For years the Virginia Tech Hokies have been one of those bubble teams who never gets picked. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Virginia Tech Hokies (16-16) vs #6 Duke Blue Devils (26-5) Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Virginia Tech<\/strong><\/p>\n This year that will not be the case but maybe, just maybe, they can muster enough magic to score the automatic bid.<\/p>\n Their pursuit of that started yesterday with an upset victory over Clemson, a team they split with during the regular season. \u00a0The same can not be said of Duke, who beat the Hokies twice by an average of 10 points.<\/p>\n In beating the Tigers leading scorer and point guard Erick Green had 24 points while dishing out 4 assists. \u00a0Most importantly he turned it over just once. \u00a0If he can pace one of the Duke guards in scoring it might give Virginia Tech a chance of stealing the game, especially with Duke forward Ryan Kelly out with injuries.<\/p>\n It is still going to be tough for the Hokies to match up with the wall of Plumlees up front as they don\u2019t give any serious minutes to any players over 6\u20198\u201d<\/p>\n Duke<\/strong><\/p>\n Payback is a bitch for the Blue Devils as they lost mightily to the visiting Tar Heels to close the season. \u00a0Whatever happened to Cameron Indoor being an advantage – all three of their league losses were surprisingly on their own homecourt. \u00a0 [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Their place in the Big Dance is definitely secure but how they do this weekend will determine their seeding.<\/p>\n Win it all this weekend and they are likely looking at a #1 seed line…and they want it. \u00a0Coach K plays to win this time of year too.<\/p>\n Duke lost to UNC despite turning over the ball just 6 times.<\/p>\n They didn\u2019t shoot it great but the area that really stood out was how they were absolutely owned on the glass – out-rebounded 42 to 22. \u00a0The Tar Heels have the kind of size to do that to a big Duke frontline but not many other teams do.<\/p>\n Miles Plumlee\u2019s 11 boards were the same as the rest of the team collected combined. \u00a0That won\u2019t do for success against good teams, this weekend or next.<\/p>\n
\nFriday March 9
\nPhilips Arena – Atlanta, GA
\n7:00PM
\nMoneyline: \u00a0\u00a0No line currently posted
\nSpread: \u00a0No line currently posted
\nO\/U: \u00a0No line currently posted<\/strong><\/p>\n