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Key Takeaways:
- Virginia Tech and Cal are set to face off on Saturday, both looking to rebound from disappointing losses.
- The Hokies are coming off a 69-68 loss to Stanford, while the Golden Bears fell 84-60 to No. 23 Virginia.
- Virginia Tech coach Mike Young remains confident in his team, saying "We’ve got a really good team coming in on Saturday. Really good."
- Cal coach Mark Madsen took responsibility for his team’s poor performance, saying "I didn’t have the guys ready to compete at a high enough level."
- The Golden Bears are looking to bounce back from a season-low point total and a poor rebounding effort against Virginia.
Introduction to the Matchup
The Virginia Tech Hokies and the Cal Golden Bears are set to face off on Saturday in a matchup of two teams looking to rebound from disappointing losses. The Hokies are coming off a heartbreaking 69-68 loss to Stanford, while the Golden Bears fell 84-60 to No. 23 Virginia. Both teams are looking to get back on track and prove themselves in the Atlantic Coast Conference. As Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said, "We’ve got a really good team coming in on Saturday. Really good. So, don’t let this cost us another one. Let’s get back in the gym and get better and be ready to play."
Virginia Tech’s Recent Performance
The Hokies’ loss to Stanford was a tough one to swallow, as they led by 12 points with just 2:18 remaining. However, the Cardinal mounted a 14-1 run to steal the victory. Despite the loss, Neoklis Avdalas scored 21 points to lead Virginia Tech, while Amani Hansberry recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Hokies also welcomed back forward Tobi Lawal, who had five points, three rebounds, and two blocks in 18 minutes in his first action since November 26. As Young noted, "Two losses is not going to break our back. We’ve got a lot more to look forward to and it’ll be a lot of fun."
Cal’s Recent Performance
The Golden Bears, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from a poor performance against Virginia. They were outrebounded 45-26 and held to a season-low point total. Cal coach Mark Madsen took responsibility for his team’s poor performance, saying "We did a poor job rebounding the ball and because of that, they were able to rack up almost 35 points in the paint. Then they started scoring off our turnovers. We didn’t rebound and we didn’t take care of the ball. I take responsibility for that. I didn’t have the guys ready to compete at a high enough level." Dai Dai Ames led the Golden Bears with 18 points, while Justin Pippen added 17 and John Camden had 15.
The Matchup
The matchup between Virginia Tech and Cal will be a intriguing one, as both teams look to prove themselves in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hokies will be looking to bounce back from their tough loss to Stanford, while the Golden Bears will be seeking to rebound from their poor performance against Virginia. As Young noted, "We’ve got a really good team coming in on Saturday. Really good." The Golden Bears will be looking to improve their rebounding and take care of the ball, while the Hokies will be seeking to build on their strong performance against Stanford. With both teams looking to get back on track, this matchup is sure to be an exciting one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the matchup between Virginia Tech and Cal is set to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to rebound from disappointing losses. The Hokies will be looking to build on their strong performance against Stanford, while the Golden Bears will be seeking to improve their rebounding and take care of the ball. As the two teams face off on Saturday, it will be a test of their strength and determination. With both teams looking to prove themselves in the Atlantic Coast Conference, this matchup is sure to be a thrilling one. As Young said, "Let’s get back in the gym and get better and be ready to play." The stage is set for a great game, and only time will tell which team will come out on top.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/cal-continues-acc-road-swing-at-virginia-tech/