BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech looks to conclude its non-conference slate of games on a high note as it faces St. Bonaventure in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Shootout on Friday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The game, which will be televised on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. from the Spectrum Center, will be the first matchup between the Hokies and the Bonnies since Nov. 27, 2011, when Tech earned a 73-64 win inside Cassell Coliseum.
Despite a rally attempt falling short last Sunday in a tough road contest against Dayton, Tech enters with its preseason All-ACC first team selection Keve Aluma in great form. Aluma is averaging 16 points in his last six games while shooting 56 percent from the field. However, St. Bonaventure will have some experienced talent on its team that will provide a challenge for the Hokies' big man. The Bonnies' expected starting rotation features five seniors, all averaging double digits in scoring.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday, December 17 | 4:00 p.m. ET
Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)
vs. St. Bonaventure
Series: Virginia Tech leads 10-6
Game Notes: Virginia Tech (PDF) | St. Bonaventure (PDF)
TV Broadcast
ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Doug Sherman
Analyst: Chris Spatola
Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Jon Laaser
Analyst: Mike Burnop
THE SERIES
- The former Atlantic 10 foes are set to meet for the 17th time Friday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C. The Hokies hold a 10-6 advantage in the all-time series.
- This will be the second straight game against an A-10 opponent after falling to Dayton, 62-57, Sunday afternoon on the road.
- Friday's game will be the fourth time Tech and St. Bonaventure clash at a neutral site. The Hokies have a 2-1 edge in those meetings.
A WIN WOULD...
- Give the Hokies their first win at a neutral site this season.
- Improve Tech to 11-6 in the all-time series and mark its third straight win against the Bonnies.
- Prevent Tech from dropping back-to-back games for the second time this season.
- Secure the Hokies' second-best NET win of the season. St. Bonaventure checks in at No. 81 entering Friday's game.
HOKIES HEADLINES
- Keve Aluma has reached double-figure scoring in six straight games. He's at least tied for leading scorer honors in four straight games.
- Friday's game will feature two teams that rely heavily on their starting five. The Hokies' starters produce 74.3 percent of Tech's scoring. The Bonnies get 86.9 percent of their scoring from starters. In fact, only three bench players have scored for SBU all season.
EXPERIENCE VS. EXPERIENCE
- Friday's game will feature two of the more veteran starting lineups in the nation.
- The Hokies will have three fifth-year players in their starting lineup, meanwhile the Bonnies will have five seniors or older in their starting rotation.
EMBRACE HARD
- Mike Young told the Hokies in the locker room following their win over Cornell to "embrace hard."
- He was referring to Tech's upcoming schedule, which includes road dates at Dayton, Duke and North Carolina, along with a neutral-site matchup with preseason A-10 favorite St. Bonaventure.