During the ACC teleconference on Monday, Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young announced that guard Rodney Rice is expected to make his season debut at Syracuse on Wednesday.
A 6-4, 195-pound freshman from Clinton, Md., Rice was a top-100 prospect in the 2022 class. After arriving in Blacksburg, he suffered an ankle injury in August that required surgery.
Originally, Young hoped Dec. 31's game at Wake Forest would be Rice's potential return date, but the DeMatha Catholic product wasn't cleared by the medical staff until this week.
"We've been given the go-ahead, expect him to play on Wednesday," Young said of Rice on Monday. "He's been full speed for the last five or six [practices]. He's been really sharp."
The Hokies (11-5, 1-4 ACC) have lost four consecutive games since falling to Boston College in overtime on Dec. 21. Defeats at Wake Forest, vs. Clemson and vs. NC State followed, all without Hunter Cattoor, who suffered an elbow bruise in Chestnut Hill.
Rice's addition could provide a spark for a Tech team that is stretched thin and badly needs it. Young said the plan is to throw Rice into the fire around the 16 or 15-minute mark in the first half and let him get his feet wet. Though his minutes are not set in stone, his presence in the rotation could alleviate the pressure on guards Sean Pedulla, Darius Maddox and MJ Collins.
"He's a very good player, one that would be a real shot in the arm for us as we head into our next five in the league as he goes along and becomes more comfortable," Young said. "I'm excited, I'll put it that way. I'm excited to see how it transpires, but feel very good about him, his abilities. He's a very good player that we need to provide more offensive punch in the backcourt."
As far as Cattoor is concerned, Young said the veteran from Orlando, Fla. was expected to practice on Monday. Still, he's a game-time decision for Syracuse (7 p.m., RSN). Tech is 0-3 in his absence.