GAME NOTES: The Virginia Cavaliers are in last place in the ACC standings, and they will attempt to upset the third-place Virginia Tech Hokies this afternoon in Blacksburg. On Wednesday night, Virginia dropped an 85-75 decision to Maryland to fall to 2-4 in true games. The Cavaliers are 11-8 overall, but that record is clearly overshadowed by a dismal 1-5 league mark. As for Virginia Tech, it has won its last two games to move to 13-8 overall and 4-3 in ACC play. The most recent triumph came on Tuesday by an 89-80 final over Florida State, and the Hokies are 8-1 in front of the home crowd. Virginia owns a 78-48 series lead over Virginia Tech, but the Hokies posted a thrilling one-point overtime victory in the first meeting this season.

While the Cavaliers have struggled a great deal since the start of league play, the team still has a chance to win every time it takes the floor because of the presence of Sean Singletary. The explosive guard has the ability to dominate a game at the offensive end, and he is currently scoring 18.3 ppg to go with his 6.5 apg. Adding balance to the lineup for Virginia are Mamadi Diane (12.6 ppg), Adrian Joseph (11.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Calvin Baker (10.2 ppg). In the 10-point loss to Maryland on Wednesday, Singletary hit 9-of-17 shots from the floor en route to 23 points, and he did not have a single turnover in 34 minutes of action. Baker scored 17 points, Diane managed 16 points, and Mike Scott pulled down 12 rebounds. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers were outscored 23-13 from the foul line and permitted Maryland to shoot 51.9 percent from the field.

A.D. Vassallo is the top offensive performer for Virginia Tech, as he is scoring 16.0 ppg this season. Deron Washington checks in with 12.8 ppg, while Jeff Allen adds 12.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg. The Hokies are netting 69.0 ppg while limiting the opposition to 63.2 ppg on 40.1 percent shooting from the field. Against Florida State on Tuesday, VaTech attempted a staggering total of 47 foul shots and knocked down 35. Considering that the Seminoles only had 17 points from the charity stripe, that advantage proved to be key to the victory. A 31-24 rebounding advantage also helped the cause. Vassallo scored 22 points to lead five double-digit scorers. Hank Thorns had 15 points, and Washington posted 14 points and 10 rebounds. Malcolm Delaney pitched in 13 points, and J.T. Thompson added 11.

Virginia Tech should be able to complete the regular season sweep of the Cavaliers today. Expect Vassallo and Washington to lead the way as usual.