As the Virginia Tech men's basketball team gears up for
the second half of conference play, and the stretch run in February that will
ultimately define this team, there are some statistics that illuminate the
surprising first half play of a team that few predicted would be in this
position. But, those statistics don't tell the conclusive story, and in fact
there is other evidence that falls in the category of
things-that-make-you-go-hmm.


There is no question that the Hokies, along with fellow
raft boat survivor Miami, have been the surprises thus far in the ACC, as well
as nationally. Tech has catapulted to fourth place in the conference, and three
of their four losses in conference play have come against the "Big
Three" of North Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke, who happen to occupy the
first three spots in the conference.