Virginia Tech Looks for Crucial ACC Win Against Boston College

Who:  Virginia Tech Hokies (14-3, 1-2 ACC) vs Boston College Eagles (11-8, 2-3 ACC)

When:  Saturday, Jan. 23 1:30 PM

TV:  Raycom Sports (TV Listings )

Where:  Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.

The Opponent:  Boston College is coming off a stunning 17-point comeback against Miami Tuesday night. The 79-75 win was the first in the last four games for the Eagles, who had lost three straight to Duke, Clemson, and Maryland. BC has good wins on the season over South Carolina and Michigan, but they also have questionable losses to Maine and Harvard. Statistically, the Eagles have the worst overall record in the ACC at 11-8, and both of their ACC wins have come against Miami by a combined total of five points.

That being said, the Eagles still have some weapons on offense. The leading scorer for Boston College is junior Joe Trapani (6'8", 228 lbs.). The forward averages 15.8 points per game to go along with 6.8 rebounds per game. Despite his size, Trapani isn't afraid to shoot it from the outside either. Last time out against Miami, he shot 10 three-pointers, making five of them.

On the season, Trapani is a 35.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc. Joining Trapani on the inside is junior Corey Raji (6'6", 218 lbs.). Raji was on fire to start the season, but has cooled off as of late, scoring in double-digits in only one of his last seven games. Raji still averages close to 12 points and seven rebounds per game.

Sophomore point guard Reggie Jackson (6'3", 200 lbs.) leads the Eagles' flex offense, while averaging a team-high 32 minutes per game. Jackson is the second leading scorer for BC, with 13.6 points per games. Junior Biko Paris (6'1", 200 lbs.) teams with Jackson in the backcourt for Boston College. Paris only averages 6.2 points per game, but he leads the team with five assists per game.

The biggest reason for BC's inconsistency this year has been the injury to guard/forward Rakim Sanders (6'5", 230 lbs.). Sanders missed eight of the Eagles' first nine games and only played four minutes in the one game he did play in. Sanders averaged close to 13 points per game last year, but his production has dropped to only 10 points per game this year. After not playing in the Eagles' first ACC game, Sanders has only averaged seven points per game in his last four ACC games. BC has gone 1-3 in those games, and it could be 1-4 if Sanders continues to struggle.

My Thoughts:  I don't like to say that a game in late January is a must-win, but this is pretty close for the Hokies. With an upcoming road trip to UVA and Miami next week, the Hokies can't afford a 1-3 start in league play with two road games looming. In addition, winning at home is huge in the ACC, and the Hokies can't afford to lose this one in Cassell with UNC and Clemson coming to town in a couple weeks.

The Hokies are tied with Florida State for the best defensive team statistically in the ACC, allowing only 59.8 points per game. Boston College has only crossed the 60-point plateau twice in league play, both times against Miami. Meanwhile, the Eagles are giving up 72 points per game in the ACC, which plays into the hands of the Hokies somewhat up-tempo style.

Boston College runs a unique flex-style offense, one in which the Hokies will have to be strong against multiple screens run by the Eagles in a single possession. Terrell Bell will have to play a huge part in this game by guarding Trapani on both the post and perimeter. Bell has shown improvement on the defensive end recently, and his strong play will need to continue. In addition, Tech must challenge Trapani throughout the game, and they can't allow Rakim Sanders to get it going. If Sanders gets it going, the Hokies could be in trouble.

On offense, the Hokies will have the opportunity to run against the Eagles, who are not the greatest transition team. Jeff Allen will need to stay out of foul trouble against a physical Eagle interior and get some points off the offensive glass. As long as Allen performs like he's supposed to and Malcolm Delaney and Dorenzo Hudson continue their production, the Hokies should win this game.

I expect a rested and resilient Hokie squad to come out Saturday with a chip on their shoulder. Tech needs to make a statement that they are contenders in the wacky ACC race.