Virginia Tech @ NC State preview

Virginia Tech at NC State

Last Meeting ( Feb 7, 2018 ) NC State 75, Virginia Tech 85

No. 11 Virginia Tech could be without star guard Justin Robinson when it visits 22nd-ranked North Carolina State on Saturday for a key ACC matchup. The Wolfpack have won three straight home meetings with the Hokies.

Robinson is the reigning ACC Player of the Week but left Wednesday’s win at Miami with a left ankle injury, and his availability for Saturday is in doubt. With P.J. Horne also out indefinitely with an injury, the Hokies could have only seven scholarship players available - and one of them has seen only two minutes of action in ACC play. That gives the Wolfpack a prime opportunity to pick up a win over a ranked opponent that has evaded N.C. State thus far in conference action. The Wolfpack nearly upset No. 3 Virginia on Tuesday, falling 66-65 in overtime for their second loss in three games.

TV: Noon ET, ACC Network, Raycom Sports

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (17-3, 6-2 ACC): The Hokies have enough offensive weapons to pick up the scoring slack without Robinson (14.4 points, 5.5 assists), but they will miss the school’s all-time leader in assists if he’s unable to play. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17.9 points), Ahmed Hill (13.6) and Kerry Blackshear Jr. (12.7, 6.5 rebounds) will have to find ways to create scoring opportunities on their own. If Robinson can’t play, Ty Outlaw (8.2 points) is likely to pick up a few extra minutes, and he is a 49.5 percent 3-point shooter.

ABOUT N.C. STATE (16-5, 4-4): The Wolfpack like to put as many as four guards on the floor at a time and push the tempo. Swingman Torin Dorn (14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds) is the team’s top scorer and rebounder despite being just 6-6, while C.J. Bryce (12.2 points) and Markell Johnson (11.9) both shoot better than 43 percent from 3-point range. Devon Daniels (10.2 points) and Braxton Beverly (9.6) also contribute to a talented backcourt that can light up the scoreboard.

TIP-INS

1. The Hokies lead the ACC and rank third nationally in 3-point shooting at 42.6 percent and make 10.5 3-pointers per game.

2. Virginia Tech is 1-2 against ranked opponents this season.

3. N.C. State’s bench averages 32.7 points and has outscored opponents’ reserves by 322 through 21 games.

PREDICTION: N.C. State 75, Virginia Tech 73