After going 11-2 in the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team began ACC play on Wednesday afternoon at home against Virginia in the first of two Commonwealth Clashes. The Hokies played the game shorthanded without Tobi Lawal, Tyler Johnson, or Antonio Dorn. Johnson was a late addition to the injury report.
Virginia Tech and Virginia engaged in an instant classic going triple overtime before the Hokies were able to finally pull away in the third OT for the 95-85 win over the Cavaliers. Ben Hammond has been huge this season for Tech and dropped a career-high 30 points to lead the Hokies to a résumé-building win over the Cavaliers.