GAME NOTES: A couple of teams moving in different directions clash at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta today, as the Virginia Tech Hokies challenge the George Tech Yellow Jackets in ACC play. The Hokies enter the contest on a roll, as they have won five of their last six outings, including three in a row. Most recently, the team slipped past Virginia in overtime on Wednesday, 70-69. It was the second league victory in a row for VaTech, which improved to 11-6 overall and 2-1 in conference. As for Georgia Tech, it has struggled of late, losing three straight and four of its last five contests. On Wednesday, the Yellow Jackets gave top-ranked North Carolina all it could handle before falling short in an 83-82 final. The loss kept the squad winless in league play at 0-3 and in the process dropped it to 7-9 overall. Today's tilt marks the 10th all-time meeting between these two clubs, with the Hokies holding a 7-2 edge in the series.

Deron Washington converted a layup at the buzzer in overtime, lifting Virginia Tech to a thrilling 70-69 victory over Virginia on Wednesday. Washington finished the game with 11 points, while A.D. Vassallo headed the charge with 22 points and five boards. Jeff Allen tallied 11 points and grabbed eight caroms for the Hokies, who limited the Cavaliers to 38.1 percent shooting from the field. On the season, VaTech has done a great job in slowing down its foes, holding them to a mere 59.5 ppg and a lackluster 38.7 percent shooting effort. Offensively, the team is paced by Vassallo, who turns in 16.1 ppg on the strength of 42.1 percent shooting from three-point range. Allen is the team's top rebounder at 8.2 rpg and he also chips in with 12.8 ppg, while Washington adds 12.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg to the mix.

Trailing by a point in the closing moments, Georgia Tech's Zack Peacock had a shot blocked, which he then retrieved and missed on an open look, as North Carolina escaped with the narrow win. Despite not being able to give his team the win, Peacock had a rather solid game, registering a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremis Smith posted a team-high 15 points and he grabbed seven caroms, while Anthony Morrow and Gani Lawal each chipped in with 13 points. GaTech shot 45.2 percent from the floor in the game and also made good on 8-of-21 three-point attempts. On the season, the Yellow Jackets are hitting 46.8 percent of their field goal attempts and that has helped them to average a solid 76.6 ppg. Morrow tops the roster in scoring at 14.9 ppg and he is snaring 5.1 rpg and shooting 45.9 percent from long range. Lewis Clinch is next in line with 12.4 ppg and Smith follows with 10.1 ppg, to go along with a team-high 7.2 rpg.

The Hokies are playing with a great deal of confidence right now and behind another strong defensive effort they should be able to slip by a demoralized Yellow Jackets squad today.