A meaningless play in a meaningless game left Virginia Tech short-handed heading into tonight’s game against Seton Hall in Cancun, Mexico. The Hokies’ best player, junior point guard Malcolm Delaney, sprained his left ankle a minute and a half into Wednesday’s 85-50 over Longwood. So Tech (11-1) will turn to freshman Erick Green, Delaney’s backup, who is averaging 13.7 minutes. Hokies coach Seth Greenberg had hoped Green could spell Delaney this season and allow him to sometimes play at shooting guard. But now Greenberg must rely on Green more than he expected. And not just tonight, either, because Delaney is questionable for Tech’s Jan. 10 ACC opener at North Carolina.

The on-court chemistry between Erick Green and Tristan Spurlock was impossible to miss Thursday night at American University’s Bender Arena. Here was Spurlock feeding Green for a midrange jump shot. There was Green lobbing an alley-oop pass to Spurlock for a behind-the-head dunk. Ninety seconds later, there was Green stealing the ball and passing ahead to Spurlock for a breakaway slam.