a play against the Clemson Tigers during their game in the second round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 13, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

3. Virginia Tech cruises past the Hurricanes

The Virginia Tech Hokies didn’t play like it was their first game of the ACC Tournament as they jumped out to an early 11-0 lead on the Miami Hurricanes and never looked back as they rolled to a 71-56 victory. The Hokies shot 50 percent from the floor and 40.7 percent from behind the arc as a team, showing that they’re focused already heading into a tough gauntlet of games.

Kerry Blackshear Jr. led the way once again for Virginia Tech with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. It was his fourth double-double in the past six games as he’s seen an increased role in the absence of Justin Robinson.

Ty Outlaw finished with 14 points and eight rebounds on 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point land. It was Outlaw’s fourth-straight game with at least three made 3-pointers in a contest.

The other spark came off the bench from freshman Isaiah Wilkins. Wilkins had 10 points and three rebounds in 22 minutes of action. He’ll be a key piece in their quarterfinal matchup against a deep Florida State Seminoles squad.

The Seminoles beat the Hokies 73-64 in overtime in Tallahassee back on March 5 to clinch fourth place in the ACC basketball standings. Virginia Tech will be out for revenge on Thursday afternoon as Florida State looks to get another victory.