Can UNC stay hot vs. Virginia Tech?

by Sharon Thorsland

North Carolina continues its home stand with a prime time ACC match up against Virginia Tech at the Dean Dome. The 18th-ranked Tar Heels (23-6, 11-5 ACC) are coming off an impressive win over Louisville on Monday night, with senior guard Seth Trimble scoring 30 in the key conference game. The Hokies (18-10, 7-8 ACC) are well-rested after a bye this week, their last game was as blowout of Wake Forest last Saturday that snapped a two-game losing skid. Tip-off is set for 8:30 Saturday night on WBT.

The Hokies have been trending in the wrong direction. They’ve lost four of their last six games and are on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament. Their offense runs through big man Amani Hansberry, who leads the team with 14.7 points and nabs 7.7 rebounds a contest. The junior is on his third team after stints at Illinois and West Virginia. Hansberry teams with senior forward Tobi Lawal, who leads the team with 8.8 rebounds a game. The Hokies have multiple ballhandlers and use a deep rotation in the backcourt. Point guard Ben Hammond leads the way averaging 12.6 points per game and is a sharp-shooter, hitting 43% of his 3-point attempts. That number increases to an incredible 50% in conference games. Keeping him in check will be key for the Tar Heels, who have allowed guards to take over games in their losses. Hammond teams with Greek player Neoklis Avdalas and Duke transfer Jaden Schutt, who is averaging 40% from behind the arc. Senior Jailen Beford and Tyler Johnson combine for over 20 points a game. Overall, the Hokies are dangerous from three, ranking 6th in the ACC at 35.3%. That’s something the Tar Heels have to limit to keep the Hokies from pulling the upset.

Defensively, the Hokies allow 74 points a contest and give up a lot of offensive rebounds – that’s good news for the Tar Heels, who are still without star freshman Caleb Wilson and his 10 rebounds per game.

On paper this looks like a game that UNC should have no trouble winning. Even without Wilson, the Tar Heels are just fine inside with Henri Veesaar and Jalin Stevenson. And if Trimble can play like he did in the win over Louisville, the Heels should be just fine. UNC has won nine straight over Virginia Tech at the Smith Center and should make it 10 in a row to stay undefeated at home this season. Go Tar Heels!