59

70

If I were to tell you the Hokies would shoot 15.4% in the first half (the worst percentage for a half in school history) and only make two three-pointers, you would probably wonder how much Tech lost by. I would then tell you that the Hokies made more points at the free-throw line (38) than they did from the field (32) on their way to an impressive 70-59 win over the Clemson Tigers before a raucous Cassell Coliseum crowd.

Tech (18-4, 5-3 ACC) didn't make a shot for the first 8:21 of the game, and found themselves trailing 9-1 before a Jeff Allen jumper gave the Hokies their first made field goal. Thankfully, Clemson (16-7, 4-5 ACC) wasn't exactly great on offense either. The Tigers shot 35% in the first half on 9-of-26 shooting, and couldn't really pull away from Tech. Their 35% shooting looked great compared to the Hokies' 4-of-26 (15.4%) shooting. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they committed 16 fouls, which led to 25 free throw attempts by the Hokies, in the first half.

Clemson Tigers (16-6, 4-4 ACC)

Virginia Tech Hokies (17-4, 4-3 ACC)

Saturday, February 6 4 p.m.

TV: Raycom Sports

Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia

The Opponent: Clemson picked up a much needed victory this past Sunday over Maryland 62-53. Prior to that, the Tigers had lost three straight, capped off by an upset loss at Boston College. Still though, Clemson ranks 32nd in the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), which would give the Hokies their first top 50 win if they were to win.

The Tigers recent swoon has been partially attributed to the loss of point guard Demontez Stitt (6-2, 175 lbs.). Stitt has missed the last two games due to a foot injury, and he is listed as questionable for Saturday's game. Stitt's 11 points per game ranks second on the team, and his replacement Andre Young (5-9, 170 lbs.) averages a rather reasonable eight points per game.

70

74

Editor's Note: Before Kevin gets into all this, I have to say that beating UNC makes me extremely happy. As a Virginia Tech Alumnus, and a long-time Kansas fan, seeing Roy Williams is pretty much the greatest thing ever. Shout out to Malcolm Delaney, who is my freaking hero.

Forget the fact that UNC is 13-9 and 2-5 in the ACC. It's still the University of North Carolina and any win over the Tar Heels is a big win for the Hokies. Thursday's 74-70 win marked the first win over UNC in six tries and it moved the Hokies to 4-3 in the ACC. With Clemson coming to town tomorrow, the win provides a chance to move to two games over .500 in the ACC with a win Saturday.

The Hokies (17-4, 4-3) got out to a great start in front of a raucous Cassell Coliseum crowd. Tech got off to a 12-point lead on three separate occasions in the first half, but UNC used a 14-2 run to tie the game at 24-24. The Hokies increased their lead back to four before the Heels ended the first half on a 6-0 run to take a 35-33 lead at halftime.

North Carolina Tar Heels (13-8, 2-4 ACC)

Virginia Tech Hokies (16-4, 3-3 ACC)

Thursday, February 4, 9 p.m.

TV: Raycom Sports Split
Note: Since Maryland is playing at the same time, many fans in NOVA may not be able to watch this game. Check your TV guide for alternate channels.

Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia

The Opponent: UNC comes limping into Blacksburg after an embarrassing 75-60 home loss to UVA this past Sunday. This isn't your typical Tar Heel team, as UNC currently sits at 10th in the ACC with a 2-4 conference mark. Their two wins were against the Hokies (78-64) and 11th place NC State (77-63), but other than that they've been blown out a majority of the time.

75

82

You can't blame the Hokies for coming out flat in the first half against Miami Sunday. Tech was coming off an emotionally-charged overtime win Thursday, had to travel to Miami a day early on Friday due to snow, and faced a well-rested team that hadn't played since Tuesday.

Despite all that plus a 17-point halftime deficit, the Hokies made a game of it, but still fell to the Hurricanes 82-75. Miami (16-5, 2-5 ACC) shot 70% in the first half to open up the 17-point lead that they saw shrink to as low as five in the second half. On the other hand, the Hokies (16-4, 3-3 ACC) started poorly for the second consecutive game to find themselves in a double-digit deficit.

(ed. note: too bad Jimmy Graham can't drop passes and help the Hokies win THIS game)

Virginia Tech Hokies (16-3, 3-2 ACC)

Miami Hurricanes (15-5, 1-5 ACC)

Sunday, January 31 1 p.m.

TV: Raycom Sports (TV Listings)

BankUnited Center, Coral Gables, Florida

The Opponent: After coming off a win against the biggest surprise in the ACC, the Hokies travel to Miami to face the biggest dud so far in ACC play. The Hurricanes, quite frankly, have been awful within the conference. Miami came into Blacksburg as the #23 team in the nation at 15-1. After falling behind 48-13 in the first half to the Hokies, the 'Canes haven't been the same.

76

71

For the majority of Thursday's game in Charlottesville, the Hokies looked like the team that was dead last in the ACC in shooting percentage. Then, after the final media timeout, Tech mounted a furious 10-point comeback only to see UVA's Sammy Zeglinski nail an improbable three-pointer to send the game into overtime. Fortunatly for Tech fans, the Hokies dominated the overtime session and went on to a stunning 76-71 win at John Paul Jones Arena.

Virginia Tech Hokies (15-3, 2-2 ACC)

Thursday, January 26 7:00 p.m.

The Opponent: UVA is the surprise team of the ACC this year, sitting atop the standings at 3-1 in conference play. Under first-year coach Tony Bennett (not the singer), the Wahoos struggled early on. Losses to South Florida, Stanford, Penn State and Auburn had many people wondering if UVA had improved at all from last year, which resulted in the firing of Barack Obama stunt double Dave Leitao. However, the Cavs then went on an eight-game winning streak, before falling to Wake Forest last time out 69-57.

Today's Hokie Hoops preview post comes from FFODC's new basketball consultant, Kevin Burke. Kevin is a sophomore communication major at Virginia Tech, and his ultimate goal is to become a sports writer or play-by-play announcer. Kevin comes to FFODC from his own blog, Upon Further Review, and will also be covering Wizards basketball as well.

A win is a win, no matter how you slice it. Sure, it's cliche, but it sums up the Hokies' 63-62 win over Boston College (11-9, 2-4 ACC) Saturday. Tech (15-3, 2-2 ACC) blew a 14-point first half lead and a 9-point halftime lead, only to find themselves down three in the final 30 seconds. Last year, things would have gone differently, this year, things seem to be bouncing the right way for the Hokies.

The Hokies looked good in the first half. Malcolm Delaney nailed two three-pointers to open up the scoring, but he was silenced for the majority of the game. Terrell Bell helped out on defense, turning turnovers into big transition dunks that got the crowd going. Tech was up 15-6 at the first media timeout, but didn't score during the next four minute segment before another timeout, allowing BC back in the game.

Today's Hokie Hoops preview post comes from FFODC's new basketball consultant, Kevin Burke. Kevin is a sophomore communication major at Virginia Tech, and his ultimate goal is to become a sports writer or play-by-play announcer. Kevin comes to FFODC from his own blog, Upon Further Review, and will also be covering Wizards basketball as well.

When: Saturday, January 23 1:30 p.m.

TV: Raycom Sports (TV Listings)

Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA

The Opponent: Boston College comes in off a stunning 17-point comeback against Miami Tuesday night. The 79-75 win was the first in the last four games for the Eagles, who had lost three straight to Duke, Clemson and Maryland. BC has good wins on the season over South Carolina and Michigan, but they also have questionable losses to Maine and Harvard. Statistically, the Eagles have the worst overall record in the ACC at 11-8, and both of their ACC wins have come against Miami by a combined total of five points.