BLACKSBURG – In a showing that head coach Mike Young described as "pretty complete on both ends," Virginia Tech flexed its experienced and efficient muscle in Tuesday's 75-43 win over Louisville.
STREAKS ARE MEANT TO BROKEN
- The Hokies entered Tuesday's contest with 31-year drought in the win column against the Cardinals. However, Tech compensated for the 17-game losing streak with a 32-point win – the second-largest margin of victory in series history.
- In the hallowed 68-season history of ACC basketball, no team had ever started a season 0-4 or 2-7 in conference play then gone on to finish league play with a winning record. Until last night. Virginia Tech secured its spot in history with Tuesday's win.
EFFICIENT DEFENSE
- Louisville's 43 points were the least by an ACC opponent and the second fewest by any of Tech's competition this season. The Cardinals shot 36.2% from the field, the lowest by an ACC opponent against Virginia Tech since Wake Forest (27.3%) on Feb. 27, 2021.
- The Hokies forced 18 turnovers against Louisville, their best tally in conference competition this year. Tech's 10 steals were the second-most all season and the fifth time its caused double-digit steals in ACC play since Mike Young took charge.
MONSTER MUTTS
- Justyn Mutts recorded his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, although it was his rim-rocking dunk (assisted by Storm Murphy) that caught headlines.
- Mutts also dished out six assists, marking the seventh time that he has had five or more assists in a game this season.
- With his six assists last night, Mutts became the first Virginia Tech player since Wabissa Bede to have back-to-back games with six or more assists (1/28/20 and 2/1/20).
SHOOTERS SHOOT
- Despite struggling from beyond the arc and not reaching 40.0% from deep in its last five games, Virginia Tech continued to trust its shooters – putting up at least 20 attempts in all of those games.
- The consistency ultimately paid off, as Tech shot 42.9% (12-28) from deep against Louisville.
- The Hokies started the evening by shooting 4-4 from 3-point range, jumping out to a quick 12-2 lead.
- Four Hokies hit two or more shots from deep, led by bench players Sean Pedulla and Darius Maddox, who both hit three.