Virginia Tech and Providence will both be looking to begin the season with back-to-back victories when they meet Saturday in a nonconference matchup at the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off event in Uncasville, Conn.

The depth of Providence's roster was evident during a season-opening 89-79 victory over Holy Cross on Monday. The Friars had a 27-0 edge in points off the bench at halftime and the team's reserves scored 44 of the 89 points in the win.

"It's good to be back," Providence coach Kim English said. "First game and there's still a lot of stuff we need to clean up. ... I'm really proud of our young guys, our bench. That is what a bench is supposed to do. The bench is supposed to withstand a good start or elevate a not-so-good start. These guys got in the game and did that.

" ... The

See Full Page