Jarell Eddie (31) protects the ball fom Luke Loucks (3) early in the first half.
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The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team will look to reverse course tonight as they face the No. 8-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in Cassell Coliseum.
The Hokies (11-6, 0-3 ACC) are returning home after a tough 61-59 loss at Boston College, in which they played without the services of leading scorer and point guard Erick Green, who was out with a sprained knee. Green is expected to return against UNC, as he will try to lead Tech to victory and provide the spark they need to fire up their season.
It might seem like things can only get worse from here on out as one looks at the impending schedule, but the Hokies don’t see it that way.
“We’ve got a tremendous opportunity and a tremendous challenge all in the same,” said Seth Greenberg, head coach. “We’ve got a home game against an elite team, and if memory serves me correctly, we’ve been in this situation before, and we’ve figured out a way.”
Coach Greenberg’s Hokies have indeed figured out a way against elite opponents, as they have toppled three No. 1-ranked teams, including last year’s home win over Duke on Feb. 26.
In last season’s match up against the Tar Heels (15-3, 2-1 ACC) on Jan. 13, the Hokies almost stole the show at Chapel Hill on the hot hands of Malcolm Delaney, as he sank seven of 12 from beyond the three-point arc. Unfortunately, he was slightly off on his last attempt with seven seconds remaining, leaving Carolina to escape with a 64-61 victory.
However, one need not look far to find the last time Tech upended UNC, as it was their last visit to Cassell that sent them away with a 74-70 loss.
The Hokies know that bouncing back against UNC after their 0-3 start in ACC play is no small charge.
“It’s easier said than done,” said sophomore Jarrell Eddie. “We are going to have to play harder. We know North Carolina is a very good team, and we are just going to have to compete with them. We’ve been competitive with all the teams we’ve played with so far, and this game is no different.”
A version of this article appeared in the Jan 19 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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