Auburn, Virginia Tech pair up in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge

After a week-long Thanksgiving break for Bruce Pearl’s squad, Auburn is paired up with Virginia Tech in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge, posing a significant test for the Tigers before embarking on a two-game non-conference road trip.

“I knew this summer when we got the matchup that we're gonna have our hands full just from a standpoint of a style of play,” Pearl said Monday. ”It’s a team that's really, really dangerous because they got a bunch of guys that could really shoot it.”

With the long ball, Hunter Cattoor finds himself second in ACC standings in 3-pointers made and 17th nationally, shooting 39.3% from deep this season. Down in the paint, Lynn Kidd is quite the presence with a field goal percentage of 74.5 – ranking second in the nation.

But, Virginia Tech is also dynamite from the charity stripe, ranking No. 8 nationally in free-throw percentage (81.3%). The Hokies have made 15 more free throws than their opponents have attempted this season.

Despite the shooting success, the Hokies are coming off a rare night where the shots didn’t fall in an 84-50 loss to Florida Atlantic, a participant in last season’s Final Four, in the ESPN Events Invitational tournament championship in Orlando, Florida, this past Sunday. Virginia Tech only hit 33.3% from the field and went just 2-for-17 (11.8%) from long range.

In Mike Young’s 131 games as Tech’s head coach, the Hokies have shot 35% or worse from the field just nine times.

“They've got a culture of toughness and physicality. I would say that this is probably going to be the most solid defensive team that we go up against. They don't beat themselves,” Pearl said.

The Hokies were able to ramp up their defense down the stretch during their wins against Boise State and Iowa State in Orlando. Against the Broncos, the Hokies converted 16 turnovers into 27 points and forced Boise State to shoot 31.3% over the final 15 minutes of the game.

As its contest against the Cyclones came to an end, Virginia Tech held Iowa State to 3-of-10 shooting over the final six minutes, including a 1-for-6 clip from beyond the arc.

“I know I have a team that could score,” Pearl said. “Now, against Virginia Tech, we've got to take care of the ball because (they’re) not gonna let us get to (our) spots. (They) are gonna be physical…so (we) can't slop through things.”

Virginia Tech’s closing defense should be an intriguing matchup with an Auburn offense that has had a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign.

The Tigers are averaging 82.4 points per game this season. It is the fifth time under Pearl that the Tigers have averaged at least 80 points per game through the first five games of a season.

But, the offensive success this season hasn’t been on the backs of a few, with nine Tigers having scored in double figures in at least one game this season. Moving the ball around and leaning on the Tigers' depth has been a key early this season for Pearl’s team.

Auburn ranks No. 7 nationally and tied for first in the SEC, averaging 20 assists per game. The Tigers have recorded at least 18 assists in all five games this season, making them one of five NCAA Division I teams to register at least 18 assists in five games.

“These matchups, you know, they obviously matter to me. I want to represent our league,” Pearl said. “We still own the best nonconference record in the SEC over the last seven years, and I would still like to be able to say that in January.”

The Tigers’ 73-13 record in regular season nonconference games over the last seven-plus seasons will be put to the test as they face off against Virginia Tech Wednesday night inside Neville Arena with tipoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. CST and television coverage on ESPN2.

“Virginia Tech was a team that was right on the bubble last year for making the (NCAA) Tournament. Mike Young coaches teams that nobody really wants to play against because of how tough they are and how well-coached they are and what their culture is,” Pearl said.