The Virginia Tech Hokies -- without multiple players they hoped would be part of their roster this season -- managed the opening game of the Charleston Classic as well as they reasonably could.
They definitely managed their first game in South Carolina better than the Alabama Crimson Tide. As a result, Virginia Tech will face the Northeastern Huskies in Friday's first semifinal of the pre-Thanksgiving tournament.
Virginia Tech entered Charleston without the services of Chris Clarke (suspension) and Landers Nolley (ineligible to play). The Hokies carried a limited bench into a three-games-in-four-days tournament.