Virginia Tech Basketball: Ty Outlaw Cleared To Play vs. Duke

Virginia Tech basketball is in the middle of one of its best seasons in program history. The Hokies have already set a school record for victories with 26 and are in their first Sweet 16 since 1967. The team will have senior sharpshooter Ty Outlaw for the game, according to Yahoo Sports.
Outlaw was arrested for marijuana possession earlier in the week but passed a drug test to make him eligible to play. The police found marijuana in Outlaw’s apartment while the Hokies were out in California. His apartment was searched on March 21, the day after Virginia Tech had arrived in California. Outlaw was issued a summons after Virginia Tech had knocked off Liberty in the Round of 32.
The Hokies would have felt his absence in the lineup if he was unable to play in the Sweet 16 against Duke.


Outlaw is third in the ACC in three-point percentage at 45.6 and has yet to really find his form in the NCAA Tournament. He is only 3-8 from behind the arc, but has grabbed 18 rebounds for Virginia Tech so far. Kerry Blackshear Jr. and Landers Nolley are the only two players on the roster that are at least 6-foot-7 and Nolley has not played in a single game this year. Head coach Buzz Williams needs every available player to have the opportunity to knock off the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16.
The Hokies did beat Duke at home earlier this season without point guard Justin Robinson, but Zion Williamson was not playing in the either. Both teams will be playing at full strength, creating one of the most intriguing matchups in the Sweet 16. Outlaw is capable of catching fire from deep early on, which is something that Mike Krzyzewski will want to avoid. UCF almost pulled off the upset by hitting nine three-pointers in the Round of 32, which is the same number that Virginia Tech averages per game.
The Hokies have not needed the three-point line to advance to the Sweet 16, but they will need Outlaw’s expertise from behind the arc to make their first Elite Eight appearance since 1967.



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