Collegiate Times

With the ACC season in full swing and the NCAA Tournament selection committee looking for teams to compete in the Big Dance, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team (13-5, 3-1 ACC) will take a trip down to Coral Gables, Fla., to hit the Miami Hurricanes (14-4, 3-2) Sunday evening on the wave of one its program's best wins.

Tech greatly improved its resume with a seven-point victory over the top-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Wednesday.  

And while the Hokies are coming off of a four-game winning streak, the 'Canes have won seven of their last eight games -- not to mention the fact that they will have home court advantage at the BankUnited Center.

Though, the Hokies haven't always fared spectacularly on the road against tough opponents this season. Example: the 25-point blowout at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils on Jan. 4.

However, after beating the No.1 team in the country just days ago, people around the ACC are starting to realize that Tech is one of the league's hottest teams.

Last season the Hokies first faced Miami in the midst of a three-game losing streak, falling to the 'Canes by a 74-71 count at Cassell Coliseum on Feb. 9. Tech would find vengeance in the ACC tournament later on, however, pummeling Miami 63-49.  

Key players to look for on the Miami side this weekend include senior guards Jack McClinton and Lance Hurdle as well as junior forward Dwayne Collins.  

McClinton, who was selected as a preseason First Team All-ACC Selection, scored a season-high 28 points in the 'Canes most recent victory, a 75-69 decision over the in-state rival Florida State Seminoles.

In that same matchup, Hurdle contributed 16 points and Collins produced 10 points to go along with 11 boards, marking his third double-double of the season.

As witnessed against FSU, Miami's guards have great ability to score.  Luckily, one key advantage the Hokies possess over Miami is size.  Tech has four players seeing regular minutes who measure 6'8" or taller, while the Hurricanes' tallest player in the starting lineup is Dwayne Collins -- the only one on their roster who's listed at 6'8".

Tech needs to take advantage down low with post play from forward Cheik Diakite and Jeff Allen, among others, in order to stop the 'Canes on Sunday night.  

One thing to worry Tech head coach Seth Greenberg, however, is how the Seminoles handled their size advantage this past Wednesday.

Florida State's brawn and brute size down low could not make up for their lack of defensive pressure on the perimeter, leaving McClinton and Hurdle open for outside shots at will.

While the Hokies are poised to have big men to play down low and frustrate Miami's forwards, the orange and maroon also have a large selection of quality guards.  From senior A.D. Vassallo to sophomores Malcolm Delaney and Hank Thorns, Greenberg has plenty of ball handlers and outside shooters to compete with the 'Canes.

Miami head coach Frank Haith likes where his group is sitting at this point in the season considering the competition.

"I think we're in good shape," he said.  "We lost to an outstanding North Carolina team and a Clemson team that was ranked in the top 10 going into last week."  

Greenberg gave similar thoughts on competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference following Tech's Wake Forest triumph.

"Every single team in this league is a team that can play at the very highest level," Greenberg said. "It's brutal each and every night."