Miami vs. Virginia Tech: Score, Highlights and Reaction from 2016 Regular Season

The unranked Virginia Tech Hokies pulled off an upset at home over the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes, 77-62, at Cassell Coliseum on Saturday.

ESPN College BBall made note of the victory on Twitter:

"

Virginia Tech pounds #7 Miami in regular-season finale.
MIA: 24-6, 13-5
VT: 18-13, 10-8 pic.twitter.com/4OBmiblkD0

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) March 5, 2016"

Justin Bibbs was the story of the night for the Hokies, scoring a team-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He connected on five of six shots from three-point range, while the Hurricanes hit only four from downtown as a team.

Four of Bibbs' treys came in the first half as Virginia Tech took a 32-21 lead into the locker room, per the Hokies' official Twitter account:

Bibbs' hot start helped the Hokies win a game that they controlled throughout. Miami's Davon Reed hit a three-pointer one minute into the game to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead, but it would be the only lead they held in the game. A Jalen Hudson dunk at the 16:52 mark of the first half gave Virginia Tech a 7-5 lead it would not relinquish, via ESPN College BBall:

"

Virginia Tech gets the pretty spinning assist as they look to spoil Miami's ACC Title hopes. https://t.co/Csu9jV3Y1C

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) March 5, 2016"

The closest the Hurricanes got in the second half was seven, when they trailed 42-35 after a Reed jumper at the 13:19 mark.

Seth Davis of CBS Sports didn't mince words regarding Miami's performance:

Three other Hokies reached double-figure points, including freshman Justin Robinson, who had 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Zach LeDay added 16 points, while Seth Allen had 14 off the bench.

Reed tied Bibbs for a game-high 19 points for Miami, while Sheldon McClellan chipped in with 17 points and three assists. Virginia Tech's bench outscored Miami's bench 21-10.

At 18-13 overall, Virginia Tech won't be dancing in the NCAA tournament this year, but it was a strong effort for a team that has made the tournament only once since 1996, especially from their head coach, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports:

Jerry Palm of CBS Sports thought the loss doomed the Hurricanes' chances of earning a top seed in the NCAA tournament:

Even so, it was a strong season for the 24-6 Hurricanes, who despite the loss are guaranteed a top-three seed in next week's ACC tournament. If the Duke Blue Devils beat the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday night, the Hurricanes would have a share of the regular-season conference title.

It was a tough loss for Miami, but it shouldn't be a deflating one. Conference tilts on the road are rarely guaranteed victories. While the margin may have been alarming, the good news is that Miami can put it in the rearview mirror and focus on the upcoming ACC tournament.

Look for the Hurricanes to come out strong and make a push for the ACC title. If they reach the title game next week, Saturday's loss will have meant nothing heading into the NCAA tournament.

Postgame Reaction

Senior Shane Henry was nearly at a loss for words following the big victory, per VT Men's Basketball:

While an at-large bid won’t be happening, the Hokies’ season is not over. If they can win the ACC Tournament they will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Despite the long odds LeDay, speaking in the locker room after the game, said that is the goal, per VT Men’s Basketball:

Miami head coach Jim Larranaga kept the game analysis short and sweet, per Kevaney Martin of Roanoke, Virginia’s WFXR FOX:

Hokies head coach Buzz Williams was more than happy for his team, per Martin.

"The spirt and love that they have for each other and how they play for each other…it’s been very fulfilling.”

While Miami still awaits its ACC Tournament seed, Virginia Tech is locked-in at No. 6, and could possibly see a rematch with the Hurricanes in the quarterfinals.