Tech preps for noon clash with No. 6 VirginiaTech preps for noon clash with No. 6 Virginia
Men's Basketball

Tech preps for noon clash with No. 6 Virginia

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Virginia (17-3, 9-2 ACC) 
vs. Virginia Tech (13-9, 3-8 ACC) 
February 4, 2023
Cassell Coliseum
Noon ET
ESPN2
Virginia Tech Sports Network

BLACKSBURG – With its sights set on a momentum-shifting win, Virginia Tech welcomes No. 6 Virginia into Cassell Coliseum on Saturday at noon for the second round of the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. Dave O'Brien, Cory Alexander and Angel Gray will be in the building for ESPN2, while Zach Mackey and Mike Burnop will provide coverage for the Virginia Tech Sports Network.

Saturday's game is a Maroon Out, so Tech fans are encouraged to wear maroon. Air Elite Dunkers will be the halftime act.
 

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SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS

  • The Cavaliers defeated Syracuse, 67-62, in their last outing on Monday. Jayden Gardner scored 17 points, while Kihei Clark added 12 points and a game-high 10 assists for his third career double-double.
  • Armaan Franklin is in the midst of a 10-game double-digit scoring streak, in which he is averaging 16.3 points. 
  • Virginia leads the ACC in scoring defense (60.2), scoring margin (10.2), 3-point percentage (38.5%), assists (16.6 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.75)

The Series

  • UVA owns a 97-58 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to Feb. 20, 1915. The Cavaliers took the season's first meeting, 78-68, in Charlottesville. 
  • The 2021-22 season series was split with each team winning on its home court. 
  • The Hokies are 31-24 against UVA in Blacksburg and have won two in a row inside Cassell against the 'Hoos, including a 62-53 decision last year. 
  • A half point is up for grabs in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. UVA currently leads, 5-1.5. 
  • Saturday will be the 29th meeting between the two programs where UVA is ranked. Tech is 7-21 in those matchups. This is UVA's highest ranking in the series since Feb. 18, 2019 (No. 3). 

HIGH-STAKES SATURDAY

  • The Hokies return home for a colossal clash with rival and sixth-ranked Virginia. UVA presents Tech's highest-ranked opponent so far this season. 
  • Tech will be vying for its third Quad 1 win (UVA ranks No. 14 in the NET). The Hokies last beat a top-six team on Nov. 28, 2020 (No. 3 Villanova). 
  • The Hokies have one win this season against an AP-ranked foe (No. 18 UNC). 

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

  • Ace Custis, who played for the Hokies from 1993-1997, currently serves as Special Assistant to the Head Coach on Young's staff. Custis is in his fourth season in this role. 
  • He became the third player in program history to score 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. His No. 20 jersey was retired in 1997 – one of just four men's basketball players to be recognized in this way. 
  • Custis was a part of the 1995 NIT championship team. He finished with 1,706 points and 1,177 rebounds at Tech. 

COMMONWEALTH CLASH

  • Smithfield, the presenting sponsor of the Commonwealth Clash, enters its second year sponsoring the friendly, statewide rivalry between Virginia Tech and Virginia. With 22 individual event points on the line, the school that accumulates 11.5 or more points is crowned the winner and takes home the Commonwealth Clash trophy. For more information, visit vthoki.es/Smithfield.

  • A half point is up for grabs in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. UVA currently leads, 5-1.5. 

UP NEXT

  • Virginia Tech faces Boston College in a midweek tilt inside Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday. The game is sold out, but fans can purchase tickets to the contest on StubHub, the official secondary marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.