An old thorn in the Hokies’ side comes to the Cassell on Monday. The rhodey rams, who are 3-1 all time at the Cassell, including knocking VT out of the NIT Quarterfinals three years ago, head to Blacksburg. But this is a team that went 7-24 last season, including an 11-point loss at home to the Hokies.
While the Hokies rolled to an 18-point win in JJ’s debut vs etsu, the rams dropped their opener at home to norfolk state (the same spartans that beat #2 seed missouri in the NCAA Tournament so don’t read too much into that).
Tech will have to slow Nikola Malesevic, who exploded for 26 points against norfolk state and had 23 against the Hokies last year. Meanwhile, xavier munford was 3/19 from the field for the rams including 2/10 from behind the arc. VT should go ahead and let him shoot as much as he wants. rhodey shot just 28% for the game, but did snag 15 offensive rebounds so Tech will need to do a better job on the glass. The rams like to gamble on defense so the Hokies can have success pushing the ball and making the extra pass, or faking and either cutting or taking the ball yourself.
