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Virginia Tech Falls to SMU on Buzzer-Beater Heartbreak

1/16/2026

34 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Virginia Tech Hokies lost 77-76 to SMU on January 14, 2026, after Boopie Miller's half-court buzzer-beater.
They led by four with 29 seconds remaining but faltered, letting SMU capitalize on free throws and a turnover.
Virginia Tech's NET ranking rose to No. 55, while SMU fell to No. 32.
The Hokies stand 2-3 in the ACC and will host Notre Dame next, aiming to rebound.

History

Historical Context

In the 1985 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Villanova, an No. 8 seed, achieved a historic upset by defeating top-seeded Georgetown 66-64 on April 1. This victory, led by coach Rollie Massimino, marked the first time a lower-seeded team won the championship, reshaping perceptions of college basketball and highlighting the competitive nature of tournaments, where strategy and resilience are crucial.

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Story summary

The Virginia Tech Hokies lost 77-76 to SMU on January 14, 2026, after Boopie Miller's half-court buzzer-beater.
They led by four with 29 seconds remaining but faltered, letting SMU capitalize on free throws and a turnover.
Virginia Tech's NET ranking rose to No. 55, while SMU fell to No. 32.
The Hokies stand 2-3 in the ACC and will host Notre Dame next, aiming to rebound.

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