Virginia Tech will be aiming to snap a five-game losing streak when it travels to No. 10 Virginia for a rivalry matchup on Wednesday night. The Hokies have lost five straight games, with the latest setback coming against Syracuse last Wednesday. Virginia has won five of its last six games, including a 67-58 win at Florida State on Saturday.
Virginia Tech got off to a fantastic start this season, winning 11 of its first 12 games. The Hokies took down then-No. 18 North Carolina, Dayton and Oklahoma State during that stretch. They have lost five straight games since then, which started with an overtime loss to Boston College four days before Christmas. Virginia Tech has added losses against Wake Forest, Clemson, NC State and Syracuse, falling to the Orange by 10 points last Wednesday. The Hokies are amid a three-game road trip that concludes with a rematch against Clemson on Saturday. They have been without Hunter Cattoor since he suffered an elbow injury in the loss to Boston College that kickstarted the skid.
“We've got to play more sound on both ends of the floor. Are we capable? Absolutely, we're capable. We did it through our first 12 games. Time to play better basketball and get bac k on the right track.”
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— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 17, 2023
Cattoor, who averages 9.6 points per game and is the second-best 3-point shooter on the roster (40.3%), is probably Virginia Tech’s best defensive player. He was missed badly in the loss to Syracuse, as the Hokies gave up their highest point total of the season and allowed the Orange to shoot 50.8% from the floor. Virginia Tech’s leading scorer, Sean Pedulla (16.8), has shot just 29.7% from the field with Cattoor sidelined. Fortunately for Virginia Tech, Cattoor is expected to return on Wednesday. The Hokies have relied on their offense to win games, as they are No. 43 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings. They have the tenth-lowest turnover rate in college basketball and are shooting 54.0% from 2-point range. Virginia will be a tough test, as the Cavaliers are No. 16 in adjusted defensive efficiency.