Virginia Tech Travels to Chapel Hill to Take on North Carolina

After a brutal loss last Monday to rival Virginia, No.9 Virginia Tech(15-2)(4-1 Conf.) bounced back nicely over the weekend with a 87-71 win over Wake Forest. While No.13 North Carolina(14-4)(4-1 Conf.) is coming off an impressive 85-76 victory over Miami and looks to defend home court.

How Virginia Tech Can Win: 

Virginia Tech shot terribly on Monday against UVA, shooting only 33% from the three point line and 43% from the field. That simply can not happen against UNC, as the Hokies must take advantage of North Carolina’s poor defense this season. The Tar Heels have give up 73 points a game this season which is 231st in the nation. If the Hokies want to go on the road and win this game they are simply gonna have to find ways to put the ball in the basket.

How North Carolina Can Win:

North Carolina must find ways to score the ball against a elite Virginia Tech defense that only allows 59 points a game. The Tar Heels must also play good defense in this game as Virginia Tech scores 78 points a game and has numerous weapons on the offensive end like Nickeil Alexander Walker, Kerry Blackshear, Justin Robinson, and Ahmed Hill who all above 12 points a game.

Players to Watch: 

For Virginia Tech Justin Robinson simply must step up, as against UVA the senior guard had nine points, two assists, and only shot 2-7 from the field. If the Hokies are gonna beat North Carolina he simply has to play better. Robinson averages 12 points, five assists, three rebounds, and one steal while shooting 44% from the field.

If North Carolina wants to win this game they simply must get more efficiency out of senior forward Luke Maye. Maye has averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists while shooting only 42% from the field and 47% from the three point line.

Score Prediction: 

With North Carolina’s streaky play and Virginia Tech’s struggle to win games on the road. It’s hard for me to pick this game but I think I will go with Virginia Tech. As I think Virginia Tech’s offensive weapons will step up and play very good against a weak North Carolina defense. Hokies: 82 Tar Heels: 77

Image via: Geoff Burke- USA Today Sports