Hokie Hoops Central: Virginia Tech (5-7) at #4 Duke (10-2) 430pm ACCN

NYE clash in Cameron🆚 No. 4 Duke🕟 4:30PM ET📺 ACCN🔗 https://t.co/Ypqs6c7UWE pic.twitter.com/cM7WcRoXcf— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 31, 2024

Virginia Tech (5-7)
at
#4 Duke (10-2)
Cameron Indoor Arena
430pm ACCN

TV | ACCN
Wes Durham, PxP
Dan Bonner, Analyst

RADIO | VT Sports Network
Zach Mackey, PxP
Mike Burnop, Analyst

VIDEO STREAM
@HokiesMBB ESPN.com and ESPN app

LIVE STATS
stats.hokiesports.com

1.8% Chance
The Hokies pick back up ACC play and will be facing the top team right off the bat. There is no sugar coating this one. It's more likely to be a blowout than a semblance of competition.

Duke comes in 10-2 and Jon Scheyer in just his third season already has two-thirds Mike Young's win totals in six seasons. None of that is really surprising.
Their only losses so far are to Kentucky and Kansas. They have three ranked wins this season already.

Cooper Flagg, the #1 recruit started slow but is now leading Duke in scoring and rebounding. He is joined by fellow freshman Kon Kneuppel in scoring. The other double-digit scorer is Tyrese Proctor.

Duke plays a smothering man-to-man defense. That's a cliche with most teams but for the Blue Devils it's a true description. They are forcing 14 turnovers a game and holding opponents to the 7th fewest points in the NCAA. They have held opponents under 65 points in nine games. Duke is averaging 20 points more per game than opponents.

As for offense, expect to see them go to the paint more than any other game the Hokies have played so far. That said, they are making over 10 three pointers per game as well. They have very few flaws on offense and are averaging 16 points a game in transition.

The only real hope here is Duke forgets to get out of bed. The Hokies might need to shoot 70% or better otherwise.

Ben Hammond will get to face off against two of his Paul VI teammates. Darren Harris and Paul Ngongba will both come off the bench for the Blue Devils as freshmen.

Hokies Starting Five
Toibu Lawal
1 JR F 6-8 200
10.7 Pts, 5.8 Reb, 0.4 Ast

Mylyjael Poteat
34 SR F 6-9 260
10.1 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 1.3 Ast

Jaden Schutt
2 SO G 6-5 185
9.3 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 2.0 Ast

Tyler Johnson
10 FR G 6-5 215
5.9 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 1.0 Ast

Ben Hammond
11 FR G 5-11 170
5.3 Pts, 1.1 Reb, 1.7 Ast

Key Bench Players
Jaydon Young
3 SO G 6-4 205
7.1 Pts, 1.8 Reb, 1.5 Ast

Ben Burnham
13 SR F 6-7 200
6.9 Pts, 3.9 Reb, 1.1 Ast

Brandon Rechsteiner
7 SO G 6-1 185
7.8 Pts, 1.3 Reb, 3.7 Ast

Patrick Wessler
5 SO C 7-0 245
4.5 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 0.2 Ast

Rodney Brown
4 SO G 6-6 180
4.1 Pts, 2.0 Reb, 1.4 Ast

Duke Starting Five
Cooper Flagg
2 FR F 6-9 205
16.3 Pts, 8.6 Reb, 3.5 Ast

Kon Knueppel
7 FR G 6-7 217
12.2 Pts, 3.6 Reb, 3.1 Ast

Tyrese Proctor
5 JR G 6-5 175
11.3 Pts, 3.6 Reb, 1.8 Ast

Khaman Maluach
9 FR C 7-2 250
8.4 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 0.3 Ast

Either/Or

Sion James
14 JR G 6-5 185
7.8 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 2.3 Ast

Caleb Foster
1 SO G 6-5 197
7.4 Pts, 2.1 Reb, 1.8 Ast

Key Bench Players
Isaiah Evans
3 FR G 6-6 175
8.7 Pts, 0.7 Reb, 0.4 Ast