Staff Writer
After a tough loss at home, the Virginia Tech men?s basketball team resumes their Big East schedule, hosting Boston College tonight.
Tech (8-9 overall, 1-3 Big East) looks forward to getting back at the .500 mark. Each game in their conference is equally important as the Hokies hope to make it into the Big East Championship tournament.
?Every Big East game is important for our goal to reach the Big East tournament,? said Tech head coach Ricky Stokes. ?Each game will be a battle.?
The Hokies have been playing well of late, going 2-1 in their last three games.
Bryant Matthews has been very consistent in his play, averaging 25 points and eight rebounds in the three-game home stand. Terry Taylor and Carlos Dixon have complemented Matthews, both averaging nearly 15 points a contest.
Dixon was the player who swished a game-winning three pointer at the final buzzer for a thrilling victory the last time the Golden Eagles visited Cassell Coliseum.
Tech will need to rely on a quick start and strong defense in order to beat Boston College and get back in the win column.
?This game is very important to us, especially at home,? Dixon said after Saturday?s loss to St. John?s. ?We need to go out and defend our home court. We also need to hit our open shots inside and outside in the first 10 minutes of the game.?
Dixon?s physical size clearly seems to bother smaller shooting guards. He played strong defensive against the sharp shooter Todd Billet (averaging 14 points and 2.5 assists) of University of Virginia, who was held to only six points in their loss to the Hokies.
In addition, Dixon held first team All-Big East player Marcus Hatten of the Red Storm (averaging 27.9 points a contest in Big East play) to only nine points in their game Saturday.
Boston College features two highly publicized guards, Troy Bell and Ryan Sidney. Bell is coming off a 31-point performance in their overtime loss to Notre Dame.
Dixon will need to keep up his previously successful tactics to contain a shorter guard like Bell in order for a solid win.
While their confidence remains high after their win over the Cavaliers and close game against the Red Storm, many players realize one of the key factors in the teams resurgence may be an outside influence.
?I also hope for another large (fan) turnout,? Dixon said.
After their match-up with the Golden Eagles, the Hokies will continue their conference play on the road against Providence on Feb. 1. They return home against No. 12 Connecticut on Feb. 5.
?I think we have a good shot against (Connecticut),? said forward/center Dimari Thompkins. ?We had the lead at halftime (in the last game against the Huskies), but didn?t pull it out.?
Tip-off against Boston College is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. tonight at Cassell Coliseum.