Collegiate Times

It?s highly unlikely that the Virginia Tech Men?s Basketball team will have to do much to get mentally charged for tonight?s game against visiting Clemson University.

With Allen Calloway, Shawn Harris and Bob Ritchie playing in front of their home crowd for one last time on senior night, emotions will be running high for everyone.

?(The seniors) know there?s closure, it?s your last time walking onto that court,? said Tech head coach Seth Greenberg. ?The realization of the next stage of your life is not far behind. It?s difficult because you see guys grow and mature ? You obviously always want senior night to be special.?

The Tigers (16-11, 5-9) come in to face a Hokie team coming off of a 72-61 win over Florida State on Saturday night. It goes without saying that Clemson will be looking to avenge a 75-74 overtime loss to Tech (14-13, 4-10) on Feb. 8 in South Carolina.

?If you look at the three games you know that?s the history of the games we?ve played,? said Greenberg of the match-up?s recent history in which the last three games have been decided by a total of five points. ?This is obviously a big game for them, they had that game under control but we found a way to claw and fight and scratch our way back into it. That?s kind of the makeup of our team this year. That?s what we?re going to have to do to have a chance to be successful. They?re a tough team with some confidence.?

The Hokies will once again rely on junior shooting guard Jamon Gordon who notched a commanding 21 points and 16 rebounds against the Tigers in the last meeting.

Gordon and Clemson freshman Raymond Sykes have somewhat of a history as both hail from Jacksonville, Fla. Sykes said the two never played together but he is looking forward to facing him on the court again.

Greenberg said Gordon is always looked to as an integral part of the Hokie attack, but he will be relying on a flawless team effort.

?Our margin of error is very small,? Greenberg said. ?We need everyone to play at a very high level all of the time.?

Also crucial for the Hokies will be slowing down Clemson?s inside anchor Akin Akingbala. The 6?9? senior went for 16 points and 13 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting last time out against Tech. As crucial as slowing down Akingbala is, Greenberg is placing a lot of emphasis on slowing down the Tiger backcourt.

?(Shawan) Robinson is a tough match-up and containing Vernon Hamilton is very important,? Greenberg said. ?Taking care of the ball and rebounding the ball will be very important for us.?

Hamilton is a native of Richmond and always loves the chance to play in his home state.

?I?m always looking forward to a game at home, whether it?s UVa or Virginia Tech,? Hamilton said. ?It definitely means a lot; in your home state you want to get that win.?

The game has heavy postseason implications for both teams, something Hamilton said he knows Tech has in the back of its mind.

?It?s also a big game for us; the only thing on our mind is postseason,? Hamilton said. ?Right now we have to take it one step at a time and right now Virginia Tech is that one step in front of us.?

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will not be televised. Senior ceremonies for Calloway, Harris and Ritchie are set to take place following the contest.