Tennessee basketball: 5 teams Vols should root for Sweet Sixteen games

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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Ahmed Hill #13 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts with teammates as time expires in the second half against the Liberty Flames during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019, in San Jose, California. Virginia Tech defeated Liberty 67-58. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No.3 – Virginia Tech Hokies (26-8)

Head coach: Buzz Williams
Atlantic Coast Conference

Much like LSU, the Virginia Tech Hokies could make some real noise on their side of the bracket as they take on Duke Friday night. At this point in the tournament, any team is going to be a tough out, however, if you asked 100 Vol fans if they would rather play Virginia Tech or Duke, 100 would say the Hokies.

The two teams met just one time in the regular season that ended with a 77-72 win for Virginia Tech, but Zion Williamson didn’t play. Despite Williamson’s absence, the Hokies shot 62.5 percent from inside the three-point line.

light. Related Story. 5 reasons Vols are a lock for the Final Four

Tech has basically slept-walked through the first two games against Saint Louis and Liberty. However, they have shot the ball well from the outside which is something they’ve done well all season long.

The Hokies shoot the three-point ball at a rate of 39.5 percent which ranks 9th in the country. In the tournament, they are shooting even better at a rate of 42.3 percent.

Kerry Blackshear is a monster down low and is a double-double threat every single game. However, Tennessee does well at keeping bigs in check. Much better than trying to stop Zion, right?

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