Just this past Friday, the Hokies beat Charleston Southern 69-64 at home in front of a sold out crowd, marking the 19th sellout of Young’s career in Blacksburg.
Don’t miss out on the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge, presented by Continental Tire, on Monday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. ET versus Minnesota at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum. Tickets to this highly-anticipated contest are still available and fans can purchase the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Bundle, a deal that encompasses two games for the price of one, including the Tech women’s basketball team’s game against Nebraska on Thursday, Dec. 1. Secure your seats for these must-see match-ups.
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Best Foe Yet
The Hokies (6-1) have held four games at Cassell Coliseum this season, with all of those coming against mid-major opponents. Monday against the Golden Gophers (4-2) will mark the first high-major team to come to Blacksburg this year. Minnesota is led by forward Dawson Garcia, who is averaging a team-high 15.8 points per game and team-best 6.7 rebounds per game. The Golden Gophers have excelled at two things early on this season, and that’s free throw attempts per game (21.8) and field-goal percentage defense (37.6%), ranking high nationally in those categories. Monday will mark just the second time the two schools have met in the Challenge (2011).
The Atmosphere
As alluded to earlier, it was bumping in Tech’s home arena Friday and the same type of atmosphere is expected Monday. ‘The Cassell’ has a reputation that few teams have in Division I, with it feeling like the crowd is on top of the opponent. From Cassell Guard singing Enter Sandman at the top of its lungs to begin the game to the roar of the crowd after a big play, fans will feel as one when they come together in the special building that brings the best out of the Hokies.
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โ Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 26, 2022
Star Power
It’s been interesting to see which players were going to step up and contribute in a big way this season, following the departure of three starters from a year ago (Nahiem Alleyne, Keve Aluma, Storm Murphy). Obviously, forward Justyn Mutts comes to mind, with him being selected to the preseason All-ACC team and already having three double-doubles. But point guard Sean Pedulla, who only averaged 13 minutes a game last season, has really come into his own and is leading the team in points per game (17.1) and minutes played per game (34.4). The 6-foot-1 guard from Oklahoma can shoot the lights out (14 3-pointers) and is the best distributor, owning a team-high 4.3 assists per game.
Dunk City
One of the most thrilling plays in all of basketball is a one- or two-handed slam, and the Hokies sure have had their fair share this year. Through seven games, Tech has racked up 13 total dunks, with center Lynn Kidd having about half of those (team-high 6). Kidd is coming off a career high of 11 points against Charleston Southern Friday, with six of those points coming via his three dunks โ the most in a game this season by a Hokie. Forward Mylyjael Poteat has the second most on the team (3), while both MJ Collins and Grant Basile each have two.
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โ Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 26, 2022
More Than a Game
Outside of the entertainment from the Hokies playing basketball, fans are encouraged to make a difference off the court by bringing gently-used toys to be used as a donation. Partnering with the Montgomery County Christmas Store, Tech athletics will offer the toys to the store for young ones this holiday season. Then don’t miss your donation on display during the donation parade at halftime.
