Tru Washington aiding Miami ahead of Virginia Tech tilt

Tru Washington is back, and that's great news for Miami.

Washington, who had missed three straight games due to personal reasons, could be key when Miami plays host to Virginia Tech in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Tuesday in Coral Gables, Fla.

The Hurricanes (20-5, 9-3 ACC), who have won three straight games, beat host North Carolina State 77-76 on Saturday. Washington supplied the final five points on a game-ending 8-0 run, including three free throws with 3.7 seconds left.

Jai Lucas, Miami's first-year head coach, said he has confidence in Washington.

"You bet on people's pedigree," Lucas said. "Tru has won two Mountain West Conference championships (at New Mexico in 2024 and 2025). He has been in big moments. He has that belief."

The Hurricanes are starting to believe, too, especially on the road, where they are 6-1. At home, Miami is 13-2, and the Hurricanes play to their identity, which is getting into the lane and converting at a high rate -- a league-leading 50.8 field-goal percentage.

Washington has come off the bench the past two games and averages 11.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Malik Reneau (20.1 ppg) is fourth in the ACC in scoring, and the starting lineup also features Tre Donaldson (third at 6.0 assists per game) and Ernest Udeh Jr. (second at 9.5 rebounds per game).

The Hokies (17-9, 6-7) arrive in Miami having lost four of their past six games, including a 92-69 defeat to visiting Florida State on Saturday. The Hokies actually led that game by three points at halftime.

"They outplayed us," Hokies coach Mike Young said. "They outcoached us, and that may be the understatement of the year. The only response is to bounce back on Tuesday and play better, and I know we will."

The Hokies have talent. Neoklis Avdalas, a 6-foot-9 freshman guard from Greece, is projected as a second-round NBA draft pick.

Avdalas averages 12.3 points and a team-high 4.6 assists. But he also leads the team in turnovers (2.4) and hasn't shot the ball well (38.6% overall, 29.6% on 3-pointers).

What makes Virginia Tech dangerous is its balance. Amani Hansberry leads the team in scoring (14.7) and offensive boards (3.1). Toibu Lawal is averaging 11.8 points and leads the team in rebounds (8.9) and blocks (1.4).

Ben Hammond, who averages 12.7 points, leads the team in 3-point shooting (42.5%) and made 4 of 4 from deep against Florida State.

--Field Level Media