BLACKSBURG – Hitting the road for the first time since November, the [RV/--] Virginia Tech men's basketball team will take on in-state rival No. 19/19 Virginia in Charlottesville at John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.
The Hokies (10-3, 1-1 ACC) will go up against a team that has won the last two games in the rivalry, with the Cavaliers (10-2, 2-0) adding to their advantage in the all-time series 93-56. Tech is 2-3 in the last five games and needed overtime in both contests to come away with victories.
The Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529 stands in the favor of Virginia 4-2 so far. Virginia529 is the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics and the University of Virginia Athletics. To learn more about Virginia529 and the competition, visit www.thecommonwealthclash.com.
The matchup with the Cavs will be broadcast on regional sports networks (click here), with Tom Werme (play-by-play) and Mike Gminski (analyst) on the call for the second straight game, while Jon Laaser (play-by-play) and Mike Burnop (analyst) will broadcast on Virginia Tech Sports Properties.
GAME INFORMATION
Sat. | 2 p.m. ET vs. No. 19/19 Virginia | Stats | Watch | Radio | Notes
The last time out, Tech exploded offensively scoring 90+ points for the second time this season and put on the clamps defensively, holding Maryland Eastern Shore (1-14) to under 40 points in a 92-37 victory. Four Hokies scored in double figures while Tech won the boards 53-34 in the 55-point W.
Earlier this week, guard/forward Landers Nolley II earned his fourth ACC Freshman of the Week honor, making him one away from tying last year's high of five set by Duke's Zion Williamson and North Carolina's Coby White.
The Hokies have worked their way up to No. 1 in the nation in fewest turnovers committed per game, averaging 9.5 miscues a contest. They have had 25 their last four games (6.25 p/g). A big reason why the jump is Tech committed just two turnovers in its last game, tying the school record set in 2007 versus Wake Forest at the ACC Tournament.
SCOUTING No. 19/19 VIRGINIA
• The Cavaliers are coming off a 65-56 win over Navy (7-5) this past Sunday, getting a double-double from Kihei Clark with 10 points and a career-high 13 assists. Three other Cavaliers scored in double figures while UVA shot 53.2 percent from the field.
• Tony Bennett enters his 11th season as the head coach in Charlottesville, following his three-year stint at Washington State where he led the Cougars to consecutive NCAA Tournaments for the first time in school history. At UVA, Bennett has earned three National Coach of the Year awards and won the NCAA title last season with a school-record 35 wins.
• Virginia is paced by Mamadi Diakite, who owns a team-high 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. A preseason All-ACC pick, Diakite has caused quite a bit of havoc the defensive end, forcing 27 opponent turnovers (14 blocks, 13 steals).
•. Arguably the best defense in the country, the Cavaliers rank first in scoring defense (47.3 points allowed per game) and defensive field-goal percentage (34.6 percent). On the other end of the spectrum, UVA ranks No. 348 out of 353 Division I teams in scoring (55.2 points per game).
