Virginia Tech vs Syracuse: 2019-20 key storylines for 2nd league clash

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange looks to pass the ball between Mamadi Diakite #25 and Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on November 6, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Virginia defeated Syracuse 48-34. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: Landers Nolley II #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

Battle of the leading scorers

During the non-conference portion of the season, both Landers Nolley and Elijah Hughes all but carried their respective programs in the scoring department. Hughes’ production was somewhat expected after the departures of Oshae Brissett and Tyus Battle from the season prior. He’s currently averaging 19.5 ppg, but also 5.1 rpg and a team-leading 4.4 apg. He’s second in the ACC in scoring and if the Orange could somehow finish in the top-4 of the conference, he could very well be a Conference Player of the Year candidate.

Nolley has been outstanding in his first year of playing. The redshirt freshman is putting up 18.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg on 40% shooting from deep. He came out on fire, dropping 30 points in a win over Clemson. The 6’7 scorer hasn’t had that “freshman wall” feeling yet, putting up 19.7 ppg in six conference games, including 29 in a pivotal win over NC State.

While the supporting cast has started to produce more, the biggest key to this game is the production of both Nolley and Hughes. Considering that these two play just about the entire game for their teams, look for them to be matched up against one another at varying points in this battle. Hughes had the individual advantage on the stat sheet, outscoring Hughes, 18-13. But neither was very efficient to have the defining difference. If one of these two goes off this weekend, it could be enough to lead their team to a win.