It’s senior night here in Blacksburg, and senior players A.D. Vassallo and Cheick Diakite were recognized before the tipoff against North Carolina. Both players received loud cheers from the fans when their names were announced.

Vassallo, who played at Faith Christian Academy in Hurt before making his way to Blacksburg, was accompanied by his parents, Daniel Vassallo and Maria Colon as well as a grandmother. Diakite, who is from Mali, was accompanied by friends.

A couple of thoughts before tipoff …

**A common thread in all three of UNC’s losses were outstanding guard play by its opponents. BC’s Tyrese Rice had 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Eagles’ 85-78 win Jan. 4. Wake Forest’s Jeff Teague had 34 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Demon Deacons’ 92-89 win Jan. 11, and Greivis Vasquez had 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Maryland’s 88-85 overtime win Feb. 21.

With that in mind, Tech’s success will likely come down to the play of guards Malcolm Delaney and Hank Thorns. Thorns is expected back in the staring lineup tonight after missing Saturday’s game with an illness. His presence should help open things up for Delaney, who had his worst game of the season against the Blue Devils.

**Tonight’s starting lineups
Virginia Tech
F Jeff Allen
G Hank Thorns
G Malcolm Delaney
C Cheick Diakite
F/G A.D. Vassallo

UNC
G Ty Lawson
F/G Danny Green
F Deon Thompson
G Wayne Ellington
F Tyler Hansbrough