Home Virginia Tech hoops game with N.C. State off this weekend: Is this it for 2021?
Basketball

Virginia Tech hoops game with N.C. State off this weekend: Is this it for 2021?

Chris Graham
keve aluma virginia tech
Keve Aluma had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Virginia Tech in the Hokies’ 62-51 win at Notre Dame. Photo courtesy Atlantic Coast Conference.

Virginia Tech is done with its regular season, and now you have to start to wonder if the Hokies might be done for good in 2021.

The ACC announced today that Tech’s game at N.C. State scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to quarantining and contact tracing within the Hokies program.

This after the game with Louisville that had been set for tonight was canceled earlier in the week.

Assuming the program is able to compete in the ACC Tournament next week, Tech would be locked in as a top four seed, meaning it wouldn’t have to play until Thursday.

And there is speculation heating up that the program might have to opt out of the trip to Greensboro to focus on being able to participate in the NCAA Tournament, but not so fast.

The two national polls have them in the Top 25, but Tech is 34th in the ESPN Basketball Power Index, 44th in Sagarin, 45th in the NET and KPI, 51st in the RPI.

That’s … good … in terms of resume.

Good, not great.

And then you’d have to factor in, this would be a team that would have played two games since Feb. 6, and if it skips the ACC Tournament, Tech would have been idle for more than three weeks heading into a potential first-round game on March 18.

The tournament selection committee likes to say that it awards bids to teams that it thinks are in a position to be able to compete for and win the NCAA championship.

Two games in six weeks, nothing for three weeks, still able to win six in a row?

I’m rooting for the program to get through this stretch and at least get a game in Greensboro next week.

Considering how close we are to the end of the pandemic, it would be just bad damn luck to fall casualty after the run that this team has had in Year 2 for Mike Young.

Story by Chris Graham

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].

Latest News

Sports Betting

How To Bet Usyk vs. Dubois In California

Sports Betting

How To Bet On Usyk vs. Dubois In Texas

Usyk vs Dubois II takes place Saturday, July 19, 2025, and boxing fans in Texas are searching for the best ways to bet on the heavyweight title fight. With all four major belts on the line, the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois is one of the biggest fights of the year. While Texas...

malcolm brogdon
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

Rumor mill: LA Clippers showing interest in UVA Basketball alum Malcom Brogdon

UVA Basketball alum Malcolm Brogdon, late of the Washington Wizards, is still a free agent, but there’s smoke about the Los Angeles Clippers having major interest.

wboro glow up tmobile solar
Arts, Local

Waynesboro light show aims to draw residents downtown for dining, shopping

Local, Politics

Shenandoah LGBTQ Center celebrates seven years serving as a safe space in Staunton

Sports Betting

How To Bet On Usyk vs. Dubois In Florida

henry godbout uva baseball
Baseball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Baseball: What if we get the good Harrison Didawick from 2024 back next season?