Virginia Tech Hokies (21-5, 8-4 ACC)

Boston College Eagles (13-13, 4-8 ACC)

Wednesday, February 24 @ 7 p.m.

TV: ESPNU

Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

The Opponent: The last time these two teams met up, I projected a rather easy Hokie victory, and that obviously wasn't the case. Tech struggled with the inferior Eagles, and needed a late Dorenzo Hudson put-back, after a controversial jump ball call, to squeak out a 63-62 win at Cassell Coliseum.

Needless to say, Seth Greenberg will have his squad prepared in what many pundits consider to be a trap game for the Hokies. Sure, Tech can look ahead to Saturday's battle for second place with the Maryland Terrapins, but a loss on Wednesday will make that battle obsolete, as the Hokies would fall two games behind the Terps in the loss column before the game even begins.

Last time against BC, the Hokies couldn't stop sophomore Reggie Jackson. Jackson was the first man off the bench for Al Skinner and proceeded to score 15 points and dish out seven assists. The point guard has since moved into the starting lineup and will look to bust out again against the Hokies. On the contrary, Tech did do a good job of limiting sharp-shooting Joe Trapani, who only scored six points all game. However, the Hokies did allow BC to shoot 55% as a team, something they can not afford to do again in Chestnut Hill.

My Thoughts: On paper, the Hokies should win this one. I emphasize the word "should" because Tech hasn't had that bad loss yet this year, and home teams are winning 70% of the games in the ACC. Plus, with Maryland looming Saturday, I wouldn't blame Tech for looking ahead, but they can't afford to right now.

Although some people think the Hokies are in the tournament now, they would be back on the bubble with a loss tonight. Tech needs at least two more wins to guarantee them a spot in the tournament, but right now Seth Greenberg's squad can't be focused on that, and instead they need to focus on winning as many games as they can.

Coach Greenberg has called BC the most physical team in the ACC (surprising, I know), which means Tech will have to be ready for a 40 minute battle. Reports have said that the Hokies have looked great in practice the last couple days, but can they translate it to the court when it's showtime?

BC limited Malcolm Delaney to only 13 points last time out, and Jeff Allen was in foul trouble and only scored nine. Delaney needs to get out of his recent foul habit, and of course, the same can be said for Allen. Those two sitting on the bench for an extended period of time Sunday might have cost Tech a chance at knocking off Duke.

The Hokies need more than 19-25 minutes of production from Jeff Allen every night. Recently, when Allen is in the game, the team looks better and the offense flows more effectively. Hopefully coach Greenberg has gotten into Allen's head about committing those "silly" fouls early in the game that he is known for. With that being said, I see Jeff Allen having a big game. He hasn't had one in awhile, and if he stays out of foul trouble I see him dominating the frontcourt of the Eagles.

GO HOKIES!!!

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