Syracuse @ Virginia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 31, 2017 ) Virginia Tech 56, Syracuse 68

Eighth-ranked Virginia Tech played three of its last four games away from home and, needless to say, is happy to return to Blacksburg. However, things do not get much easier for the Hokies, who host an improving Syracuse squad in Saturday's ACC clash.

During its recent four-game span, Virginia Tech survived at Georgia Tech 52-49 before losing on the road to Virginia and North Carolina. Only a home win over Wake Forest in the midst of that stretch kept the Hokies from bringing a three-game losing streak into their matchup with the Orange, who have won seven of their last eight contests - including a huge victory at Duke. Syracuse topped Miami 73-53 in its last outing and hopes to improve to 10-3 all-time against Virginia Tech. The Hokies give up 61.9 points per game - 11th-best in the nation - while the Orange aren't far behind at 62.8 (18th).

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT SYRACUSE (14-5, 5-1 ACC): The Orange knocked down 14 of their 30 3-point attempts in the win over Miami, including six by Elijah Hughes and three apiece by Buddy Boeheim and Frank Howard. "If the (opposing) team's going to play zone, you have to make some shots," coach Jim Boeheim told reporters. "It's as simple as that." Hughes is 12-for-23 from beyond the arc over his last three games, including an 80-footer at the halftime buzzer against Duke that helped fuel the Orange to the upset victory.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (15-3, 4-2): The Hokies' loss to Virginia came by 22 points and their setback against North Carolina was a 21-point defeat, although coach Buzz Williams was a bit more optimistic after the latest trouncing. "I think, collectively, we feel different tonight in the locker room than we did (after the Virginia loss)," he told reporters. "The scores are similar, but I think the energy and the effort and the fight tonight was different." Four Virginia Tech players combined for 75 of the team's 82 points against the Tar Heels, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker going 5-for-10 for 3-point range en route to 19 points and Ahmed Hill knocking down four 3-pointers as part of a 20-point performance.

TIP-INS

1. Syracuse G Tyus Battle, who is the team's leading scorer at 17.8 points, managed only 10 - his fewest since Dec. 4 - in the win over Miami.

2. Orange F Oshae Brissett (13.4 points) has shot 40 percent or worse in five straight games.

3. Hokies G Justin Robinson needs eight assists to set the school's all-time record.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 67, Syracuse 59