It’s a big one for a pair of bubble boys in Blacksburg.
Louisville Cardinals (18-10, 8-7) At Virginia Tech Hokies (20-8, 9-6)
Game Time: 1:06 p.m.
Location: Cassell Coliseum: Blacksburg, Va.
Television: CBS
Announcers: Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Jim Spanarkel (analyst)
Officials: Tim Nestor, Brian O’Connell, Jerry Heater
About Virginia Tech:
Virginia Tech (20-8, 9-6 ACC), receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today polls, has won seven of its last nine games, including beating No. 10 North Carolina and handing ACC-leader Virginia its lone league loss of the season. The Hokies won 65-58 over Clemson in Blacksburg on Feb. 21 in their last outing as Justin Robinson and Kerry Blackshear, Jr. each scored 14 points to lead the way.
Virginia Tech leads the ACC and is eighth in the nation in field goal percentage (.505) and is 20th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.41). The Hokies are No. 32 in the Sagarin Ratings, No. 28 by Ken Pomeroy and No. 50 in the RPI.
Notable:
—Louisville has won 13 straight games against Virginia Tech, their second longest active winning streak over an opponent and their longest over a power conference foe. U of L has beaten Eastern Kentucky 14 straight times.
—Louisville is third in the nation in blocked shots (6.5 bpg) and ranks 18th in field goal percentage defense (.404) and 42nd in steals per game (7.6).
—Louisville has a 31-20 record in its conference road games over the last six years (.608). U of L is the fourth-most conference road wins in its four years in the ACC with 17.
—Louisville is 14-3 against Virginia Tech in games played in Blacksburg.
—Louisville is 6-2 all-time against Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams, including a 4-0 mark against Williams during his time with the Hokies.
—Louisville is one of just four schools which have won 20 or more games in each of the last 15 seasons (also Kansas, Duke and Gonzaga), needing two victories to extend that streak.
—Virginia Tech has won at least 20 games in each of the last three seasons.
—Louisville’s bench has contributed 30 or more points in seven games this season, including four of the last five (32.2 average bench points in last five games).
—Louisville has a 15-11 record all-time in games played on Feb. 24, winning the last three.
Ken Pomeroy Prediction: Virginia Tech 79, Louisville 75
