Virginia Tech, Wake Forest clash in ACC tournament

Seasons are on the line Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C., when 12-seed Virginia Tech faces 13th-seeded Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament.

In the latest bracketology projections from ESPN, Virginia Tech (19-12) is among the first four teams cut from the NCAA Tournament. In his projections, Patrick Stevens -- formerly of the Washington Post -- has Virginia Tech as the last team in the tournament field. Much is at stake for the Hokies against the Demon Deacons (16-15).

Now in his seventh season leading the Hokies, coach Mike Young believes his team belongs in March Madness. He's won the ACC Tournament once before, taking the title in 2022.

"I've got an NCAA Tournament team, fellas," he told a group of reporters Monday in Charlotte. "I haven't been on that soapbox, but I am now."

The Hokies own two wins this season over AP Top 25-ranked opponents, beating rival Virginia in triple overtime on New Year's Eve and defeating then-ranked No. 20 Clemson on the road last month. Virginia Tech ranks 56th in KenPom and 50th on Bart Torvik.

"This team has done some really cool things, and I'm proud of them," Young said.

The Hokies finished the regular season with a four-point road loss to Virginia despite Ben Hammond scoring 21 points and dishing out five assists. Amani Hansberry -- who is day-to-day with a leg injury -- has been Virginia Tech's top scorer this season, averaging 14.3 points per game.

Barring a trip to the NIT, Wake Forest's season will likely end in the ACC Tournament, unless the Demon Deacons go on a miraculous run like rival North Carolina State did in 2024. Wake isn't mentioned in any bracketology after finishing 7-11 in ACC play.

The Deacs are armed with guard Juke Harris, who is third in the ACC in scoring this season with 21.7 points per game.

Wake coach Steve Forbes expects both teams to play with urgency.

"When you're in that mode, you have an air of desperation," Forbes said about Virginia Tech. "They're going to play with that. And we are too, because if we lose, we're done."

--Field Level Media