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Jan 10, 2026; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies ahead Tobi Lawal (1) dunks the ball throughout the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Necessary Credit score: Brian Bishop-Imagn Photographs Virginia Tech’s success has disappeared within the new yr. After capturing 4 additional time wins within the season’s first two months, the Hokies misplaced three of their final 4 video games by a complete of 5 factors.
Virginia Tech (13-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Convention) seeks a turnaround when it faces struggling Notre Dame (10-7, 1-3) on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hokies are recovering from a stunning 77-76 loss Wednesday at SMU. They surrendered a half-court shot on the buzzer to Boopie Miller.
“When he threw the ball up, you may’ve knocked me over with a feather,” Virginia Tech coach Mike Younger stated.
Making the loss much more tough to just accept for the Hokies was that over the ultimate seven seconds, they dedicated a turnover and twice missed the entrance finish of 1-and-1 free throws.
Per week earlier in opposition to Stanford, Virginia Tech collapsed after main by 12 factors with 2:18 left. Ebuka Okorie drained a stepback trey with three seconds to go to beat the Hokies 69-68.
The excellent news for Virginia Tech is that final yr’s prime scorer and rebounder, Tobi Lawal, has returned after lacking 9 video games with a foot harm.
Lawal provides firepower to a lineup that features Amani Hansberry (15.5 factors, 9.1 rebounds per sport) and Neoklis Avdalas (14.2 factors, 5.1 assists).
Ball-handling points plagued Notre Dame whereas dropping 4 of its final 5 video games.
The lack of prime scorer and flooring chief Markus Burton (18.5 factors per sport), who suffered an ankle harm in early December, has been powerful to beat.
Through the five-game spell, the Combating Irish dedicated greater than twice as many turnovers as their opponents (66-31) and gave up 74 factors off these errors.
For the season, Notre Dame is final within the ACC in turnover margin (minus-2.7 factors per sport) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.99 per sport).
“This group has to discover a method with out (Burton),” coach Micah Shrewsberry stated after Tuesday’s 81-69 loss at house to Miami, by which Notre Dame dedicated a season-high 18 turnovers.
With Burton out, Jalen Haralson (15.1 factors per sport) has taken on a bigger position within the backcourt, whereas Carson Towt (10.2 rebounds) paces the frontcourt.
–Area Stage Media
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