North Carolina A&T @ Virginia Tech preview
Cassell Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2015 ) No.Carolina A&T 60, Virginia Tech 90
With the start of the grueling ACC schedule looming, Virginia Tech closes its non-conference schedule Thursday as it hosts North Carolina A&T. The Hokies are 8-0 at home and have won those contests by an average of 30 points.
The Hokies have been one of the most prolific offensive teams in the nation thus far, leading the country in field-goal percentage (54.9) and ranking third in 3-point field-goal percentage (45.3) and fourth in scoring (92.6 points). They gave a lackluster effort at that end of the floor last time out, though, going just 3-for-14 from 3-point range in an unimpressive 63-55 win over Presbyterian. North Carolina A&T snapped a three-game skid with a 74-70 triumph over Lamar on Saturday to close out the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic. Virginia Tech is 30-0 all-time against current Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams, including a 5-0 record against the Aggies.
TV: Noon ET, ACC Network Extra
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA A&T (7-7): The Aggies have taken a big step forward after defeating only one NCAA Division I opponent last season. A big reason for that is the addition of 6-8 forward Femi Olujobi (21.9 points, nine rebounds), a transfer from Oakland who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Georgia Southern graduate transfer Devonte Boykins (10.1 points) is the only other player averaging double digits in points.
ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (10-2): The Hokies have topped 90 points seven times this season – their most since 1988-89. All five starters average double digits in points, with backcourt mates Ahmed Hill (16.5 points) and Justin Bibbs (15.6) leading the way. Kerry Blackshear Jr. (13.2 points, 6.9 rebounds), a 6-10 forward, has been the Hokies’ most effective post player while point guard Justin Robinson (10.8, 5.9 assists) runs the show.
TIP-INS
1. Virginia Tech is on pace to set school records for 3-pointers per game (9.7) and 3-point field-goal percentage (45.3).
2. Bibbs has made 16 consecutive free throws and is 18-for-19 from the foul line this season.
3. North Carolina A&T shoots just 29.2 percent from 3-point range and has hit better than 40 percent from beyond the arc in only one game this season.
PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 95, North Carolina A&T 71