Busting Brackets
Fansided

Virginia Tech Basketball: 3 keys to victory over Texas in Round of 64

By Jerran Anderson

Jan 26, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Darius Maddox (13) warming up before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Darius Maddox (13) warming up before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Mandatory Credit: Ryan Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ryan Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

Virginia Tech Basketball finds itself in the pivotal 6/11 matchup in this year’s NCAA Tournament after a magical run to an ACC Tournament Championship. Here’s a look at three keys to pulling off an upset on Friday evening against the Texas Longhorns.

Find the hot hand and flourish

All throughout the ACC Tournament, there was a different hand that played a part in a victory. Darius Maddox saved the day against Clemson in overtime. Keve Aluma and Storm Murphy combined for 36 points in their victory against Notre Dame.

Maddox poured in 20 points off the bench to power them over North Carolina in the semifinals. Then in the finals, Hunter Cattoor exploded for 31 points on seven made 3-pointers to make the Hokies the first seven-seed to win an ACC Tournament title.

It’s really been “pick your poison” with this Hokies’ squad that started 2-7 in ACC play before ending up in triumph with an NCAA Tournament bid. They’re peaking at the right time and the key has been finding the hot hand at the right time. With plenty of options to score the ball on Friday, the Hokies are in good shape.

Virginia Tech ranks third as a team in the NCAA in 3-pointers made at 39.3 percent on the season coming into Friday’s meeting with the Longhorns.  Nahiem Alleyne and Hunter Cattoor will have their hands full on both ends of the floor but it’s been the emergence of Maddox off the bench that’s truly sparked this group. If they can put it all together on Friday, look for them to have the world on upset alert.

Home/Virginia Tech Hokies