ACC Daily Digest, Feb. 18: Big Monday Preview: Virginia-Virginia Tech

If you’re currently celebrating a three-day weekend, enjoy it, folks. Just make sure to be in front of your screens at 7 p.m. for Virginia at Virginia Tech.

 

Big Monday: I-81 Rivals

Monday night brings up another massive, top-25 matchup in the ACC: No. 4 Virginia at No. 22 Virginia Tech (7 p.m., ESPN).

Virginia bounced back from the Duke loss with two bigs, including a road victory over North Carolina; however, the Cavs looked pedestrian on offense against Notre Dame on Saturday (0.98 points per possession). While the team slumped, De’Andre Hunter was brilliant: 20 points (11 FGA), 10 rebounds, two assists and three stocks (one blocks, two steals). Kyle Guy hit four 3-pointers, too.

On the other side, Virginia Tech picked up its second straight win on Saturday — 70-64 at Pittsburgh. The Hokies (1.11 points per possession) hit 10 3-pointers, which is great; however, this was another below-average game for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Without Justin Robinson, Tech’s offense has slumped, and NAW has been more up-and-down: nine points (5 FGA) and three turnovers. As a team, Virginia Tech posted a turnover rate of 22.2 percent.

These two team met earlier this year with UVA winning big at home, 81-59. Virginia is 3-2 vs. Tech going back to the 2016-17 season.

 

Lykes, Bowman struggle as Boston College upends Miami

Two of the ACC’s top scoring guards — Chris Lykes and Ky Bowman — met on Sunday, but neither could find the range in Boston College’s 64-57 home win. Bowman scored a season-low six points on 11 field goal attempts (plus four turnovers, while Lykes went for 10 points on 15 field goal attempts. When Lykes struggles like that, it becomes incredibly tough for Miami to win a game.

For the Eagles, Jordan Chatman and Nik Popovic combined for 32 points. BC has now won two straight games heading into Wednesday’s matchup at NC State.