BLACKSBURG — Six hundred fifteen days. That's how long it's been since Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum was filled with the roars supplied by Hokie Nation. That streak comes to an end Tuesday at 8 p.m. when Virginia Tech hosts Maine in a nonconference game on ACC Network Extra.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Tuesday, November 9 | 8 p.m. ET
Cassell Coliseum (Blacksburg, Va.)
vs. Maine (0-0, 0-0 America East)
Series: VT leads 1-0
Game Notes: Virginia Tech | Maine
5 Things to Know
TV Broadcast
ACC Network Extra
Play-by-Play: Bailey Angle
Analyst: Mack McCarthy
Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Jon Laaser
Analyst: Mike Burnop
THE SERIES
- Virginia Tech won the lone meeting with the Black Bears, 80-67, on November 11, 2016.
- Like this year, that game was also the season opener for both teams.
A WIN WOULD...
- Improve Tech's record in season openers to 86-28.
- Be the Hokies' sixth straight season-opening win, dating back to 2016-17.
WHO TO WATCH
- Keve Aluma is back for one more go around in Blacksburg.
- He led the Hokies in scoring (15.2) and double-doubles (6), while shooting 49 percent from the floor.
CLOSING IN ON 600
- Mike Young, who is in his 20th season as a college head coach, is three games away from reaching 600 games coached as the head whistle.
- He has compiled a 330-267 (.553) career ledger as a head coach.
STORM WARNING
- Grad student Storm Murphy takes over the reins at point guard following the graduation of Wabissa Bede.
- The Wofford transfer averaged 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season. He was one of only 11 players to average that stat line or better nationally.
- Murphy tallied double figures in 21 of 24 contests, including 10 20-point performances, and dished over five assists on eight occasions.
- He concluded his Wofford career with 1,315 points to finish 24th on the program's all-time scoring list.
- The First-Team All-SoCon selection will provide a scoring threat from outside, as he shot 40 percent from three last season.
- Murphy knocked down 70 3-pointers a year ago. In comparison, Bede connected on 12 with a 24.5 percent clip.
- With the addition of Murphy, Tech can stretch defenses even more now that opponents must respect the long range shot from the point guard position.
DANCIN' IN YEAR TWO
- In previous seasons in Virginia Tech history, the fastest head coach to make the NCAA Tournament was in Year Three. Those Hokies were Howie Shannon, Charlie Moir and Buzz Williams.
- Therefore, with Mike Young doing so in Year Two, he became the fastest Tech coach to make The Dance.
MOMENTUM ON OUR SIDE
- With its third-place finish in the regular-season standings in 2020-21, Tech has finished in the top five of the ACC two of the last three seasons.
- Placing third tied for the highest ACC finish in school history as the Hokies tied for third in 2006-07 and 2009-10.
- If Tech can post a top-five ACC finish this season, it would mark the third time in four years accomplishing that feat.
- The Hokies charted five top-five ACC finishes in seven years from 2004-05 to 2011-12.
SCOUTING MAINE
- Maine heads into its season opener with many new faces, including nine newcomers on the court and three new assistant coaches on staff.
- The Black Bears are under the direction of Richard Barron, who is in his fourth season at the helm in Orono. He's the 22nd head coach in their program's history.
- Barron previously served as a Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics at Maine since December 1, 2017. He was the head coach of the Maine women's basketball team from 2011 to 2017 before taking a medical leave of absence in January 2017.
- After reaching a decision to conclude its 2020-21 season on Feb. 12 due to challenges related to COVID-19, Maine returns to action for the first time since a Jan. 17 loss at Vermont (88-60).
- LeChaun DuHart is the leading returning scorer for the Black Bears after averaging 11 points per game. He reached double-figure scoring in four of Maine's nine games, including a season-high 19 at Boston College.
UP NEXT
- The Hokies will travel to Annapolis, Maryland for the Veterans Classic hosted by Navy. The seventh-ever meeting between Tech and the Mids will tip off at 8:30 p.m. and be televised by CBS Sports Network.
