Maryland-Eastern Shore @ Virginia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 28, 2018 ) Maryland - E. Shore 40, Virginia Tech 85

Virginia Tech's defense has resurfaced just in time for its final non-conference tuneup. The Hokies have held three straight opponents below 60 points and aim to extend that streak Sunday against visiting Maryland-Eastern Shore.

The Hokies went 0-3 during a tough stretch that featured games against Dayton, BYU and Duke, but the team has rebounded with three straight triumphs. Most recently, they limited VMI to 55 points in a nine-point victory in a game in which they committed only eight fouls, did not allow a free throw and forced 23 turnovers. Freshman guard Landers Nolley II, the leading scorer for Virginia Tech at 17.3 points, was held to a season-low four points on 1-of-11 shooting. He'll seek a sharper effort against a UMES team that only has one win, that coming against a Division III foe in Clarks Summit.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ACC Network

ABOUT MARYLAND-EASTERN SHORE (1-13): The Hawks do not have a player averaging even nine points per game, as Ty Gibson (8.2) and a pair of players averaging 7.1 points are the top scorers on a squad averaging just 53.9 points per contest. UMES' shooting percentages are dreadful across the board - 36.2 percent from the field, 26.7 percent from 3-point range and 59.9 percent from the foul line. Gibson has made a team-high 19 3-pointers and also leads the team with 2.2 assists per outing.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (9-3): The Hokies' reserves scored 34 points against Gardner-Webb and then got lifts against VMI from Isaiah Wilkins (13 points) and Hunter Cattoor (career-high 14 points). "Isaiah Wilkins was terrific," coach Mike Young said. "Hunter Cattoor had his best game. Both of those kids have played well for us. Good teams have other people help them win. Certainly we saw that tonight." Nahiem Alleyne (10.6) points joins Nolley in double figures while P.J. Horne averages 8.8 points but has totaled 11 points on 5-of-18 shooting over the last three games.

TIP-INS

1. Since recording three steals in an upset of Michigan State, Nolley has a total of three steals in the last six outings.

2. Alleyne is 2-of-11 from the floor for a total of five points in the last two games.

3. Virginia Tech has allowed 66 points or fewer in all nine of its victories.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 83, Maryland-Eastern Shore 49