The Virginia Cavaliers (11-1) are set to face off against in-state rival Virginia Tech (11-2) on Wednesday at 2 PM on the ACC Network, serving as the conference opener for both teams. This New Year’s Eve
matchup will be the first of two between the Hokies and ‘Hoos, with the latter coming in March at John Paul Jones Arena.
This contest in Blacksburg is set to be a good one with Mike Young expecting a return from one of, if not both, his best players who have missed some time this year. Neoklis Avdalas, the freshman standout from Greece, will be back in the lineup on Wednesday after missing their most recent game versus Elon. Avdalas averages 14.5 points per game and shoots 37% from behind the arc. Tobi Lawal appears to be a game-day decision for the Hokies, and if he is given the green light for this matchup, he will certaintly be a problem for the ‘Hoos. Lawal is a freak athlete and does it all for Virignia Tech, averaging 12.8 points per game and leading the team in rebounds with 10.3 per game.
Virginia Tech will be missing Tyler Johnson in this one after he hurt his foot in the final minutes against Elon. Johnson is a solid sophomore guard who is averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Hokies and is one of their better perimeter defenders. Virginia, on the other hand, will be without one of their stars, Jacari White, as he is still nursing a wrist injury. This will be the second game in a row that White will sit out due to his injury.
This will be a quadrant one opportunity for both squads as Virignia currently sits at #24 in the NCAA NET rankings, which falls under the #1-30 home category for the Hokies, and Virignia Tech sits at #63, which falls under the #1-75 away category for the “Hoos.
2 Matchups
TDR vs. Neo
It’s not just the two teams as a whole with bragging rights on the line; Thijs De Ridder and Neoklis Avdalas were two of the top international pick-ups this offseason, and both have lived up to the hype so far this season. We may see some fluidity in who Odom decides to put on Neo between De Ridder and Devin Tillis, but these two will certaintly be matched up against each other, and whoever does their job on the defensive end will have the edge in this game.
De Ridder has more of a supporting cast than Avdalas does, so a below-average game from TDR is less impactful on the result than a below-average game from Neo, but nonetheless, this matchup will prove to be significant in the final score.
Take vs. Make behind the arc
So far this season, Virginia Tech’s opponents have not been shy in attempting the three-point shot against them. The Hokies are seeing over 25 three-point attempts against them per game, but only 7.5 go through the net. Virignia will certaintly keep those attempts around the same number, but their key to victory will be to make 10-12 threes. With Jacari White (2.7 3P makes a game) being sidelined, this number will be harder to reach, but it is still well within reach, as Virginia still has five guys who shoot 40% or better from behind the arc.
I see Malik Thomas in a potential breakout spot for the ‘Hoos as well. The senior transfer from San Fransico is shooting the three at a 28% clip this season, a 10% drop from the last two seasons. With favorable matchups against the Hokie guards, I see a potential for Thomas to do some damage in Cassell Coliseum.
Prediction
Give me the ‘Hoos in this one. If Lawal plays, it will be closer, but Virginia has too many weapons on offense for the Hokies to tame.
Virginia 82 Virginia Tech 74
