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Live Coverage: Virginia, Virginia Tech face off in Smithfield Commonwealth Clash

Chris Graham

Commonwealth ClashVirginia (9-6, 3-2 ACC) hosts in-state rival Virginia Tech (8-6, 0-3) in a Smithfield Commonwealth Clash on Wednesday. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 9 p.m.

AFP editor Chris Graham provides live coverage with commentary and analysis.

Broadcast Information

  • The Virginia-Virginia Tech game will be televised on ESPN2 and streamed online at WatchESPN.com and ESPN App.
  • The game will also be broadcast on Virginia Sports Radio Network, VirginiaSports.com and Virginia Sports app.
  • Live statistics will be available on VirginiaSports.com and Virginia Sports app.

Virginia Notes

  • UVA is led by its returning backcourt of Kihei Clark (9.9 ppg & 4.1 apg) and Reece Beekman (7.3 ppg, 4.4 apg & 2.2 spg), and the additions of transfers Jayden Gardner (15 ppg & 7.5 rpg) and Armaan Franklin (12 ppg).
  • Clark has played 108 games at UVA and is averaging career-highs in field goal percentage (41.9%) and 3-point percentage (42.6%).
  • The Cavaliers added transfers Gardner (East Carolina) and Franklin (Indiana) to fill the void left by standouts Sam Hauser (16 ppg), Jay Huff (13 ppg) and Trey Murphy III (11.3 ppg).
  • Gardner averaged 18.5 points and 8.9 rebounds in 79 career games at East Carolina, while Franklin averaged 11.4 points and shot 42.5 percent from 3-point range in 2020-21.
  • Kadin Shedrick (6.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg & 2.8 bpg) and Francisco Caffaro (2.9 rpg) anchor the paint, while Kody Stattmann (39.1% 3FGs), Taine Murray (42.1% 3FGs), Igor Miliĉić Jr. (38.1% 3FGs) and Carson McCorkle (33.3% 3FGs) provide perimeter depth.

Virginia Tech Notes

  • Keve Aluma has reached double-figure scoring in nine straight games. He’s at least tied for leading scorer honors in six of the last seven games.
  • Aluma leads the ACC in scoring in conference-only games at 22.0 points per game.
  • Hunter Cattoor has scored double figures in six of the last eight games, including a career-high 21 points vs. St. Bonaventure on Dec. 17.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].