Following a victory over Western Carolina earlier this week, Virginia Tech returns to its home court to take on Maryland Eastern Shore. The Hokies improved their record to 9-2 with this recent win and now look to secure their 10th win of the season. Virginia Tech holds a perfect 10-0 record against UMES, a matchup that has been ongoing since 1982. All previous games have taken place at Cassell Coliseum, with the last encounter in 2019 resulting in a commanding 92-37 win for the Hokies.
In that last meeting, Landers Nolley II showcased his skills, achieving a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. A victory today would mark Virginia Tech”s fourth straight win and extend their streak to seven consecutive victories at home on Carilion Clinic Court. This recent trend follows a substantial 96-74 victory over Western Carolina, where the Hokies scored 53 points in the first half, their highest total for any half this season. Notably, they restricted their opponents to zero fast break points, a feat accomplished only twice this season.
In the recent game against Western Carolina, freshman guard Neo Avdalas emerged as a standout player, topping the score chart with 30 points. This marked his second game of the season with at least 30 points, having previously scored 33 against Providence in the season”s second game. Avdalas now accounts for two of the eight 30-point games recorded by an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) athlete this season, joining Duke”s Cameron Boozer as the only other player with two such performances. With these achievements, Avdalas has become the first Hokie since Sean Pedulla in the 2023-24 season to record multiple 30-point games.
Junior forward Amani Hansberry has also been a key contributor for Virginia Tech, leading the team with an average of 16.3 points per game. His impact is felt in various aspects of the game, as demonstrated by his six assists and a career-high four steals against Western Carolina this week. As the Hokies entered the 2025-26 season with one of the youngest rosters in the ACC, they welcomed seven true freshmen, with only Georgia Tech bringing in as many first-year players. Overall, the Hokies have added ten newcomers to their roster, including Hansberry from West Virginia, Jailen Bedford from UNLV, and Izaiah Pasha from Delaware.
As the Hokies prepare for today”s matchup, they bring superior talent to the court. With the start of conference play approaching, fans are eager to see if Virginia Tech can continue its winning ways with another strong performance.
