Keve Aluma needs a big game for Virginia Tech Basketball to upset Florida

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 11: Head coach Mike Young of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts following a basket during the first half of their quarterfinals game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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Hunter Cattoor Virginia Tech Basketball (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Hokies must get their shooters going early to upset Florida

Virginia Tech has a multitude of three-point shooters on at Mike Young’s disposal. Hunter Cattoor shoots 45% from behind the arc, Nahiem Alleyne shoots 40%, and big man Keve Aluma is not even a bad three-point shooter himself as he shoots 35% from three. Unfortunately, Jalen Cone will not be available to play Friday because of a foot injury. Even with his injury, the Hokies will have plenty of shooters to be able to make up for Cone being out.

The reason I think this is a big key for the Hokies is when you look back at past games, Tech kind of lives and dies by the three-point shot. In all of Tech’s four wins against ranked opponents, they shot 30% or higher and in three of those games, they shot 50% from three. While in four out of their six losses Tech shot below 30% from three.

I think the Hokies will be able to get open shots in this game. Florida allows 69 points a game, good for 165th in the country, which is not bad, but still is enough for the Hokies to exploit.

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