How Virginia Tech Can Better Defend No. 6 UVa In Meeting No. 2

Virginia Tech and Hunter Cattoor have a big opportunity on their hands on Saturday with Reece Beekman and Virginia. (Jon Fleming)

In the first battle back on Jan. 18, Virginia bested Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, 78-68. On Saturday, the Hokies have a good opportunity to get even with the No. 6 Cavaliers. Dave O’Brien, Cory Alexander and Angel Gray have the call at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Tech, playing with Hunter Cattoor for the first time since he fractured his elbow four weeks prior, was good offensively in the previous meeting. The squad was 52% from the floor in the first half, 49% for the game, and had 19 assists to eight turnovers. But UVa was better: 51% for the game with 19 assists to five miscues.

In part two of the Commonwealth Clash on Saturday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum, how can the Hokies better defend UVa?

First, let’s take a look at the team’s offensive numbers. In the five games since Cattoor returned, the team has shot above 49% four times. In the last three games, its marks were 57%, 53% and 57%. The 3-pointers found the bottom of the net, too – Tech averaged 10 made treys over the last three outings and was 30-of-68 (44.1%).

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