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The Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2) open the ACC season on New Year’s Eve, hosting the No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers (11-1) at Cassell Coliseum. It’s a big game because it’s Virginia Tech vs. Virginia, but this year, both teams are good and have high expectations entering ACC play.
Unfortunately, both teams are dealing with key injuries ahead of the ACC opener. VT has been without senior forward Tobi Lawal since Nov. 26. Lawal has been dealing with a foot injury and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. He’s been out a little over four weeks, but has a chance to play in Wednesday’s ACC opener. The Hokies’ only two losses came without Lawal.
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The 6-foot-8 Lawal is averaging 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Freshman big man Antonio Dorn is also questionable for the UVa game. The 7-foot freshman from Germany is a key part of Virginia Tech’s rotation, along with fellow freshman Christian Gurdak. Dorn averages around four points and two rebounds per game. He is dealing with a back injury.
One player the Hokies will be without is sophomore guard Tyler Johnson. He is ruled out with a foot injury. The starting guard averages around 30 minutes, 10 points and five rebounds per game. Johnson is Tech’s glue guy, and arguably its best defender. His absence will be missed.
The Cavaliers are also dealing with injuries. Virginia will be without senior guard Jacari White. White, who averages 10.9 PPG, fractured his left wrist in the Dec. 20 win over Maryland.
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Virginia is in its first season with Ryan Odom as head coach. The Cavaliers look much different these days, averaging 87 points per game. Freshman forward Thijs De Ridder leads UVa in scoring, averaging just over 16 per game.
The Hoos and Hokies tip off at 2:00 p.m. ET.
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