Hokies and Rams Set for High-Stakes Battle in the Bahamas
So, here’s what’s happening as Virginia Tech gets ready to face VCU in a matchup that hasn’t been seen in more than a decade. These two programs haven’t shared the court in 12 years, and now they’re being brought together in the third-place game at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. It’s not exactly where either team hoped to be, but the energy around this game is still high, especially since both squads are trying to bounce back after tough Thanksgiving losses.
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Virginia Tech comes into this one after a frustrating 77–66 defeat to Saint Mary’s — a game where they just couldn’t find their rhythm, particularly in the first half. Only 20 points were scored before the break, and the absence of Tobi Lawal, their top scorer and rebounder from last season, was felt immediately. Lawal had played in the opening-round win over Colorado State, but by Thursday he was in a walking boot. Coach Mike Young made it clear that the decision to sideline him was precautionary, but it still leaves a big gap inside for the Hokies.
Without their primary interior threat, shooting became a real struggle. The Hokies finished just 30.9% from the field, and one of the biggest surprises came from Jailen Bedford, who followed up a strong 7-for-9 performance on Wednesday by missing all 10 of his attempts against Saint Mary’s. Even so, there were bright spots. Amani Hansberry stepped up with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaden Schutt added 17 of his own, helping the team fight back after that rough opening stretch. Coach Young admitted the offensive issues were frustrating and said the team would be breaking things down to figure out what went wrong.
On the other side, VCU is also trying to steady itself after an 89–74 loss to No. 24 Vanderbilt. The Rams held the lead for only 18 seconds in that game, and first-year head coach Phil Martelli Jr. is still searching for the right lineup combinations. With 11 players averaging more than 12 minutes per game, it’s clear he’s exploring every option. The Rams have a balanced scoring structure, led by Charleston transfer Lazar Djokovic, a 6-foot-11 presence who brings size and roughly 12 points per game. Their backcourt trio — Jadrian Tracey, Nyk Lewis, and Terrence Hill Jr. — has also been steady, each averaging double digits.
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