Tech, Penn State square off in Charleston Classic semifinals

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech and Penn State are set to clash in Friday’s first semifinal of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina. Both programs remained unbeaten at 4-0 and advanced after withstanding second-half rallies by their opposition on Thursday.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday, Nov. 18 | Noon ET
TD Arena (Charleston, S.C.)
vs. Penn State
Series: VT leads 6-4
Game Notes: Virginia Tech (PDF) | Penn State

TV Broadcast

ESPN2

Play-by-Play: Derek Jones

Analyst: Perry Clark

 

Local Radio

Virginia Tech Sports Network

Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey

Analyst: Mike Burnop

 

THE SERIES

• Virginia Tech claims a 6-4 edge in the all-time series with Penn State.
• Friday’s matchup between the Hokies and the Nittany Lions will be the third meeting between the two programs in the last five seasons.
• Penn State has won the previous three contests in the series, including a 75-55 decision over the 15th-ranked Hokies in Blacksburg on Dec. 8, 2020.
• This will be the second neutral-site matchup between the two sides. VT and PSU clashed in the 1966 Gator Bowl Tournament in Jacksonville, Florida – a 67- 65 Tech win.
• Four of the last six meetings have been decided by single digits.

 
COACH YOUNG VS. THE BIG TEN

• Coach Young is 2-1 against Big Ten competition since taking over the reins in Blacksburg. Those wins include a 71-66 upset over No. 3 Michigan State in the 2019 Maui Invitational and a 62-58 decision at Maryland last season.
• The one loss is to Penn State – 75-55 on Dec. 8, 2020.
• Young also recorded a win over Purdue, 69-66, on Dec. 19, 2007 while at Wofford.

 
 SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS

• Penn State (4-0) built a 21-point lead in the first half and fended off an impressive comeback by Furman to dispatch the Paladins, 73-68, in Thursday’s first game. Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy both chipped in 20 points to propel PSU into the winner’s bracket.
• The Nittany Lions have posted double-digit wins in each of their games prior to Furman, winning by an average of 15.3 points per game on the season.
• No opponent has scored more than 68 points on Penn State this season.
• Penn State is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2019-20.
• Friday’s game will feature two teams that like to let it rip from outside. Penn State averages 13.8 3-pointers made per game, while connecting at a 46.2% clip. Meanwhile, the Hokies convert 11.3 3-pointers per game at a 44.6%…