Virginia Tech, Syracuse prepare for pivotal stretch in ACC play

With the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament less than two months away, Virginia Tech and Syracuse are both hoping to build momentum while making a move in the league standings.

Both teams are expecting another tough battle Wednesday when the Hokies visit the Orange.

Virginia Tech (14-5, 3-3 ACC) played six straight games that were either decided by three points or fewer or went to overtime before finally getting some breathing room in an 89-76 home win against Notre Dame on Saturday. Tobi Lawal posted a season-high 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Hokies, while Amani Hansberry pitched in with 21 points.

"We've got 12 (games) left -- 12 left in the regular season. And we're going to have a bunch of knockdown drag-outs," Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said. "So, you're either built for it, or go do something else. I'm really looking forward to it."

Syracuse (12-6, 3-2) is coming off a tight game of its own -- an 81-73 overtime loss at Boston College. The Orange had won six of their previous seven before falling to the Eagles, who entered the game winless in ACC play.

"Our attention to detail was not there," Orange coach Adrian Autry said. "There's going to be close games like this all year, and we have to be able to come through and get those (wins) done, but we didn't come through (Saturday)."

Nate Kingz scored 27 points to pace Syracuse, while Donnie Freeman contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds. However, Freeman and Naithan George each had seven of their team's 18 turnovers.

Virginia Tech hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2022, while Syracuse's last appearance came in 2021.

"There's a lot of season left, and we have a lot of great opportunities ahead of us," Autry said. "At the end of the season, the only way you can try and do what you want to do (reaching the NCAA Tournament) is win games. This year we're fortunate our conference is strong, so we have a chance to go out and win (quality) games."

Virginia Tech won last season's meeting, 101-95 in overtime, on March 1 in Blacksburg, Va.

--Field Level Media