2014 College Basketball: UVA vs VT Game Thread, Preview, Score

What: Virginia Cavaliers (13-5, 4-1 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (8-10, 1-5 ACC)

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Place: John Paul Jones Arena
TV: ACC Network / ESPN3.com
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network

Last Meeting: UVA 73-55 (Feb 12, 2013)

Odds: Vegas: Virginia -17.5; KenPom UVA 69, VT 53 (96%)

I feel like I start off every week's game thread with the same statement: I'm worried.

I shouldn't be though. Virginia Tech is a bad team. There, I said it.

But...that didn't really allay anyone's concerns, now did it? I'm really interested to see how this one goes. Post-Tennessee Virginia has played just about exactly as we all were expecting from preseason Virginia. Except that the Hoos haven't played a truly weak team as of yet, and any long (or short) term fan of Virginia has witnessed the school's ability to play down to the level of their opponents.

Virginia Tech is playing today's game with injuries -- sophomore guard Adam Smith is out with a left calf strain for the next two weeks, and freshman Ben Emelogu is questionable today with a right ankle sprain. Smith averages 25.8 minutes and 11.0 points per game. He had also missed the game against Wake Forest earlier this week, in which the Hokies lost 83-77 at home. Emelogu averages 26.2 minutes and 11.2 points per game, and has missed the last two games (vs. Wake and a 70-63 loss at Notre Dame). Both are deemed significant contributors.

Tech doesn't have too much size inside, but 6'10" Joey van Zegeren makes his presence known, and is 21st in the country in block percentage, at 11.3%. He racks up 4.8 rebounds per game, which includes a 13.6% offensive rebounding percentage, good for 57th in the country. (Virginia's Mike Tobey is ranked 13th in the country in this category at 16.7%.)

Today is the Coaches vs. Cancer sneakers event, so keep an eye out on Tony's kicks today.

Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts here and as always, Go HOOS!